200-300$ CPU&GPU Combo

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footlong96

footlong96

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Hi. Im new to forums in general. I get the gist of things (I think). I have been trying to decide what to buy lately. Im trying to get a gaming rig. Not something super powerful. Just casual gaming. BF3 on medium. 30-60fps. I was thinking of an A8 3870k with an HD6670. If i were to get this, should i get a DDR5 version with 2gb or just 1GB?

My other option was to get a phenom II X4 965 and pair it with a 560 or a 550ti. I dont really know which is stronger or if i should go with a similar AMD Radeon Card instead.

PS. Resolution can alter from 720p to 1080p. not really picky as long as its >720P.



Other thoughts where an intel i3 or something similar but i was wondering if it would perform as well on multithreaded apps compared to one of the amd quads.

Anythoughts?
 
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Hm, from a personal opinion, for the CPU, either an I3-2100 or a 955/965 would do great (I'm suggesting a BE, but since they've been in quite scarce quantities and if you do stumble upon one, usually they are overpriced).

For the video card, anything along the lines of a 6870 or a 560 would suffice at 1920x1080.

On Amazon:
CPU:
Intel Core i3-2100 Dual-Core Processor 3.1 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32100
$117.59
OR
AMD Phenom II X4 965 AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ
$109.99

Video Card:
MSI Radeon HD 6870 1 GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity R6870 Twin Frozr II
$153.29
OR
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics...
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FinneousPJ

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bigcyco1

bigcyco1

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This but switch to the evga 560 i found it's better :na:
 
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footlong96

footlong96

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Is the 6850 faster than the 560 and the 6670 crossfired A8?
 
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abegnale

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Hm, from a personal opinion, for the CPU, either an I3-2100 or a 955/965 would do great (I'm suggesting a BE, but since they've been in quite scarce quantities and if you do stumble upon one, usually they are overpriced).

For the video card, anything along the lines of a 6870 or a 560 would suffice at 1920x1080.

On Amazon:
CPU:
Intel Core i3-2100 Dual-Core Processor 3.1 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32100
$117.59
OR
AMD Phenom II X4 965 AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ
$109.99

Video Card:
MSI Radeon HD 6870 1 GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity R6870 Twin Frozr II
$153.29
OR
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 01G-P3-1463-KR
$169.99

Any combination would keep you below your $300 cap for the CPU/GPU combo.

I think a 2GB video card is more for multi-monitors (please correct if I'm wrong). I've been using 1GB on my 24" @ 1920x1080 mostly on max settings (except for Witcher 2 where my 6870 was brought to it's knees).

Hope this helps.
 
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bigcyco1

bigcyco1

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Feb 11, 2012
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+1 all good advice i agree with it all :)
 
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abegnale

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I'd think it won't really max out a top-end video card but the loss is not huge in relation to it's price point.

I think for the price and performance they give, they're a great match.

Please check this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120-3.html

The CPUs (both the I3 and the 955) can drive the 7970 (not at 100% though) but it's a good representation of what power the CPUs have at their bracket when paired with a top-end card.
 
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footlong96

footlong96

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abegnale

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Yes, they're neck and neck :) I had the XFX 6870 but am switching to the eVGA 560 (once I get it, long story). Why the switch? Personally, just driver support and development.

Overall, Although I have the 955 (OC'ed to 3800), I'd opt for the I3. They are about the same (give or take) in games and the I3 pulls less energy and has newer architecture. If you're used to and just like fiddling around with OC settings, of course, the 955/965's the toy you want to play with (I think the I3 stock vs my 955 OC'ed would just be a fair match though).

In the end, it's just really preference. Given the chance, I'd switch, but I'm already happy with a 955 and a 6870 or a 560.
 
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abegnale

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And I'm an AMD fan but I'm recommending the I3 :p I think it's just really preference and what the PC will do most of the time. That'll be the toss right there.
 
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footlong96

footlong96

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Im an Intel fan as well, but unfortunately my wallet isnt. :lol:

Idk decisions decisions.
Im guessing the i3 cant be overclocked at all?
 
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abegnale

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A small bump on the base clock from what I've read but look at it this way, OC'ing the PII would mean more power draw just to match the I3 at stock on some applications. The PII is a fun toy though. I've been playing around with different combinations of settings seeing how far I can push it.

Honestly, any of the two would be a safe choice. at the price bracket, they're both great performers.
I'd suggest a good board for either so that you can have an upgrade path if you feel you're being left behind i.e. an AM3+ socket for the PII opens up bulldozer or piledriver (if AMD delivers better performance) in the future...
 
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footlong96

footlong96

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AMD is going to continue to use teh AM3+ Socket?
 
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