Best AMD CPU for Gaming?

[voiidwulf]

I am going to build a computer in about a month, and I'm kind of conflicted as to wether I should get an AMD CPU or an Intel one. The AMD CPU's are so cheap, and looking at the stats, seem perfect.
For example, the FX 4170:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106009
It has a stock clock speed of 4.2 GHz. That's pretty awesome IMO, comparing that to the $100 more 3570K's 3.4 GHz.

I was going to get an Intel CPU, but it doesn't really fit my budget very well. The extra $100 kind of screws things up.

So basically, would I be OK with an AMD, and if I were to get one, which one is best?

Heres the rest of the specs:
AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256bit
8GB G.Skill 1600 MHz RAM
500GB Seagate 7200RPM HDD

Thanks,

 

[bartholomew]

Phenom II x4 965BE + some crazy Overclocking = Best AMD gaming CPU

 

[voiidwulf]

This one?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

How much do you think I could OC it to with the Hyper 212+?

 

[nekulturny]

This one?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

How much do you think I could OC it to with the Hyper 212+?

Yes that. and Yes again. 4.2-4.4GHZ is a Phenom II's typical limit.

 

[voiidwulf]

Ok, thank you. So the game performance would be OK at like 4.0 GHz?

 

[nekulturny]

It would be just fine when paired with a good video card like a 7850 yes.

 

[voiidwulf]

Ok, thanks. One more question. If I had $100 more, would it make more sense to get a $350 GPU instead of the $250 7850, or get the i5 3570K instead of the Phenom II?

 

[amuffin]

3570K=Waste of money, grab the 2500k instead.

 

[voiidwulf]

Well, I don't want to disagree with you since you clearly know way more than me, but honestly, it's $10 more...

EDIT: Lol, that sounded kind of sarcastic. Didn't mean it that way.

 

[nekulturny]

Ok, thanks. One more question. If I had $100 more, would it make more sense to get a $350 GPU instead of the $250 7850, or get the i5 3570K instead of the Phenom II?

I would say it really depends on several factors. Although I will say I agree with muffin, grab the 2500K. $10 dollars is 10 dollars and my opinion Ivy doesn't deserve to be paid a single penny more for than a Sandy.

Some of the factors it would depend on:

1. What games you're playing. If you're doing heavy intensive games a lot like Starcraft II and Skyrim, then go ahead and grab the 2500K and keep the 7850.

2. What resolutions. If you're playing on an old VGA monitor, honestly the 7850 is probably overkill. If you're got a nice 22 inch+ 1080p monitor and expect to play games in super high resolutions, then you're better off with the stronger GPU, maybe even step up to a 7870.

 

[amuffin]

I vote for the GTX 480!

 

[nekulturny]

Yea the 480s are awesomely priced now. I know if Recon were here he'd be all over this thread. Bless their heart, they suck gas like an old Ford with a 351 Windsor 4 barrel, but damn do they haul ass.

 

[amuffin]

Yea the 480s are awesomely priced now. I know if Recon were here he'd be all over this thread. Bless their heart, they suck gas like an old Ford with a 351 Windsor 4 barrel, but damn do they haul ass.

He got banned

 

[nekulturny]

Aww. Really? We'd fight to hell and back over AMD and Intel but I loved the guy.

 

[voiidwulf]

It's a 1920 x 1080 24inch monitor.

So, if I were to SLI two GTX 480s with the Phenom II, would that be better than a single 7850 with a 2500K?

 

[nekulturny]

Technically yes. But something you need to consider is that GTX 480s, I'm not kidding, they're huge power hogs, they also run hot as hell. I would suggest getting a single GTX 670 if you have the budget for 2 GTX 480s.

 

[amuffin]

GTX 480's are only $210 at Microcenter!

 

[nekulturny]

Yea and a single GTX 670 is $400 at Newegg lol.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423
Edited, wrong number.

 

[voiidwulf]

Woah, yeah. Quick google search told me that SLIed 480s seem to draw like 700 W total. Wow.

At what point would the CPU bottleneck the system?

 

[nekulturny]

Yea, lol. But keep in mind thats the draw for the whole system at the wall. The measurements are taken with a kill-a-watt meter usually.

http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU

 

[voiidwulf]

Oh, I thought it ment like 700W + the CPU and stuff. I edited my last post, but I will repeat since you might not of seen it.

At what point would the CPU bottleneck the system? (With the Phenom II)

 

[nekulturny]

It wouldn't at all, again technically. But like I mentioned before, there are a handful of games on the market that are more CPU intensive, in which case the CPU would hold back the GTX 670. If you're curious which games these are, these are generally the ones that Tom's and other sites use to benchmark (since they want games that really test out the CPU), Skyrim, Starcraft II, Dirt 3, Metro 2033 (which is a friggin cluster0000 with its FPS rates no matter what CPU you use it seems to me), and Crysis. Even so, these games would still be completely playable at fully maxed settings.

 

[ROad86]

From my point of view if you are tight on bugdet buy an am3+ mb with an Fx-4170(this is at 4,2 or I am wrong?) 8gb of ram a reasonable fast HDD and a 7850. Later you can upgrade your cpu with the piledriver version at the end of 2013 for example whne you will find them extremely cheap like phenom II and probably add another 7850 for crossfire.

 

[voiidwulf]

Ok, thanks for your help.
Btw, nice kitteh in your avatar. :3

 

[voiidwulf]

Best answer selected by VoiidWulf.