AMD CPU for gaming

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john925

Member
Jun 30, 2015
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Masochism not required. The rig in my sig runs any game at the right settings, other than less than a handful that won't run on a 5870 anyway.

Just to repeat though: If one can afford an Intel 4 Core setup, that's what they should get. If not for some reason and can afford an AMD 4 core or better, then that's what they should get.

So would any Intel 4 core do the trick? I updated my original post because i found a Core 2 Quad processor for like $100. I just want to know if i should snag it now before it becomes a missed opportunity.
 

AtenRa

Lifer
Feb 2, 2009
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So would any Intel 4 core do the trick? I updated my original post because i found a Core 2 Quad processor for like $100. I just want to know if i should snag it now before it becomes a missed opportunity.

Stay away from those old Dualx2 quads. An Athlon 860K is way faster, with lower power consumption and motherboards miles better than those old socket 775.
 

john925

Member
Jun 30, 2015
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Not that strong really. AMD's GPU market is 20% and their flagship card is less popular, slower and costs just as much as the competition, so that number isn't likely to get any higher anytime soon. Their APU market had potential with it's relatively powerful IGP and price compared to Intel, but the IGP advantage is gone with Broadwell so now they can only compete on price, which isn't going to help them.

Well yeah, there's no question with Intel/AMD CPU's. I do also think that nVidia tends to trump AMD in gaming as well. But like i said, they are doing alot outside of that, or at least from what i've seen. That could also be the reason why their gaming market tends to suffer. nVidia seems more focused on gaming, and Intel is obviously known for dominant CPU's. Maybe they're just trying to be involved in too many different markets instead of focusing on one or two and make something of high quality.
 

john925

Member
Jun 30, 2015
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Stay away from those old Dualx2 quads. An Athlon 860K is way faster, with lower power consumption and motherboards miles better than those old socket 775.

Ok i was just making sure. I suppose that explains why it's so damn cheap lol
 

john925

Member
Jun 30, 2015
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What about an i5 2320 3GHz? I'm perusing ebay and came across that with bidding around $70
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
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A Sandy Bridge i5 is considerably faster than any AMD quad, but you'll need to go with a used motherboard too.
 

john925

Member
Jun 30, 2015
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Yeah i was just browsing through ebay and found a few decently priced i5's but idk which gen i should get. Just something that'll be able to last me for a little while. I'm mostly just window shopping right now
 
Dec 30, 2004
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Hell i'd love to get an i7 like the one in my laptop, just clocked a little higher. But from what i'm seeing is that the FX series with AMD is the most popular one for gaming? Because i've been seeing A-series, FX-series, Athlon, stuff like that, all varying in prices. So would an i5 clocked higher than 3 GHz be better? Like i said, i have an i7 but it's only 2.4 GHz.

yeah once you get into the pricerange of the Intel Quad cores it makes more sense to goIntel
 

john925

Member
Jun 30, 2015
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yeah once you get into the pricerange of the Intel Quad cores it makes more sense to goIntel

Yeah i've been seeing some decently priced i5's but theres a few different types and models that make choosing the right one that much more difficult.
 

TeknoBug

Platinum Member
Oct 2, 2013
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The i5 4460 and 4590 are good buys. I can't justify a reason for buying an AMD FX right now but an Athlon 860K or A10 7600 are OK since they're not expensive.
 

MiddleOfTheRoad

Golden Member
Aug 6, 2014
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I am sure all those buying FX8150 said the same in 2011. Moar Cores!

Fast forward to 2015 and the i3 from 2011 more or less runs in circles around the FX8150.

And you just moved the goalposts. He's talking about a 2 thread CPU, not a 4 thread one. Try to keep up. Buying a dual core anything (regardless of manufacturer) to play future games is a bad idea.

That FX8150 from 2011 will still play any game out there reasonably well -- a dual core 2015 chip won't. Quad Cores are the minimum requirements for many new titles.
 
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ShintaiDK

Lifer
Apr 22, 2012
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And you just moved the goalposts. He's talking about a 2 thread CPU, not a 4 thread one. Try to keep up. Buying a dual core anything (regardless of manufacturer) to play future games is a bad idea.

No, he talked about dualcores. And an i3 is a dualcore.

And if you are in doubt, check his post where he uses Anandtech bench. Its an i3 as well.

So ye...keep up please :)
 

mizzou

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2008
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Go for a nice AMD 83xx build for decent performance at a good price. Nothing wrong with supporting the underdog as well. As games and programs continue to become more multi threaded friendly, the more your investment in a budget AMD build will pay its dividends.

Nothing wrong with going Intel either, but i would personally feel more future proof with an 8 core FX CPU, than go with a bottom of the barrel Core i3.

This is likely the route I will go, yet again on my 3rd PC build this year. Every time, I wait until I'm around 3 generations back (I'm actually 5 right now) and typically the brand new AMD Cpu I want to get is a gigantic leap forward. It's not as much forward as a more expensive Intel CPU, but overall I save more money and get basically the same experience and computer life extension.
 

Jeff007245

Member
Aug 31, 2007
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Check out this bargain of a deal for a top binned FX 8 core processor.

FX 8370E 8 Core 95w - $119.99

Microcenter - http://www.microcenter.com/product/437623/FX_8370E_33GHz_AM3_Black_Edition_Boxed_Processor

If you don't have a microcenter near you, you can try price matching at your local Electronic store.

If I didn't already have an 8350 and 9590 in my AMD rig, I would be all over this. It may not be their top performing core, but it hangs with the big boys when overclocking while running at a lower TDP and Cooler at the same time.
 
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richierich1212

Platinum Member
Jul 5, 2002
2,741
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Check out this bargain of a deal for a top binned FX 8 core processor.

FX 8370E 8 Core 95w - $119.99

If I didn't already have an 8350 and 9590 in my AMD rig, I would be all over this. It may not be their top performing core, but it hangs with the big boys when overclocking while running at a lower TDP and Cooler at the same time.

Where??
 
Dec 30, 2004
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Really good point for OP to consider: His board is 4+1 VRM. And its a Gigabyte. Not exactly stellar track record for high voltages.

There is nothing about this mobo/cpu combo that is great for overclocking. He's lucky to get what he's got.

tbh it might be fine. I hit 4.3ghz on 1.33v. Pretty low. I bet it could handle it
 
Dec 30, 2004
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The i5 4460 and 4590 are good buys. I can't justify a reason for buying an AMD FX right now but an Athlon 860K or A10 7600 are OK since they're not expensive.

4460 cannot overclocking is not a goodbye my friend has one and he is frustrated I can't overclock it voice to text
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
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4460 cannot overclocking is not a goodbye my friend has one and he is frustrated I can't overclock it voice to text

This may be true, but at stock it's faster than an overclocked FX. Considering you can get a way with having a much cheaper motherboard, using the stock cooler, going with a smaller power supply, fewer case fans (and less noise too), I feel there's a decent value proposition there, despite the CPU alone being more expensive.
 

Jeff007245

Member
Aug 31, 2007
125
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Yeah for that price I would probably sell my 8310 and in buy one!

It's a great CPU for nonoverclockers, and even more awesome for those that do. The thing can hit 5ghz like its other siblings, and it can do it while eating power more efficiently.
 
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Aug 11, 2008
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FX at 5ghz--- that is a new definition of efficiency. The new chips may be more efficient, but when overclocked that high it is still going to eat a lot of power. I also dont think 5ghz is certain, and for sure not as easily as you make it sound. Not to mention an aftermarket cooler and the extra power use will certainly eat into the price advantage over an intel quad.
 
Dec 30, 2004
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This may be true, but at stock it's faster than an overclocked FX. Considering you can get a way with having a much cheaper motherboard, using the stock cooler, going with a smaller power supply, fewer case fans (and less noise too), I feel there's a decent value proposition there, despite the CPU alone being more expensive.

yeah. if it could over clock I would take it, but paying for untapped pretentiously bothers me