AMD computer build advice

Check6

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Hi,

AS many have done, Im building a new computer to play battlefield 3 and reached an ultimatum mostly concerning either the

AMD FX-8120 or the FX-6100 CPU

OR

A AMD Radeon 6950 or 6970

Approx purchase date: Roughly on or slightly after black friday in hopes of finding a deal or 2 on Monitors, HDD, etc.

Budget: Approx: $1000-1500 after tax, shipping, etc. Im frugal minded

System Usage:[b/] Mostly gaming and multitasking (e.g. internet browsing, music, multiple word, excel, powerpoint programs running)

Parts Not Required
: Computer case, Power Supply, and Mouse (Thermaltake Element G VL18501W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Gaming Case), Power supply (850W Modular Power Supply / comes with case)

Found Here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133175

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Mostly Newegg.com but am willingly to look other places

Country of Origin: United States, California

Parts Preferences Decided AMD cpu

Overclocking: Most likely

SLI or Crossfire: yes

Monitor Resolution: most likely 1920x1080, looking for a 23.6in or 24in monitor

Additional Comments: I chose an AMD cpu because i couldnt find any motheboards with a LGA1155 cpu socket that support dual x16. I plan on running an SLI or crossover setup eventually so dual x16 helps or so ive read.

I know the performance difference between the 6950 & 6970 is small in regards to price paid but im curious as to what others think

Parts I plan to Buy:

Debating between the AMD FX-6100 and the FX-8120

AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz 8MB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961

MD FX-6100 Zambezi 3.3GHz 6MB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache Socket AM3+ 95W Six-Core CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103962

ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131736

SAPPHIRE 100312-3SR Radeon HD 6950 Dirt3 Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

ViewSonic VX2453mh-LED Black 23.6" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 DC 30,000,000:1 (1,000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116479

I apologize for the large post but i like to be thorough in my research before buying parts.

Thank in advance to those who respond, your input and advice is greatly appreciated!!
Evan
 
Solution
Disclaimer: my primary system is AMD, on an Asus Sabertooth 990FX. I'm not now, but I did anticipate the possibility of running multiple GPUs in the future.
Ok, with that out of the way, before you build a system with the intention of running multiple graphics cards, read this: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/03/amd_fx8150_multigpu_gameplay_performance_review . It may not change your mind, but it should certainly clarify that x16,x16 PCIE slots are not what makes the biggest performance difference.

Check6

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Ive consider that. Only reason im considering the AMD FX-8120 is that it is a $40 difference from the FX-6100 and I plan on keeping the computer for a few years.

Ive seen the benchmarks but would there be considerable performance difference between the FX-8120 and the FX-6100?
 

hanhoffcustompcs

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yeah i would have to say most games now dont even use all of the processors. I mean they use them all somewhat but the gpu is really going to make the difference. Either way, in 2 years, you will be looking for a bigger and better one :)
 
Disclaimer: my primary system is AMD, on an Asus Sabertooth 990FX. I'm not now, but I did anticipate the possibility of running multiple GPUs in the future.
Ok, with that out of the way, before you build a system with the intention of running multiple graphics cards, read this: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/03/amd_fx8150_multigpu_gameplay_performance_review . It may not change your mind, but it should certainly clarify that x16,x16 PCIE slots are not what makes the biggest performance difference.
 
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Check6

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Hanhoffcustom,

I agree that most games are usually GPU dominant. I believe Battlefield 3 is espically among those games that are. and yes always upgrading, a never ending cycle ha



I was originally set on buying an i5 2500k but from hearing that dual x16 was the main thing when running SLI i converted, almost regrettably to the AMD knowing that intel was just better in just about every way.

Now im beginning to think i should go back to an i5 2500k setup.

Do you think this may be a driver issue that could result in those lows numbers for AMD CPUs in SLI and maybe get better with the release of a new driver?

Thank you much JTT283

 

Check6

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Yea, exactly. think this is probably an AMD thing though. maybe related to their new bulldozer CPU series
 
Drivers (from either nVidia or AMD/ATi) can be problematic, especially new ones. Tom's did an article a while back where SLI on an AMD mobo (chipset was 750i iirc) did not perform anywhere near as well as SLI on an Intel board (X58? I forget). The article did not address possible causes, but it certainly looked like a CPU issue.