Need Help Selecting a Graphics Card

[vovchikthebest]

Hello,
I am a beginner who wants to build his own computer and am now searching for a graphics card. I am most likely planning to use an AMD FX-8150 CPU. I havent decided on the mother board yet as I believe that it is better to select the components going on the motherboard first and then select the motherboard to fit those components (if I am wrong please correct me) . I have heard that AMD CPUs work well with AMD GPUs. Is that true?
I am looking for a graphics card in the $100-$200 range. The main use for the computer will be playing and recording games such as minecraft. Is the 100-200 price range too low for that.
Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Shockattackr]

Why are you throwing money at a FX 8150?

 

[vovchikthebest]

I am totally new at this and one of my friends recommended it. Is that processor to overkill for what I am planning to use the computer for?

 

[Shockattackr]

its a waste. It is a bad processor to be honest. I dont like any of the FX series

Best Bet is to step down to a FX 4100 use the money saved to invest in a better Video Card

 

[vovchikthebest]

Would investing in an intel processor be better? I have heard that they are more stable and faster than AMD processors?

 

[Shockattackr]

FX 4100 -- then do some shopping around at newegg. find a Motherboard that is AM3+ so your Processor will work, also look at something like Saphhire AMD Radeon 6770 for your Video Card

 

[vovchikthebest]

Thank you for your feedback and help.

 

[dudewitbow]

if you are going amd, its better in the slightly more low end for ALL around purposes as intel cannot cope with certain low end quad core gaming compared to amd. if you have no use for quad cores, then you can make a intel build. the reason why the FX chips are usually untalked about because the performance difference between the phenom 2 and the FX series are so small, that the price difference is extremely negligable. If you want an FX series chip, i would advise waiting for FX Piledriver, if not, an intel based solution will probably be better.

 

[vovchikthebest]

FX 4100 -- then do some shopping around at newegg. find a Motherboard that is AM3+ so your Processor will work, also look at something like Saphhire AMD Radeon 6770 for your Video Card

So if I was to save money on the processor by getting an FX 4100 would there be a better card for my purpose in the 150-250 range?

 

[vovchikthebest]

if you are going amd, its better in the slightly more low end for ALL around purposes as intel cannot cope with certain low end quad core gaming compared to amd. if you have no use for quad cores, then you can make a intel build. the reason why the FX chips are usually untalked about because the performance difference between the phenom 2 and the FX series are so small, that the price difference is extremely negligable. If you want an FX series chip, i would advise waiting for FX Piledriver, if not, an intel based solution will probably be better.

Would a Intel i5-3570 be better than the fx-8150?

 

[dudewitbow]

Would a Intel i5-3570 be better than the fx-8150?

gaming wise, yes, editing wise, it sorta trades blows and both sides have stregnths in one thing and weaknesses in others.

 

[vovchikthebest]

gaming wise, yes, editing wise, it sorta trades blows and both sides have stregnths in one thing and weaknesses in others.

Do you have any recommendations on graphics cards?
Also would it be worth getting i5-3570k for a few extra dollars if I ever decide to overclock?

 

[dudewitbow]

Do you have any recommendations on graphics cards?

specific price range in question? assuming you are keeping the 150-250 range the cards will be:

HD 6850<HD 6870 ~ Gtx 560< HD 6950 ~ Gtx 560ti < HD 7850 ~ Gtx 570

dark horse choice will be the reference gtx 480 which is better than the above at a slightly lower price at the cost overall efficiency outside of in game performance. If you can push your budget a bit higher than your original 250 cap, the HD 7870 is a fine choice for a newer architecture and good headroom to overclock if you ever want to experiment with it.

 

[vovchikthebest]

specific price range in question? assuming you are keeping the 150-250 range the cards will be:

HD 6850<HD 6870 ~ Gtx 560< HD 6950 ~ Gtx 560ti < HD 7850 ~ Gtx 570

dark horse choice will be the reference gtx 480 which is better than the above at a slightly lower price at the cost overall efficiency outside of in game performance. If you can push your budget a bit higher than your original 250 cap, the HD 7870 is a fine choice for a newer architecture and good headroom to overclock if you ever want to experiment with it.

Also would it be worth getting i5-3570k for a few extra dollars if I ever decide to overclock?

 

[dudewitbow]

Also would it be worth getting i5-3570k for a few extra dollars if I ever decide to overclock?

if you ever want that overclocking choice to your leisure, yes, but games will not fully utilize the clocks speed full potential for awhile. you will only see a larger performance gain through synthetic benchmarks and non gaming work based on time.

 

[Smeg45]

The 4170 FX is a solid gaming choice. It will do the job.