Intel Core i3 or AMD FX-6300

[Guest]

I'm a new PC builder and I want to get the best CPU for the price.
I am particularly a big fan of AMD, but have heard that Intel is better.

Reading up, the Intel Core i3-Ivy Bridge is 3.3 GHz and most motherboards support PCI Express 3.0 x16, and most recent graphics cards (around or under $200) support this Expansion Slot.

The AMD FX-6300 is cheaper than the i3, but most of its motherboards support only PCI Express 2.0 x16, which older motherboards support.

I need help to decide which CPU is better.

 

[montosaurous]

I'd go for the FX 6300. And even the most powerful video cards have a hard time fully saturating PCIE 3.0, so PCIE 2.0 is good enough. The 3570k is the point where going Intel starts to make sense for gaming, but AMD is pretty competitive with the i5 too.

 

[Guest]

I'd go for the FX 6300. And even the most powerful video cards have a hard time fully saturating PCIE 3.0, so PCIE 2.0 is good enough. The 3570k is the point where going Intel starts to make sense for gaming, but AMD is pretty competitive with the i5 too.

Okay, I'll go with the AMD FX-6300, but do you know any good graphics cards that support PCIe 2.0 x16 around $200?

 

[montosaurous]

PCIE 2.0 works with PCIE 3.0 cards, and vice versa. For around $200 I would recommend a Radeon 7870 GHz or GTX 660.

 

[Guest]

PCIE 2.0 works with PCIE 3.0 cards, and vice versa. For around $200 I would recommend a Radeon 7870 GHz or GTX 660.

what about the SAPPHIRE 100311-3L Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card

 

[montosaurous]

Yes, that would work too. You'd probably have to buy it used though, so be cautious when doing so.

 

[ElMoIsEviL]

I don't think an i3 is ever really a good choice (unless the lower power requirements are a must). I've played around with i3 systems and I find them to be sluggish overall. I just find i3s to lack the multi-threaded performance needed to really make my computer usage enjoyable. With the amount of applications I like to run at once across multiple screens I find the i3s feel like a Tablet that is low on RAM. You know that frustrating feeling when you're working faster than your system can keep up with?

Yeah... usualyl results in my fist impacting the screen... well maybe not but you get my drift.

As for the FX-6300s... they're wonderful CPUs. My favorite bargain chips. I mean they're more than a bargain when you overclock them to 4.5GHz+. They're really great CPUs imo. I bought my first FX-6300 thinking it would serve as a cheap CPU for a Bitcoin rig I was making... once I had it setup in a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 I was floored. It's not simply a puny cheap processor. It's a workhorse when it comes to multi-tasking. I now run multiple Virtual Machines on it as well as two Diablominer instances for the two 7870XTs it powers 24/7 @ 4.5GHz.

If you're looking for a motherboard the Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 is an amazing piece of hardware. I bought mine when they were $115 CAD/USD at NCIX a while back. They offer an incredibly stable platform for serious users who don't like the occasional blue screen and rather prefer a stable working environment.

 

[montosaurous]

...Exactly how much money do you have?

 

[ElMoIsEviL]

This is sort of the thing I'd build personally:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ElMoIsEviL/saved/1bBe

 

[8350rocks]

That's a really solid build...

 

[cmi86]

That's pretty much my rig lol

 

[kiaff75]

This is sort of the thing I'd build personally:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ElMoIsEviL/saved/1bBe

+1 I have a similar build but I'd dump the windows 8 and stick with 7. Personal preference though

 

[Guest]

Would this be a good Rig? I'm trying to stick to $800
1. AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Six-Core Desktop Processor
2. ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
3. Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (Orange Heat Spreader) Model TLAD38G1600HC9DC01
4. Seagate ST310005N1A1AS-RK 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
5. CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
6. COOLER MASTER Elite 361 RC-361-KKN1 Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
7. Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (OEM) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
8. SAPPHIRE 100311-3L Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card
9. LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer
10. Rosewill RDCR-11004 5.25" Internal Card Reader w/ USB3.0
11. Edimax EW-7822UAC Wireless AC1200 Dual-band USB 3.0 Adapter,
12. (2) COOLER MASTER R4-L2R-20AC-GP 120mm Blue LED Case cooler

 

[kiaff75]

not bad but id say youre cuttin it close with a 500 watt power supply. It might be ok, i just personally like to be on the safe side. GPU is a little weak but should be decent. As far as other parts, you can always upgrade as you go later on ha

 

[montosaurous]

Switch the M5A97 LE R2.0 with an M5A97 R2.0 and it's good. Also get at least a 600w PSU.

 

[Guest]

not bad but id say youre cuttin it close with a 500 watt power supply. It might be ok, i just personally like to be on the safe side. GPU is a little weak but should be decent. As far as other parts, you can always upgrade as you go later on ha

what about a
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

[kiaff75]

not bad but id say youre cuttin it close with a 500 watt power supply. It might be ok, i just personally like to be on the safe side. GPU is a little weak but should be decent. As far as other parts, you can always upgrade as you go later on ha

what about an APEVIA ATX-AS520W-BK 520W ATX Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152041

I seriously suggest investing in a decent power supply its deffinately worth the extra 20 bucks. Certified (80 plus...)is the way to go for a higher end build

 

[kiaff75]

not bad but id say youre cuttin it close with a 500 watt power supply. It might be ok, i just personally like to be on the safe side. GPU is a little weak but should be decent. As far as other parts, you can always upgrade as you go later on ha

what about a
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

oops i didnt see this, this would be just fine

 

[Guest]

Switch the M5A97 LE R2.0 with an M5A97 R2.0 and it's good. Also get at least a 600w PSU.

whats the difference between the LE and the regular?

 

[montosaurous]

Regular has VRM heatsinks and USB 3.0 headers I believe. Worth it if you plan to OC. I have the original M5A97, and it's pretty good aside from the fact that I can't get any OC stable on Prime95 past 4.2GHz and sleep issues persist past 4.2 as well. I probably just got a bad board though, or it's RAM related. As for PSU, something like the Rosewill Green Series is a good option. Really you're just looking for something single rail and the majority of amps on the 12V+. Most things from Corsair, XFX and Seasonic are good. Antec and Rosewill both have good models and bad, so be a little more careful when picking one out.

 

[phenomxm313]

Dude its quite simple.......Get an AMD FX6300 along with supercooler for Beast-Like Overclocking abilities.then get a GTX 660 or perhaps a better GPU (second hand)....and 8 GB Ram and u have the perfect Rig