AMD FX-8120 Eight-Core vs AMD FX-6300 Six-Core

[ruskininja]

I'm pretty new to computer components and I'm building a PC, I'm wondering if the AMD FX-6300 Six-Core CPU is better than the AMD FX-8120 Eight-Core CPU? What does this CPU Mark mean and why is this cheaper CPU better according to this test?

 

[mocchan]

AMD FX-8120 is very similar to the AMD FX-8150. Knowing that, here's a benchmark on AnandTech. - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=434

It depends on what you're doing. If the work you're doing is highly multi-threaded, the FX-8120 will perform a little better.

However, I believe the benchmarks you linked rate the FX-6300 a little higher is due to the price/performance ratio. It comes in at a price point ~$20 cheaper than the FX-8120 and can pump out just as much performance.

Also, on a side note, the FX-6300 has the 'second generation' Bulldozer module called Piledriver. It's known to be 7-15% faster than the old Bulldozer CPU's which is most likely why the FX-6300 performs so well.

Here's how you can recognise Bulldozer CPU's from Piledriver CPU's -

FX-81XX, FX-61XX, FX-41XX CPU's are all Bulldozer chips.
FX-83XX, FX-63XX, FX-43XX CPU's are all Piledriver chips.

 

[ruskininja]

AMD FX-8120 is very similar to the AMD FX-8150. Knowing that, here's a benchmark on AnandTech. - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=434

It depends on what you're doing. If the work you're doing is highly multi-threaded, the FX-8120 will perform a little better.

However, I believe the benchmarks you linked rate the FX-6300 a little higher is due to the price/performance ratio. It comes in at a price point ~$20 cheaper than the FX-8120 and can pump out just as much performance.

Also, on a side note, the FX-6300 has the 'second generation' Bulldozer module called Piledriver. It's known to be 7-15% faster than the old Bulldozer CPU's which is most likely why the FX-6300 performs so well.

Here's how you can recognise Bulldozer CPU's from Piledriver CPU's -

FX-81XX, FX-61XX, FX-41XX CPU's are all Bulldozer chips.
FX-83XX, FX-63XX, FX-43XX CPU's are all Piledriver chips.

I've been hearing some great things about Piledriver, so which would be better for gaming/video editing?

 

[$hawn]

For gaming, the 6300 is better, because of higher clock speeds and improved IPC of piledriver.
For video editing the 8150, because it has 2 more cores

 

[mocchan]

Basically, $hawn answered your question.

For a similar price, the FX-8320 would be a great CPU for video rendering. For very heavily threaded tasks, it's a beast considering the price point and overclockability of these chips.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/57446-fx-8350-cpu-review-amds-vishera-arrives-21.html

 

[ruskininja]

Thanks guys for the help , IMMA MAKE MY PC!

Now that I've decided upon my CPU, here's the rest of the build...I can't decide on a motherboard now, what's the best motherboard I can get for the best price?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($167.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.94 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($46.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G215HVAbd 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $713.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

*EDIT* Yeah, I saw that CPU, I would definitely choose that over the other two in a heartbeat, but I have a budget I gotta keep and that one is just barely tipping the scale.

 

[mocchan]

On second thought, what is your budget? You may be able to squeeze in an i5 build if it's around $850

**EDIT**

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($186.97 @ CompUSA)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $775.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

FX-6300 vs i5 3470 (same clocks as 3450) - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/702?vs=699

 

[ruskininja]

On second thought, what is your budget? You may be able to squeeze in an i5 build if it's around $850

**EDIT**

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($186.97 @ CompUSA)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.93 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $775.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I'm trying to stay under $800

 

[mocchan]

I'm trying to stay under $800

The parts list I made for you is right in your ballpark.

 

[ruskininja]

The parts list I made for you is right in your ballpark.

Oh, sorry, just realized your edit.

 

[mocchan]

Oh, sorry, just realized your edit.

 

[ruskininja]

Eh...I still prefer the AMD FX-6300...do you know a good motherboard for it?

 

[witcherx]

I built my new comp similar to yours 3 weeks back but Amd vishera was not yet released..

and i bought this.. Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131758
I Have
amd Fx 6100
Msi Twin Frozr 7850

I use it mostly to play Games.

it runs cool.. and boot time is fast on my
Windows home edition.

Check here for Bios flash requirement.

http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&m=M5A88-M&cpu=FX-6300(FD6300WMW6KHK),3.5GHz,6C,95W,rev.C0,AM3+&pcb=ALL&sincebios=1401&memo=

 

[dodger46]

Just a thought, when considering Fx-6300 v Fx-8120 shouldn't the type of game come into it? ie if the OP is playing Strategy type Multiplayer games, Battlefield etc. wouldn't the 8120 be 1st choice based on Hyperthreading/No. of cores?

 

[chriscornell]

The money you save by choosing the AMD platform over an Intel one, are going to be spend extra on next years electricity bill because AMD-chips are so inefficient:

http://www.techspot.com/review/586-amd-fx-8350-fx-6300/page7.html

Is it really worth it?

Not a fanboi - just saying.

 

[dodger46]

The money you save by choosing the AMD platform over an Intel one, are going to be spend extra on next years electricity bill because AMD-chips are so inefficient:

http://www.techspot.com/review/586-amd-fx-8350-fx-6300/page7.html

Is it really worth it?

Not a fanboi - just saying.

Of course! He'll be able to turn the Central Heating off ...

 

[chriscornell]

Of course! He'll be able to turn the Central Heating off ...

 

[photonboy]

*Figure out your CPU budget and look up GAMING PERFORMANCE relative to other CPU's. At $800 budget and for future proofing I recommend something more like this:

My advice for the CORE components is this:
1. Asrock or similar motherboard using 1155/Z77, about $100
2. Intel i5-3570K, about $220
3. HD7850/GTX660 (read benchmarks. Prices change. Investigate the new AMD "never settle" game bonuses.

4. Antec/Corsair or similar power supply (look for SALES at NCIX etc)
5. CASE-> Antec or similar case for as little as $40 (Antec three hundred?)
6. 8GB DDR3 1600MHz (about $40, get 2x4GB)
7. Windows 8 OEM

Now, I'll no doubt get people say "don't spend so much on the CPU" and there is a good argument there, however there are an increasing number of games needing three or more cores and it will save you money in the long run.

**You really need to look at GAMING BENCHMARKS for your chosen CPU. I haven't seen anything that suggests AMD is the way to go for a Medium/High gaming build.

 

[photonboy]

"For those building a fresh rig from scratch, Ivy Bridge will likely still be more attractive thanks to its superior single thread performance and efficiency."

More info here, but I agree totally:
http://www.techspot.com/review/586-amd-fx-8350-fx-6300/page8.html

*Note that the POWER consumption is far greater with AMD as well. Not only will you that slowly cost in electricity but if you're like me in a small room that heats up it's critical.

 

[witcherx]

**You really need to look at GAMING BENCHMARKS for your chosen CPU. I haven't seen anything that suggests AMD is the way to go for a Medium/High gaming build.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-8350-vishera-review,3328-13.html


Check those benchmarks..

You havent seen or are you blind... those benchmarks clearly suggests that you can ***USE*** AMD for Medium/High/Ultra Gaming build.

Anyways it depends on what you want to use.

 

[witcherx]

and when the OP is saying he prefers..

***** AMD FX-6300 *****

and wants suggestion on a mother board...

Why would you all still keep him pushing to intel??
stop being fanboys...

 

[ruskininja]

and when the OP is saying he prefers..

***** AMD FX-6300 *****

and wants suggestion on a mother board...

Why would you all still keep him pushing to intel??
stop being fanboys...

Yeah, kinda how I feel...I love intel and all, but AMD is better power for the budget.

 

[ruskininja]

I built my new comp similar to yours 3 weeks back but Amd vishera was not yet released..

and i bought this.. Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131758
I Have
amd Fx 6100
Msi Twin Frozr 7850

I use it mostly to play Games.

it runs cool.. and boot time is fast on my
Windows home edition.

Check here for Bios flash requirement.

http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&m=M5A88-M&cpu=FX-6300(FD6300WMW6KHK),3.5GHz,6C,95W,rev.C0,AM3+&pcb=ALL&sincebios=1401&memo=

Thanks btw for giving me a motherboard suggestion, but I need to trim it down as much as possible, would this work?
ASRock 970 PRO3

 

[witcherx]

The ASrock Mobo comes with a 1 year warranty only and it is a crossfire mobo..
Do you intend to do crossfire in the future?

Have a look at this..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131873

 

[photonboy]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-8350-vishera-review,3328-13.html


Check those benchmarks..

You havent seen or are you blind... those benchmarks clearly suggests that you can ***USE*** AMD for Medium/High/Ultra Gaming build.

Anyways it depends on what you want to use.

I'm not "blind" but if you weigh the PROS and CONS most reviews go with Intel. This is the CONCLUSION from the article you linked:

"Although I’m impressed by the work AMD’s architects have done in the last year, performance remains too workload-dependent. And, inexpensive energy aside, I’m going to go with the more efficient implementation when all else is close to equal."

It's not worth arguing about, and that's why I said simply to look at the benchmarks himself. Again, though, I do think the POWER CONSUMPTION is very important, especially when you overclock.

And the benchmarks, you linked to the BF3 which is bottlenecked by the GPU, skip ahead one page and look at SKYRIM:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-8350-vishera-review,3328-14.html

Wow, look at how poorly the AMD CPU's do here!
The $220 i5-3570K beats the FX-8350 by 30% and the FX-8150 by 54%!!!