Man...At the end of my rope!!!! HELP!!!

[Redemption 77]

Hi. I got a situation that has been making me stress out and I could really use some input to help me put some things into perspective. I am thinking about switching to Intel for the first time since I started building Gaming rigs. (2002)
I currently have a Asus Sabertooth 990FX mobo with a Phenom II X4 980 CPU. Would it be better to just upgrade my CPU to the FX-8350 or just completely go Intel. Keep in mind that this PC will have to last me about 5 years. I have done tons of research, but there are so many polarizing views on what is best that it makes it hard to come up with a solid decision. I have asked for help in these forums before and you all have never steered me wrong so what say you? Give me some compelling reasons for both situations. To give some more insight to help, I have a $1,200 limit (although I really don't want to spend that) I am not a Frames Per Second hound, but I like a lag free, no skipping experience. I am not against upgrading my Video card to help eliminate any bottlenecking, but I really like it. (GTX 670)

 

[fralexandr]

In the off chance that you live near a microcenter, you can usually save ~$70 on an I5 3570k or I7 3770k + mobo combo.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841
you can reuse a lot of your current parts if you go intel:
keep the CPU cooler, ram, PSU, GPU, HDD, and OS
buy a mobo + CPU + SSD for ~$400

or buy a completely new system for $1000
Some games are already using 4 threads (though still mostly focused on 2 i think), so you might think about getting an i7 3770k for hyperthreading.

what hurts AMD a lot is that they are significantly worse for most applications with less than 4 threads. Also, they don't have any "true" 8 core cpus, as they have half as many floating point cores.

the FX-8350 isn't that great of an improvement for gaming
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/697?vs=362
the last 3 tests show ~20%, mostly worth it for the rendering

the comparison between FX-8350 and i5 3570k
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/697?vs=701

if you can find an i7 2600k for signficantly cheaper, it's pretty close the the i7 3770k

 

[Redemption 77]

I don't live near a microcenter. I usually use newegg.com. Using the Anandtech Bench page, it seems the I5 3570k beats the I7 3770k when I comes to gaming.

 

[fralexandr]

yes, the 3570k does barely beat the i7 3770k. The recommendation for the 3770k is only because you plan on keeping it around for 5 years. By then we might be seeing more games using 4 or more cores (new consoles are coming out). The 3770k has hyperthreading (4 cores, 8 threads) and the 3570k doesn't (4 cores, 4 threads).

 

[Redemption 77]

oh I see. I was looking at the Sabertooth z77 mobo. I really like my 990 FX but this counterpart seems expensive.

 

[daveybrat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113285

AMD FX-8320 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.0GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8320FRHKBOX

Currently it's $169 after coupon code EMCXWTW68.

You really have a nice motherboard already. I don't see any reason to buy a whole new platform, i.e. motherboard and cpu when you have the upgrade option to a nicer processor with a great motherboard.

And the FX processor is very overclocking friendly.

 

[Torn Mind]

It depends on whether games become more threaded or not; even if they are more well-threaded, how much more the game engine taxes the CPU can determine if it will last its purpose for five years. There could possibly be a game that scales with 6 cores but pushes those cores as the most demanding games push a 3570K today.

 

[Redemption 77]

Right. but will it be nice in 3 years? plus, I do not Overclock so OC headroom doesnt mean too much to me.

 

[Ken g6]

Hm. An FX-8350 (a.k.a. a right-clocked 8320) does beat a stock Phenom II in all the AnandTech gaming benchmarks. But the Intel processor beats both in all the gaming benchmarks.

Keep in mind that this PC will have to last me about 5 years.

Why such a long time horizon? Maybe you could upgrade to the Vishera now and do a full upgrade in a year or two to Haswell or Broadwell.

 

[Redemption 77]

Torn Mind, I guess what I am betting on is hopefully that Intel or AMD won't change their platform. I bought the Sabertooth 990FX before the FX CPUs even came out. AMD seems to be forward thinking. Does Intel have the same idea? I mean, If I get a 1155 mobo, will there be new CPU tech ( maybe Haswell ) that will be 1155 or will I end having to buy another motherboard. I know nothing has been officially announced yet butwhat is the best guess. This tax time is the only time I am going to be able to spend the money on hardware for the next 5 years.

 

[Redemption 77]

Ken g6, After this tax time, I will be tied up in long term commitments that won't allow me to spend much money at all. I kinda have to put all my eggs in one basket. ( as much as I don't want to)

 

[Redemption 77]

Looking at my sig, can I assume my CPU and HDD are the bottleneck in my system?

 

[upperbound]

Torn Mind, I guess what I am betting on is hopefully that Intel or AMD won't change their platform. I bought the Sabertooth 990FX before the FX CPUs even came out. AMD seems to be forward thinking. Does Intel have the same idea? I mean, If I get a 1155 mobo, will there be new CPU tech ( maybe Haswell ) that will be 1155 or will I end having to buy another motherboard. I know nothing has been officially announced yet butwhat is the best guess. This tax time is the only time I am going to be able to spend the money on hardware for the next 5 years.

Haswell and Broadwell will both be on socket 1150, not 1155, so yes, you would need to buy a new mobo if you build now and decide to go with one of those chips in the future. But if you're looking for a system to last 5 years, who cares? Maybe during the 3rd generation down the line, Intel will still be on 1150, but you probably have a better chance of it being something else. If you need/want this system now, build. If you're willing to wait 6 months in hopes that Intel won't change platforms in 5 years, wait.

 

[Ken g6]

If I get a 1155 mobo, will there be new CPU tech ( maybe Haswell ) that will be 1155

Nope. Intel ends its mobos fairly quickly. Though I gather the Pentiums and Celerons will remain on 1155 for quite some time.

If you refuse to overclock, then you should probably get a Xeon E3-1230 V2. If it had a normal numbering scheme it would be an i7-3670. It's like like an i7 version of an i5-3470: the best bang for your buck with Hyper-Threading.

Put that on an ASRock Extreme 3 mobo, add another GTX 670 for SLI, and you'll be about as future-proof as you can be for gaming. Or you can put it on a cheap B75 with no chance for SLI.

Looking at my sig, can I assume my CPU and HDD are the bottleneck in my system?

I was wondering if you had an SSD. There are quite a few to choose from, and any one will improve your non-gaming performance and game load times. I'd suggest looking at a Samsung 840 Pro.

 

[Redemption 77]

Ken g6, I don't have an SSD, but I most definitely will! That is for sure. I was going to choose the 840 pro, but found this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211597
It reviewed very well and you can't beat the price.( I will probably get an extended warranty with this). This probably makes it harder,(lol) but I am also against SLI/Crossfire because I have had too many nightmare situations with both. Micro stuttering, bad driver support and patches for game that just don't work. I a going to stick single card. Was thinking about this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121705

 

[mfenn]

Torn Mind, I guess what I am betting on is hopefully that Intel or AMD won't change their platform. I bought the Sabertooth 990FX before the FX CPUs even came out. AMD seems to be forward thinking. Does Intel have the same idea? I mean, If I get a 1155 mobo, will there be new CPU tech ( maybe Haswell ) that will be 1155 or will I end having to buy another motherboard. I know nothing has been officially announced yet butwhat is the best guess. This tax time is the only time I am going to be able to spend the money on hardware for the next 5 years.

Intel will definitely change their platform this year with Haswell. AMD may keep it the same this year, but they will definitely change it in 2014 for DDR4. So either one will have cycled through at least one platform by this time next year.

May I ask what is wrong with your PC currently? It seems pretty stacked to me.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Intel will definitely change their platform this year with Haswell. AMD may keep it the same this year, but they will definitely change it in 2014 for DDR4. So either one will have cycled through at least one platform by this time next year.

May I ask what is wrong with your PC currently? It seems pretty stacked to me.

I personally find it odd that he got a Phenom II with a 850W PSU (and only 1 GPU), $190 mobo, $160 case, a WD Black, and $100 cooler. Seems a bit unbalanced.

Anyway, you might as well keep everything you currently have, but also grab an 256GB SSD and an FX8350 (around $370 total). That'll make general usage feel snappier, decrease load times, and improve your frames without blowing through your budget.

 

[Redemption 77]

Thanks for the replies. mfenn, I just can't seem to play any of the newer games ( BF3, Crysis 2 etc... ) max'd out with consistant fps. I have done all the tests to check for defective hardware and everything is performing as it should but, it isn't translating to what I should be seeing on the screen. I figure if that is the way I feel now, then I am definitely not going to be happy with the next gen games coming out.

Sleepingforest, you assume I built my PC all at once. I have been slowly upgrading over the past 2 years. All of the parts you mentioned I got on sale.The Phenom and HDD are my oldest components, hence the reason I asked if my CPU and HDD could be the problem.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Oh yeah, that would explain pretty much everything. In that case, back up your saves, send them to the cloud or something, and go for the SSD as an application/OS drive. Through the liberal use of sym-links, you should be able to keep around 5-6 games, an OS, and some basic programs on the SSD.

The CPU replacement is a pretty easy task too, and you should see some nice benefits by going to a 8350. Yes, Intel will be faster, but it's not enough to convince me that you need a new mobo and a new CPU (and have to fiddle around with Windows to get it to work on a new mobo).

Also, since you have the case room, budget, and power supply, you may want to consider SLI'ing 670s. This only applies if you think your frames are slow: if it's only a smoothness problem, them a new CPU and a fresh Windows/drivers install should help.

 

[mfenn]

Anyway, you might as well keep everything you currently have, but also grab an 256GB SSD and an FX8350 (around $370 total). That'll make general usage feel snappier, decrease load times, and improve your frames without blowing through your budget.

I agree that the CPU and storage are the weakest parts of the OP's system. A Phenom II at 3.7 GHz isn't the fasting thing out there anymore, but it's hardly slow either. The OP shouldn't have any trouble playing games at high framerates unless he has some other processes sucking up CPU/RAM/IO. Getting an SSD is a good excuse to reinstall Windows, so :thumbsup: to that.

 

[Redemption 77]

Ok, so I just ordered my upgrade from Newegg.com . I ended up getting the FX-8350 (for $189.99) and an ADATA XPG SX900 256 gig SSD ($189.99). I saved enough money to get a killer monitor( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236302 ) I just wanted to thank all of you for your input.....I will probably need it again, soon! lol

 

[mfenn]

Be careful with that ADATA SSD. It is a Sandforce without the usual over-provisioning "safety buffer", so performance will get really bad if you fill it completely up. I would probably partition it to about 240 GB or so to avoid that situation.

 

[Redemption 77]

hmm. I got it because RAISE wasn't on it. I figured the whole backup thing was kinda not needed and I would get the full 256 gig. TRIM is still active though, right?

 

[mfenn]

hmm. I got it because RAISE wasn't on it. I figured the whole backup thing was kinda not needed and I would get the full 256 gig. TRIM is still active though, right?

Sandforce's TRIM doesn't (and has never) worked quite right, so you can't rely on that. The drive is fine (well, as fine as any Sandforce drive), just don't fill it up past the usual 240 GB.

 

[Redemption 77]

ok. I probably will only be using 180 to 190 gig of it anyway. It is tough to know what to put on it and what not to. lol As far as games go, I uninstall them after I am done beating them. I hear that is a problem with SSD. I think Photoshop would never come off of it and MS Office, but I am actually scared to install anything on it. I guess I got the "new tech jitters" lol