R9 280X + FX 6300, decent combo?

[escrow4]

I'm currently on a 7870 but looking to upgrade, I'd like a smooth 50FPS at least at 1920x1200 on High minimum in all upcoming games. Currently that 7870 needs a mix of medium and High in Crysis 3 (as an example) to hit a smooth 50-60FPS at 1200p so I doubt its sufficient anymore. So, seeing as I only game with FPS's and RPG's (single player only), no RTS's or anything really CPU heavy, would the 280X be a good choice? That 6300 is stock and I could overclock it but I haven't been bothered so far.

 

[Termie]

While an FX 6300 is a good match for the HD 7870, it will not be a good match for an R9 280X (i.e., HD 7970). You will definitely start to bottleneck. Furthermore, most RPGs and single-player FPSs don't require more than an HD 7870 at 1200p. And while Crysis 3 in particular could use more power, what it really needs is a powerful CPU. Also, you don't need 60fps in that game to get a smooth experience. I've found that 40fps is perfectly playable.

 

[exar333]

OC that 6300, at stock it will seriously hold you back with any mid-range GPU or better.

 

[escrow4]

Bleh, well I'll upgrade to a 4770 + H87 board then as well. Can't be bothered overclocking anymore. I had a suspicion that the FX wouldn't cut it. And yes, I could get an i5, but cash isn't a problem.

 

[Piotrsama]

Or get an 8350. You just drop it in your actual computer, and it will work.
No reinstallation to bother with.

 

[Gikaseixas]

Or get an 8350. You just drop it in your actual computer, and it will work.
No reinstallation to bother with.

Best suggestion.
Try FX 8350, i bet your 7870 will be able to spread it's legs... er wings (thanks for spotting Frozen)

 

[escrow4]

An 8350 would be OK for $229 but an i7 would easily slaughter it for a $100 more. Not really worth it to my mind. I'm moving back to Intel.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Best suggestion.
Try FX 8350, i bet your 7870 will be able to spread it's legs

Uhmmm.... I think you mean "wings".

 

[Gikaseixas]

An 8350 would be OK for $229 but an i7 would easily slaughter it for a $100 more. Not really worth it to my mind. I'm moving back to Intel.

It's $195 at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FD8350FRHK...ywords=fx+8350

but i hear you, Intel i7 4770k @ stock settings will do it

 

[Gikaseixas]

Uhmmm.... I think you mean "wings".

LOL i know

 

[escrow4]

Yes, buying these parts today in a few hours:

- i7 4770 (yes there is an i7 4771, but I will not pay $40 more just for 100MHz base clock bump)

- Gigabyte H87M-D3H (solid, and er that's it)

- Gigabyte R9 280X

Now I have an FSP Aurum 1000w from one of my megabuilds left over. Its gold rated, decent reviews at johnny guru and is hilariously overkill. Should I swap in a lower rated PSU? This one is purring along fine . . . .

 

[Termie]

Since you already have the 1000W PSU and it's a decent Gold-rated unit, there's no reason at all to ditch it. At least you'll have no trouble powering up that R9.

On Newegg, the 4771 is only $10 more than the 4770 (and the 4770K is $30 more). At that price delta, I'd go for it, at $40 wherever you're buying, I wouldn't.

 

[toyota]

Yes, buying these parts today in a few hours:

- i7 4770 (yes there is an i7 4771, but I will not pay $40 more just for 100MHz base clock bump)

- Gigabyte H87M-D3H (solid, and er that's it)

- Gigabyte R9 280X

Now I have an FSP Aurum 1000w from one of my megabuilds left over. Its gold rated, decent reviews at johnny guru and is hilariously overkill. Should I swap in a lower rated PSU? This one is purring along fine . . . .

no k?

 

[escrow4]

No, no K. I can't be bothered overclocking anymore, and an i7 would boost up to 3.7GHz or so anyway, all loaded up which is more than enough to get that GPU fed. Last question, should I slap an after market heatsink on it, or is stock sufficient for keeping it from throttling?

 

[AtenRa]

Well, for the bucks you just spend, i would just drop an FX8320 + Water Cooling. OC that to 4.6GHz and then upgrade to R9 290.

 

[lehtv]

I don't understand the point of upgrading from a hexacore to a similar performance-per-clock octocore for gaming. Really, forum?

No, no K. I can't be bothered overclocking anymore, and an i7 would boost up to 3.7GHz or so anyway, all loaded up which is more than enough to get that GPU fed.

In that case a Xeon E3-1230 V3 would've been better performance per dollar. The lack of an IGP allows it to be priced almost as low as a 4670K. And you have discrete graphics so you don't need the IGP.

 

[AtenRa]

No, no K. I can't be bothered overclocking anymore, and an i7 would boost up to 3.7GHz or so anyway, all loaded up which is more than enough to get that GPU fed. Last question, should I slap an after market heatsink on it, or is stock sufficient for keeping it from throttling?

If you only game, then the default Heat-sink will be fine.

As for the hardware choice, since you dont want to OC the Core i7 was the best you could buy.

 

[toyota]

No, no K. I can't be bothered overclocking anymore, and an i7 would boost up to 3.7GHz or so anyway, all loaded up which is more than enough to get that GPU fed. Last question, should I slap an after market heatsink on it, or is stock sufficient for keeping it from throttling?

I hate to tell you but you will not keep that gpu fully fed in every game.

 

[lehtv]

If you only game, then the default Heat-sink will be fine.

Whether you game or do whatever with the CPU, the default heat sink is fine - unless you just want a lower noise level at load.

 

[escrow4]

I hate to tell you but you will not keep that gpu fully fed in every game.

I know, but it will be sufficient for 95% of games. Plus I don't play multiplayer so in the end, its certainly good enough. And its better than what I currently have, so meh.

 

[AtenRa]

Whether you game or do whatever with the CPU, the default heat sink is fine - unless you just want a lower noise level at load.

Then its not fine if you need another heat-sink.

But yes i do agree that it will not throttle with the default heat-sink even at 100% load.(bellow 35C ambient)

 

[ElFenix]

if you already have the 6300 you should just step up to a 1440 monitor where CPU stops mattering as the GPU is by far the bottleneck.

 

[lehtv]

Then its not fine if you need another heat-sink.

What? You said that it's fine only if it's for gaming. I pointed out you're not correct except if concerned about noise level. Not even nearly everyone is concerned about noise level. Don't try to make it look like I was reinforcing what you said, I was doing the opposite.

 

[AtenRa]

if you already have the 6300 you should just step up to a 1440 monitor where CPU stops mattering as the GPU is by far the bottleneck.

Yeap, that could be even better. Since he has the money to spend he could get a nice 1440 monitor and the R9 290X. The FX6300 would be fine driving the GPU at that resolution.

 

[AtenRa]

What? You said that it's fine only if it's for gaming. I pointed out you're not correct except if concerned about noise level. Not even nearly everyone is concerned about noise level. Don't try to make it look like I was reinforcing what you said, I was doing the opposite.

No, i just said that if you need to change the Heat-Sink for any reason (noise) then its not fine. Also, depending on the PC Case, airflow and ambient temp, you could Throttle the CPU with the default heat-sink at 100% load.