Upgrading CPU, Mobo, and GPU. Need some advice.

[Scorned]

Hello everyone!

Currently I'm rocking a AMD A6-3650 Llano Quad-Core 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Desktop APU and this thing just isn't getting the job done. So right now with some help from a friend who has been doing some research I'm pretty set on the AMD FX8350 Black. I'm also going to go with a GeForce 760 4GB.

Here's my dilemma: For that CPU chipset, there's not much in the way of PCI 3.0 motherboards.. I've seen the Gen3 Sabertooth and a couple of others, but there's none on NewEgg... which leads me to believe that I might not need the PCI 3.0. Am I overthinking it? Should I just find a great 2.0 slot motherboard? Or should I start looking at a different CPU chipset?

All advice is welcome and appreciated!


CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130949

 

[Apsyn]

I'd like to hear more on this as well. I'm curious as to why there doesn't seem to be motherboards supporting future hardware using the AM3+ socket. The Gen3 Sabertooth looks to be the only mobo right now that supports both PCI 3.0 and AM3+.

 

[Scorned]

Nobody?

 

[oxiide]

I had to do a little research when I read this question because I am very unfamiliar with how AMD chipsets work, but it seems like PCI-E 3.0 is very poorly supported on their side.

No, its not needed, you'd probably never know there was a difference if you used PCI-E 2.0. Its kind of a shame to not be able to get the most recent stuff when buying new, but I can't find any AMD motherboards on Newegg with 3.0 support as of right now.

As an aside, I'd personally skip the 4 GB version of the GTX 760. Its just not a fast enough card to hold up to the kind of gaming that demands more than 2 GB of VRAM. If you want more VRAM, the Radeon R9 280 is approximately as fast as the GTX 760, comes with 3 GB of VRAM in its stock configuration, and is often available cheaper. Still not needed, though.

 

[titanHUNTER]

You will not notice the difference with the PCIE 2.0 vs 3.0. Maybe with a r9-295x2 or a Titan Z you would. I would go with the 280x (or 280 if you are familiar with overclocking GPUs). It has a wider memory bandwidth (384 vs 256), which is more important than the actual VRAM. It also costs the same.

 

[Scorned]

You will not notice the difference with the PCIE 2.0 vs 3.0. Maybe with a r9-295x2 or a Titan Z you would. I would go with the 280x (or 280 if you are familiar with overclocking GPUs). It has a wider memory bandwidth (384 vs 256), which is more important than the actual VRAM. It also costs the same.

Could you explain a bit why the bandwidth makes a big difference? That's one aspect of PC upgrading I'm not really familiar with. Does it respond faster even with less VRAM?

 

[titanHUNTER]

You will not notice the difference with the PCIE 2.0 vs 3.0. Maybe with a r9-295x2 or a Titan Z you would. I would go with the 280x (or 280 if you are familiar with overclocking GPUs). It has a wider memory bandwidth (384 vs 256), which is more important than the actual VRAM. It also costs the same.

Could you explain a bit why the bandwidth makes a big difference? That's one aspect of PC upgrading I'm not really familiar with. Does it respond faster even with less VRAM?

From my understanding (others may be able to offer more help), the bandwidth is probably the most important aspect of GPUs, along with the amount of stream processors/CUDA cores. If you look at the spec difference between a r7-250 and a r9-290, their clocks are about the same. Also, the memory is only doubled. However, the r9 has a 512-bit memory bandwidth, which basically means your memory has a much wider lane to travel, resulting in faster, more utilized VRAM.

Yes, a larger bandwidth results in faster, better utilized memory. For example, some 270x have 4GB of VRAM. So does the 290x. However, the 290x has TWICE the memory bandwidth (256 vs 512) and more than doubled the stream processors. So the 290x will RUN CIRCLES around just one 270x.

When looking at all GPUs (regardless of Nvidia and AMD), first look at memory bandwidth. That will let you know which catoegory (low, middle, high end) the card is truly in. Secondly, look at stream processors for AMD and CUDA cores for Nvidia. This will let you know the graphical processing power of the card.

Then, look at VRAM. Most high end cards have 2GB to 4GB, so it will not vary much. Lastly, look at the clocks. For AMD, if it has an "x" behind it, then it is factory overclocked (i.e. 270x vs 270). So the x brand will ALWAYS have higher clocks than their non-x brand.

The two most important aspects are 1) memory bandwidth; 2) stream processors/CUDA cores.

As you look at graphic cards, you will see the price jumps from one level of memory bandwidth and stream processors/CUDA cores to the next. Hope this helps!

 

[Akhil Potukuchi]

Hello everyone!

Currently I'm rocking a AMD A6-3650 Llano Quad-Core 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Desktop APU and this thing just isn't getting the job done. So right now with some help from a friend who has been doing some research I'm pretty set on the AMD FX8350 Black. I'm also going to go with a GeForce 760 4GB.

Here's my dilemma: For that CPU chipset, there's not much in the way of PCI 3.0 motherboards.. I've seen the Gen3 Sabertooth and a couple of others, but there's none on NewEgg... which leads me to believe that I might not need the PCI 3.0. Am I overthinking it? Should I just find a great 2.0 slot motherboard? Or should I start looking at a different CPU chipset?

All advice is welcome and appreciated!


CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130949

Take that cpu only if you are set on overclocking. And that cpu if you want to overclock needs a good cpu cooler like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&cm_re=cooler_master_212_evo-_-35-103-099-_-Product for 30 bucks.
Take the r9 280x. 10 buck more and a significant performance increase. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125490&cm_re=r9_280x-_-14-125-490-_-Product

And if you won't be overclocking fx cpu's are a waste.And keep in mind that they released way back in 2012.
You could always get a good haswell refresh and h97/z97 mobo.

But if you will overclock the fx 8350 is one of the great chips out there.
anyways Here's a good mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877&cm_re=990_fx-_-13-131-877-_-Product

This is on newegg and it is a good sabertooth. : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877&cm_re=990_fx-_-13-131-877-_-Product
Forget 3.0 and just go for 2.0.

If you are deadset on pci 3.0 get an intel based cpu/mobo.

 

[titanHUNTER]

BTW, they are SUPER EASY to overclock! Got my 8350 to 4.5Ghz with Hyper Evo. Does not get higher than 59 on Prime95! Never gets hotter than 50 while doing serious gaming. I honestly believe they were designed for you to overclock! LOL

 

[Scorned]

titanHUNTER, thank you for the time and advice, it's been VERY helpful. After your advice and reading a few more posts and comparisons, I'm going with the 280x over the 760.

Edit: Akhil & oxiide thank you as well!

 

[titanHUNTER]

No problem! Glad I could be of assistance! Please select mine as the best answer/solved!

 

[Scorned]

Is there a way to since it's a discussion? I'm new to the forums and did try to find the button, but I don't see how!