AMD FX-8150 vs Intel i7 2600k

[Stg-Flame]

I'm looking for the best possible CPU without sinking $1,000 in the i7 Extreme and I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to CPUs and motherboard compatibility.

Which would be better for high-end gaming and will this motherboard work with both (or either)? Looking at a GTX680 which will be SLI once they drop in price with 16GB of RAM attached.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Yuriman]

The Intel Z68 chipset will only work with Intel processors that fit in that socket. The Z68 chipset is outdated (but still usable), it has been replaced by the Z77. Why that motherboard in particular, do you already own it?

What is your budget? Do you intend to overclock? Do you do anything other than game? What else do you need in your system?

EDIT: The best possible processor for gaming is likely going to be one of the following: 2500K, 2600K, 3570K, 3770K, or 3930K, depending on some other factors such as budget and willingness to overclock.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Guess I should get used to posting my list in all my inquiry threads.


CPU ~300
GPU ~600
RAM ~100
PSU ~130
HDD ~70
SSD ~200
DVD ~20
Mobo ~200
Case
Mouse ~50
Keyboard - Undecided
Monitor ~220
First Headset Choice ~180
Second Choice ~130
Third Choice (which would be my first choice if this wasn't wireless)
Both Razers seem to be great headsets, but it seems they all have mic problems as well as durability problems. Any input would be great here.
OS which I always forget to add

My budget is around $2,500 which I am willing to modify. If I get my backpay on this coming paycheck, my budget will get bumped a bit higher and that GTX680 will turn into a GTX690.

Overclocking the GPU - yes. Overclocking the CPU - maybe if I can get a good heatsink since I don't plan on liquid cooling my system.

Other than gaming, maybe the occasional video edit (FRAPsing DayZ and such). Nothing else really.

 

[Yuriman]

This is better RAM. The specs don't say much good about it, but hit up the memory forums if you're skeptical, you can get a more in-depth answer there. It overclocks amazingly and draws very little power.

I'd recommend going with a Z77 motherboard, it's a newer version of the Z68 basically. I have an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 and have nothing but good things to say about it, but I don't think you can go wrong with any Z77 from Asus, ASRock or Gigabyte right now.

I don't like any of the headsets - but the headset I would choose wouldn't have a built-in mic. I'm a bit of an audiophile and those sets aren't really built for fidelity.

I like MVA panels, I haven't seen one for sale in a while though. Interesting. Probably not a bad choice but I don't know anything about that screen specifically.

Rest of the system looks good.
---

As for the CPU, the 2600K/3770K only differ from the 2500K/3570K in that they have a little bit more L3 cache, hyperthreading, and are 50% more expensive. Hyperthreading and the extra cache do basically nothing in many games, it's certainly not cost effective, but it fits within your budget and won't hurt. Whether you can justify the extra $100 is your call.

The 3570K is a die-shrink of the 2500K (as is 3770K vs 2600K) with a slight improvement in IPC (faster per clock), which draws less power and puts out less heat. The disadvantage of the 3xxx processors is that they have a lower overclocking roof (you can find threads on the "why" of it in this forum if you search) - typically you wont get past 4.5ghz on air cooling with Ivy Bridge whereas 4.8ghz seems more typical of the older Sandy Bridge chips, which more than makes up for the improvement in IPC the newer chips have. What this means is, a 2500K will have more potential performance (at max overclock) than a 3570K, and it's a cheaper chip too, but it draws more power and dumps more heat into your room, and the performance advantage isn't huge.

Neither is a wrong choice, I opted for the 3570K.

 

[Stg-Flame]

I'm not going for a CPU that will outshine the others by max overclock. I just want something that will keep me on-par with a high end system for a while - so I won't be looking for a new build in a year. My current CPU at stock has worked perfectly fine for over three years and I would like another one of similar standards.

If the 8150 is that type of a CPU then I will be changing my motherboard to fit the CPU. If not, I'll still be looking for the next best CPU in contrast to the i7 Extremes.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

is there a reason you're going with the previous generation with a 2600K and Z68 instead of a 3770K and Z77?

I could understand maybe wanting to go for the 2600K if you want to really overclock just to hit high clockrates, but the improvements in IPC on Ivy plus the newer tech (mainly PCI-e 3.0) really tend to offset any advantage you might get by sticking with Sandy.

And there really isn't any reason to go Z68 over Z77 other than price, which is pretty much negligible (the P8Z77-V PRO, which is basically the same motherboard only with the newer Z77 chipset, costs $8 more to get it shipped to you)

That being said, if you're looking to avoid $1000 "extreme" CPU, you can always go with the $600 3930K

at any rate, AMD is woefully behind right now, they really only give a semblance of competition in the most highly threaded scenarios with Bulldozer, and even then its only to compete with the i5s, the quadcore i7s are pretty much through and through the undisputed king of 8 thread computing at the $300 price point

 

[aaksheytalwar]

3770k plus z77. Period.

 

[Jacky60]

I wouldn't even bother looking at 8150 or anything else from AMD cpu lineup. Intel is so much better for cpu's, my 3 year old i7 920 is faster at pretty much anything than the latest amd offerings. Sad but true, I loved my wolfdale E8400 before replacing it with 920.

 

[Stg-Flame]

is there a reason you're going with the previous generation with a 2600K and Z68 instead of a 3770K and Z77?

I could understand maybe wanting to go for the 2600K if you want to really overclock just to hit high clockrates, but the improvements in IPC on Ivy plus the newer tech (mainly PCI-e 3.0) really tend to offset any advantage you might get by sticking with Sandy.

And there really isn't any reason to go Z68 over Z77 other than price, which is pretty much negligible (the P8Z77-V PRO, which is basically the same motherboard only with the newer Z77 chipset, costs $8 more to get it shipped to you)

That being said, if you're looking to avoid $1000 "extreme" CPU, you can always go with the $600 3930K

at any rate, AMD is woefully behind right now, they really only give a semblance of competition in the most highly threaded scenarios with Bulldozer, and even then its only to compete with the i5s, the quadcore i7s are pretty much through and through the undisputed king of 8 thread computing at the $300 price point

Yes there is a reason. That being I didn't know any better...

I stopped trying to follow the hardware race about four years ago and I only really start delving into what we have before us when I am ready to build a new computer. It takes me a few weeks of browsing here and other sites before I can become re-acclimated to the modern hardware world.

I posted in my build thread on General Hardware and I guess I should post it here too.

This rig is going to be strictly for high-end gaming. As top of the line as possible. My budget reaches $2,500 but can be tweaked slightly if the price for the parts slightly exceeds the maximum (though I would like to keep it at or below the max). By that, I mean if a CPU will push me a few hundred over the max, yet it completely outshines what I have in my list and I cannot tweak my list further, I might be inclined to fork out the extra money.

And since General Hardware moves so slow these days, I would be more than happy to take suggestions on any part of my build from anyone in any of my other threads.

Thanks for the input thus far and any more I shall receive while at work tomorrow.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

General hardware does not move slow.

 

[ShintaiDK]

3770k plus z77. Period.

This, or even a i5 3570K if you just game.

And get a cheaper GPU as well. The mobo also doesnt need to cost more than 120-140$. A 200$ mobo aint any better.

 

[Durvelle27]

Guess I should get used to posting my list in all my inquiry threads.


CPU ~300
GPU ~600
RAM ~100
PSU ~130
HDD ~70
SSD ~200
DVD ~20
Mobo ~200
Case
Mouse ~50
Keyboard - Undecided
Monitor ~220
First Headset Choice ~180
Second Choice ~130
Third Choice (which would be my first choice if this wasn't wireless)
Both Razers seem to be great headsets, but it seems they all have mic problems as well as durability problems. Any input would be great here.
OS which I always forget to add

My budget is around $2,500 which I am willing to modify. If I get my backpay on this coming paycheck, my budget will get bumped a bit higher and that GTX680 will turn into a GTX690.

Overclocking the GPU - yes. Overclocking the CPU - maybe if I can get a good heatsink since I don't plan on liquid cooling my system.

Other than gaming, maybe the occasional video edit (FRAPsing DayZ and such). Nothing else really.

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293

SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096

SAMSUNG 830 Series 128GB SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136533

MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139020

ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

Dell UltraSharp U2312HM IPS-Panel Black 23"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824260055


Total: $1,569

 

[Yuriman]

Durvelle27's recommendation is excellent.

If you really want to burn that extra $1000, grab yourself a nice 27" or 30" screen and set of Beyerdynamic DT 880's and a sound card with a built in headphone amp, such as the Asus Xonar DGX 5.1. A buddy of mine opted for a Xonar Essence to go with his high-end 'cans, and I was really impressed the first time I put them on. Listening to some of my favorite classical pieces, I was amazed that I was able to discern some of the musicians breathing in the recordings.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293

SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096

SAMSUNG 830 Series 128GB SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136533

MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127685

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139020

ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

Dell UltraSharp U2312HM IPS-Panel Black 23"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824260055


Total: $1,569

Good to go

 

[Diogenes2]

You can get the i5-3570K + Asrock Z77 Extreme4 for $275 at Microcenter, if that is an option for you..

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

The 2600K demolishes the 8150, but it's a 2nd gen processor and the successor (3770K) is only some $20 more, so it makes more sense to get the 3770K.

Now, as to whether you will actually need the Hyper-Threading, you will only take advantage of it if you're running a decent amount of multi-threaded programs. For your usage, the i5-3570K is a more cost-effective option. Here's what I'd recommend:

Core i5-3570K: $215
Corsair A50: $30
ASRock Z77 Extreme4: $130
Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 OC: $400
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600: $39
Samsung 830 128GB: $99
Seagate Barracuda 1TB: $82
Seasonic X650 Gold: $100 with code EMCYTZT2242
ASUS 24X DVD Burner: $20
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM: $91
Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24": $269 with code DTJHR33$9BQ744

Total: $1557.

The Corsair A50 I'd recommend over the CM Hyper 212+ because while it's a bit bigger it does give you somewhat lower temperatures. Its price is the same.

The Radeon HD 7970 over the GTX 670 because you mentioned overclocking. HD 7970 OC=GTX 680 OC. You get a card with heaps of memory bandwidth, which is becoming increasingly important in games. You also get a card that responds better to overclocking: not only does it overclock a higher percentage, but you gain more from it. The downside is higher power consumption, but that is somewhat offset by the fact the Core i5 uses so little.

The Samsung RAM is great and all, don't get me wrong, but the fact is you'll be lucky if you gain even 1% in performance on Ivy Bridge for going from 1600 to 2133. Ivy Bridge has plenty of memory bandwidth at its disposal, hence why higher memory speeds don't have any reflection in the real world but rather on synthetic programs.

The Barracuda over the Caviar Black because the Caviar Black is overpriced and simply rides on its brand recognition to sell. Not only is it slower than the Barracuda, but it consumes more power as well. The new Barracuda is the only Hard Drive able to achieve 200MB/s sequential reads; the Black in comparison gets around 120MB/s.

For $10 more you're getting much more power supply. At $100, the Seasonic X650 is a steal. It has higher quality components than the TX650 V2 like a Sanyo Denki fan, 80+ Gold instead of 80+ Bronze efficiency, and other features like running fan-less at low load and a fully modular interface. You also get 4x PCIe connectors instead of the 2x you get with the Corsair. And yes, this will run two HD 7970s in CrossFire.

Finally, the monitor is one of the most important things in your computer. It's what you'll be seeing day-to-day. The Dell U2412M is on sale at the same price as the U2312M, and for that you get some significant upgrades: (1) you get a display that is much taller due to the 16:10 aspect ratio and (2) you get a higher 1920x1200 resolution to go along with it.

Not only is this build better, but it's cheaper as well.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

The Samsung RAM is great and all, don't get me wrong, but the fact is you'll be lucky if you gain even 1% in performance on Ivy Bridge for going from 1600 to 2133. Ivy Bridge has plenty of memory bandwidth at its disposal, hence why higher memory speeds don't have any reflection in the real world but rather on synthetic programs.

The Samsung RAM isn't exactly expensive, and even if you choose to to run it at a lower speed and not overclock the bejeezus out of it, it will do the same speeds with far less volts; there's really not much reason to cheap out even further on already cheap RAM, especially with the OP's budget.

Samsung really has pretty much made the perfect stick of DDR3, they deserve to be rewarded for it for a measly $6 more (and this is when its not on sale)