I need some HONEST opinions on a Fx-4100 and AMD Radeon hd 7770

[creeperizspy]

I have been browsing for a gaming computer for some time. I found a deal with Ibuypower, where i can get a decent budget gaming cpu with an amd 7770 and fx-4100. The price is pretty fair, and I get a wireless mouse and keyboard with a monitor.

Id like HONEST opinions on how these parts will preform on game like League of Legends, Skyrim, BF3 and most modern games that are out or are coming out today. Ive heard MANY MANY mixed opinions on the processor and the gpu. My objective is to play these games on relatively high settings. I know that benchmarks spell out how certain parts work, but not with certain setups such as my specific build. If you have experience with these parts and could give some insight or instructions for when the cpu arrives on how to improve its performance if it needs it id be appreciative.

If it needs some preference changing to improve the performance:

Im not too comfortable with overclocking yet, so if there are some simple steps to improve its performance that you would tell me that would be nice. I know specs help with this stuff so ill list them below:

Case
(NZXT Source 210 Chassis, Black)
Motherboard & Processor
(AMD FX-4100 Processor with Motherboard)
Operating System
(Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-Bit Edition)
Memory
(4 x 2GB = 8GB DDR3-1333 Gaming Grade Memory Module)
Hard Drive
(500GB 7200RPM Hard Disk Drive)
Graphics Card
(AMD Radeon HD 7770 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card)
Optical Drive
(24X DVD+/-RW DL Optical Drive)
Monitors
(HKC 19" LED Widescreen Monitor (N1812) with 1366 x 768 resolution)
Keyboard Mouse
(Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800 Keyboard and Mouse 2LF-00001)

Thanks in advance

 

[lchrisk]

I could build that pc for $300 or around there.

Buying a pre-built is a ripoff. Just build your own.

That pc won't run bf3 on ultra without lagging like crazy. Your monitor screen res is pretty low, so medium graphics would be okay. The FX series of processors aren't very good, especially the first generation, which is what that pc has. FX-4100 is not reliable.

Guessing, that build is around $500 on that website. Build this pc yourself and you'll smash that other one.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nPaD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nPaD/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nPaD/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI 760GM-P21 (FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $495.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 11:46 EST-0500)

This recks the other build, and it's just short of $500 too.

 

[wanderer11]

I like what lchrisk put together. If you want help putting it together just let us know. It's really simply and will probably take you 5 hours your first time.

 

[GhislainG]

I like what lchrisk put together. If you want help putting it together just let us know. It's really simply and will probably take you 5 hours your first time.

For the OP to compare, the OS, keyboard, mouse and monitor should be added to the list. That will significantly increase the price.

 

[twelve25]

I could build that pc for $300 or around there.

Buying a pre-built is a ripoff. Just build your own.

That pc won't run bf3 on ultra without lagging like crazy. Your monitor screen res is pretty low, so medium graphics would be okay. The FX series of processors aren't very good, especially the first generation, which is what that pc has. FX-4100 is not reliable.

You could build a complete computer that has a $100 processor and $125 graphics card for $300?


Radeon 7770 is a step above the 5770 I had which ran BF3 on high at 1440x900 @ 55fps. At 1366x768 you could easily run high and probably ultimate (sans MSAA) on a 7770.

FX4100 is a good mid-range processor that will do fine. I don't think your exaggerations are helping the OP.

 

[creeperizspy]

You could build a complete computer that has a $100 processor and $125 graphics card for $300?


Radeon 7770 is a step above the 5770 I had which ran BF3 on high at 1440x900 @ 55fps. At 1366x768 you could easily run high and probably ultimate (sans MSAA) on a 7770.

FX4100 is a good mid-range processor that will do fine. I don't think your exaggerations are helping the OP.

I have heard so many mixed opinions on the processor, I just don't know what to think anymore. I mean I know it isn't the best out there, but the total price for the rig and its components is within budget and I thought it was good.

I dont believe that he could build the cpu in the OP for 300, but the way everyone smack talk the 4100 makes it seem like im buying something that will bottleneck the gpu or ruin the rig....

 

[twelve25]

Do you have a link to the system you are considering?

FX-4100 is a fine processor worthy of it's pricetag. It compares well with Sandy Bridge i3's. The biggest complaints are that it uses a lot more power than the i3 to get the same performance and this it isn't really an upgrade from older Phenom and Athlon X4 processors. It performs fine.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/12/
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-4100-core-i3-2100-gaming-benchmark,3136-3.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-4100-core-i3-2100-gaming-benchmark,3136-7.html

 

[creeperizspy]

Do you have a link to the system you are considering?

FX-4100 is a fine processor worthy of it's pricetag. It compares well with Sandy Bridge i3's. The biggest complaints are that it uses a lot more power than the i3 to get the same performance and this it isn't really an upgrade from older Phenom and Athlon X4 processors. It performs fine.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/12/
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-4100-core-i3-2100-gaming-benchmark,3136-3.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-4100-core-i3-2100-gaming-benchmark,3136-7.html

http://www.walmart.com/ip/iBuyPower-Build-Your-Own-Gaming-Desktop-Bundle-Select-Case-Processor-Memory-Hard-Drive-and-more-with-Windows-8-Pro-Upgrade-Option/15374646

That is the link to customization page, it wont save my exact settings. Basically just put what the OP says for the settings, and you have the cpu im looking at. Its through IBuyPower

 

[yummerzzz]

Maybe upgrade your GPU as it is quite a weak card, but then again you resolution is pretty low.

I have the FX and at 1080p it has no problem running BF3 Ultra, and you can OC it to get better performance too. But really there's no point in buying the FX4100 now when you could buy the Vishera FX4300+ which is much better and the OC performance is also better.

 

[socialfox]

Well I just wanted to let you guys know that with a Phenom II X4 955 Black edition and an HD 7770 I max out almost all games at the resolution of 1600x900. I have played skyrim (Ultra settings) out of the games you have listed and it never ever lags for me.

 

[Guest]

forget the FX4100 and the 4300 for that matter. spend a few more bucks and get the FX-6300

AMD Vishera FX-6300 & FX-4300 Review

 

[twelve25]

You know $670+Tax for that build including monitor, keyboard mouse and OS isn't bad. I normally wouldn't think walmart for computers, but I don't think I could beat that building it myself.

 

[twelve25]

It's just a few bucks more when you are building it yourself, but looking at prebuilt deals, it's probably more like $100 to get a fx-6300 over what the OP is looking at.

And what does showing a bottleneck at 1920p ultra prove when the OP is looking at a 1366p monitor! The lowly A8 is still giving a playable 40fps even at resolutions that have twice the pixels the OP is planning to run.

 

[creeperizspy]

Yeah im not looking to play on a tv or anything. Im used to a even smaller display that the one above and it suits me perfectly.

Also how is the 7770 a weak card? Its pretty high in its series besides the 7850 and 7950 that are wayyyy out of the price range.

 

[twelve25]

It's a matter of perspective. If you are trying to run high or ultra quality at 1920x1080, then you are used to shopping for $200-300 cards. So a $125 card seems crappy in comparison. If you are used to gaming on onboard graphics, xbox or $40 graphics card, a 7770 is an absolute beast.

 

[Guest]

It's just a few bucks more when you are building it yourself, but looking at prebuilt deals, it's probably more like $100 to get a fx-6300 over what the OP is looking at.

And what does showing a bottleneck at 1920p ultra prove when the OP is looking at a 1366p monitor! The lowly A8 is still giving a playable 40fps even at resolutions that have twice the pixels the OP is planning to run.

now who said that getting a 6300 cpu would cost $100 in the prebuilt to begin with?

but if i need to explain it then ok.

a 4100(4300) are horrible CPUs. a bottleneck doesn't happen nearly as bad @ 1080 as a lower resolution, where there are higher fps. so if you think it bottlenecks at 1080 then it will be much worse @ a lower resolution. and really a difference in performance in cpus do not mean there is a bottleneck

if the OP can't get a better CPU where they are shopping at without paying through the nose then they need to consider either shopping some place else or getting a bigger budget.

 

[creeperizspy]

It's a matter of perspective. If you are trying to run high or ultra quality at 1920x1080, then you are used to shopping for $200-300 cards. So a $125 card seems crappy in comparison. If you are used to gaming on onboard graphics, xbox or $40 graphics card, a 7770 is an absolute beast.

My cpu now is absolute ***, 6 years old. it has a ati radeon x300 in it. Also what if i considered getting a 22" monitor with 1920x1080 would that be bad?

 

[creeperizspy]

Double post but whatever. I have a choice of a 4100, 6100, or 8120, all with pretty big price jumps. They are the choices in the semi-prebuilt thing i linked above.

 

[twelve25]

My cpu now is absolute ***, 6 years old. it has a ati radeon x300 in it. Also what if i considered getting a 22" monitor with 1920x1080 would that be bad?

If you get a 1920x1080 monitor, you would want to step up to a 7850 or similar to be able to run high settings. The 7770 could still do it, but you'd be running on low or medium in some games. If you get a 7770, I wouldn't pair it with a monitor higher than 1600x900, or you will have to scale down and/or run lower quality.

 

[creeperizspy]

If you get a 1920x1080 monitor, you would want to step up to a 7850 or similar to be able to run high settings. The 7770 could still do it, but you'd be running on low or medium in some games. If you get a 7770, I wouldn't pair it with a monitor higher than 1600x900, or you will have to scale down and/or run lower quality.

Alright thanks for all the help. One last thing, are you sure I won't be disappinted with the 4100? And could you sum up all the recommendations you have?

 

[creeperizspy]

Also just another question, would a Intel Core i5-3570K (4 x 3.40GHz) Processor be a upgrade from the 4100, and if so how much?

Also how good is the amd 7770

 

[twelve25]

I think we've been through how good the 7770 is.

The i5-3570 is about twice as powerful as the fx-4100 and normally sells for about $120 more on it's own. But that's only going to help in games if you are cpu bound. I would google benchmarks for the games/apps you plan to run and see if it is going to make a difference.

I think that deal you are looking at is only a good deal if you get it with the fx-4100. All the other processor upgrades were a poor value. If you decide to start getting picky with components, I'd either buy the parts yourself and put it together, or configure something at cyperpowerpc.com

 

[mohit9206]

i think the original build that OP showed us is a pretty good deal considering hes getting monitor and OS included too.
as for a 7770 it is a beast at 1366*768.
i can bet my ass that theres no game out there that it cant play at highest settings and not get above 30 fps avg.
overall its a good pc for the price i.suggest you go for it

 

[creeperizspy]

My main worry right now is that I have people tell me that the 4100 is old and really bad, then somepeople say its fine. My other other worry is the monitor. My friend told me tht 1366x780 is bad because a lot of game don't know what to do with it. Is this true?

 

[creeperizspy]

Also for the i5 addition, is $168 added to the bundle a high price?