should I abandon the AMD ship? (Updated)

[kawi6rr]

I don't understand why the AMD defense squad don't just drop it sometimes. The new i5's are clearly superior gaming cpu's. It's only in another universe where you think otherwise, and as for all games being gpu limited, that's rubbish. They tend to be most gpu limited in the sort of fake automated single player runs that reviewers use, and then you have to only look at average fps. Play on a large multiplayer server and look at min fps which is what you get when the action is hottest and the differences are much more pronounced. Equally there are still a number of huge single threaded games out there (e.g world of tanks basically needs a modern intel cpu to break 45fps).

Op just get an i5K and be done with it, then you know your cpu will always be fast.

Part of it being my buddy spent over 2k on his computer while I only spent $1400 and that's with water cooling and shipping. Needless to say he wasn't jumping to the AMD ship anytime soon but he was surprised that you could see no difference from his rig to mine.
Yes Intel chips are faster and they look great when you show pretty graphs proving this. But 99% of the world are not computer savy builders and don't care about graphs. The OP should save his money and stick to what he has.

 

[Yuriman]

Part of it being my buddy spent over 2k on his computer while I only spent $1400 and that's with water cooling and shipping. Needless to say he wasn't jumping to the AMD ship anytime soon but he was surprised that you could see no difference from his rig to mine.
Yes Intel chips are faster and they look great when you show pretty graphs proving this. But 99% of the world are not computer savy builders and don't care about graphs. The OP should save his money and stick to what he has.

That's up for OP to decide. I'd stick with the 6300 as well, but it's undeniable that an i5 or i7 would be some amount faster.

Also, Intel systems are not inherently $600 more expensive than AMD systems. An i5 system might be, in total, around $50-$70 more than an FX-8xxx, unless you have the option of a drop-in upgrade.

 

[KingFatty]

Also a question for the OP - do any of your displays run at 120 Hz?

I could see a situation where you'd want to disable 2 of the displays, and just game on the center display if it's 120 Hz. Perhaps there you'd want to have a fast CPU that can crank out more than 60 FPS consistently on whatever game you are playing.

But if all 3 displays are limited to 60 Hz, I guess you'd want to keep all 3 running for games that support it.

 

[TeknoBug]

In FPS, RTS and some adventure games, sure you won't see much of a difference- but when it comes to MMO's where CPU is heavily calculated due to the number of players around you, that's where the difference comes in.

There's still alot of games out there that still taxes the CPU.

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

I don't understand why the AMD defense squad don't just drop it sometimes. The new i5's are clearly superior gaming cpu's.

No, they're really not. The i5 is the better choice for a new build, but clearly not worth the upgrade considering what he's already running.

I belong to both the Intel and AMD "squads" -- and the benchmarks don't back up what you are saying at all. Most modern games are now GPU limited -- and there are many benchmarks where an AMD FX, i5 an i7 all post nearly identical scores because the bottleneck is the GPU.
On older single threaded games -- you could actually see a bump in performance... But who builds a new Crossfire setup with multiple monitors to play old games? It is a waste of $400 to swap motherboard/CPU for an insignificant performance game.

This fanboy silliness is really overdone.

 

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

Also a question for the OP - do any of your displays run at 120 Hz?

I could see a situation where you'd want to disable 2 of the displays, and just game on the center display if it's 120 Hz. Perhaps there you'd want to have a fast CPU that can crank out more than 60 FPS consistently on whatever game you are playing.

But if all 3 displays are limited to 60 Hz, I guess you'd want to keep all 3 running for games that support it.

I am currently using in the center a Dell 24 E248WFP 1920x1200 which i believe is 75 mhz.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/popupproductdetail.aspx?sku=320-6095&?~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfh

On the sides I am using 2x Dell 24 S2440L 1920x1080

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=320-9801

Sometimes I game on just the E248WFP at 1920x1200 or I play across all screens. Really depends on the game. Additionally, sometimes I will game on the main screen, watch twitch on the left screen and browse/study on the right screen. A versatile setup, couldn't live without 3 screens now tbh.

I am tending to agree, that neither upgrade could be worth it at this time. I think the 8350 over clocked to 5ghz might provide some boost, but for 150$, not sure if its worth the coin. Additionally, I do think for the games I play and the setup, the i5/Z97 setup really might not be that big of an upgrade as well... hard to tell.

In general I want to do some type of upgrade and not "waste" money in the process. I am sure everything here understands the upgrade bug, and after have the 6300 for over 2 years I wouldn't mind upgrading...

The feedback has been great and please keep it coming.

 

[Rvenger]

@ OP

Figure out what programs you are likely to run and look at the performance of the AMD and the Intel chip in those programs.

If one chip performs significantly better in the applications you want to run, then go with that chip.

Best advice right here. +1



I would try it out before investing in a new mobo and CPU.

 

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

Best advice right here. +1



I would try it out before investing in a new mobo and CPU.

Yeah I think giving the 6300 its paces with the CF setup is worth the testing. I might be surprised.

I am not firmly in one camp over the other, frankly I have been with AMD because of the value aspect...however, I will say a lot of the hate AMD receives is not justified. For 99$ a FX 6300 is a beast of a chip.

That being said, I also want to spend my money in the most logical manner possible. Historically, AMD always has had a viable upgrade path and most motherboards supporting the next generation CPU... this is my current issue.

If i purchase a 8350, I am investing in a EOL system for the most part. No real architecture upgrade path. And sooner then later, I will need to spend more money on a new CPU/MB

If I purchase a i5/Z97, Im out about 280 compared to 150, but I will have a Devil's C chip and an upgrade path to broadwell. For me, this is the first time I am looking at an upgrade path without any real viable future upgrade options with AMD. That is in a nutshell the issue

 

[Ramses]

QuakeII kicks ass on xfire 280x's


More seriously, with ddr4 peeking it's head out and AMD hinting at a new CPU, it's hard to really recommend stepping from a moderate setup to anything unless one just wants to fiddle around. I'd still buy an 8350 if I had an older am3 board that'd run it, then I'd buy a 9590 just for the hell of it. Which I did. And maybe a pony.

 

[Gikaseixas]

OP i check my sig. I game on both and i'll tell you that you wont be able to tell them apart. When i run benches my i7 is faster, sometimes not so much and other times quite a bit faster but playing games, you know, the real stuff, you can't see differences.

With that said, you could sell your 6300 to offset some of the cost and buy a 8350 and that would take care of that itch but in reality you will not see any improvements, it's just in your mind.

I would give that 6300 @ 4.6ghz another shot with the second 7970. If you still unhappy after that then just get a 4790K

 

[KingFatty]

I too decided to wait, because I would be somewhat irked to get a brand new motherboard when the next round of motherboards support DDR4 and my recently purchased mobo didn't.

Have you considered that path? Maybe a fancy new X99 motherboard, just to flex out everything and go quad-GPU with 4x video cards?

Looks pretty tasty:

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

Yeah I think giving the 6300 its paces with the CF setup is worth the testing. I might be surprised.

I am not firmly in one camp over the other, frankly I have been with AMD because of the value aspect...however, I will say a lot of the hate AMD receives is not justified. For 99$ a FX 6300 is a beast of a chip.

That being said, I also want to spend my money in the most logical manner possible. Historically, AMD always has had a viable upgrade path and most motherboards supporting the next generation CPU... this is my current issue.

If i purchase a 8350, I am investing in a EOL system for the most part. No real architecture upgrade path. And sooner then later, I will need to spend more money on a new CPU/MB

I totally understand the upgrade bug as well. Although, with the generational switch to DDR4 now starting to trickle into desktops -- I'm not sure if I'd sink any money into any non-DDR4 setups. I think DDR4 memory prices will drop when AMD mainstreams DDR4 memory with next year's Carrizo APU's.

I also think Socket 1150 is almost as nearly as dead as AM3 (at least you can get USB 3.0 and PCIE 3.0) -- since Intel loves to change the socket so much and due to DDR3 probably being seen as old tech. I've been able to milk some of my AM3 motherboards since 2009 -- but even my considerably newer 1155 motherboard is already obsolete because of Intel's constantly changing socket. If you want future proof -- Probably LGA 2011 with DDR4 is the only way to go right now. Unfortunately, that is quite an expensive option.

 

[Cheesesticksandbeer]

I totally understand the upgrade bug as well. Although, with the generational switch to DDR4 now starting to trickle into desktops -- I'm not sure if I'd sink any money into any non-DDR4 setups. I think DDR4 memory prices will drop when AMD mainstreams DDR4 memory with next year's Carrizo APU's.

I also think Socket 1150 is almost as nearly as dead as AM3 (at least you can get USB 3.0 and newer standards) -- since Intel loves to change the socket so much and due to DDR3 probably being seen as old tech. I'm been able to milk some of my AM3 motherboards since 2010 -- but even my much newer 1155 motherboard is already obsolete because Intel's constantly changing socket.

Great point.. didn't really think about the DDR4 aspect.

 

[kawi6rr]

OP i check my sig. I game on both and i'll tell you that you wont be able to tell them apart. When i run benches my i7 is faster, sometimes not so much and other times quite a bit faster but playing games, you know, the real stuff, you can't see differences.

With that said, you could sell your 6300 to offset some of the cost and buy a 8350 and that would take care of that itch but in reality you will not see any improvements, it's just in your mind.

I would give that 6300 @ 4.6ghz another shot with the second 7970. If you still unhappy after that then just get a 4790K

I couldn't agree more!

 

[frozentundra123456]

Or you could look at it the other way and buy a new CPU that can use the DDR3 ram that you already have.

Unless you are planning to game on the igp, DDR4 just seems like an expensive "upgrade" that will have little benefit for gaming. But as I said before, and others seem to agree, I would either stick with what you have or upgrade to 4790k.

 

[Rvenger]

If I purchase a i5/Z97, Im out about 280 compared to 150, but I will have a Devil's C chip and an upgrade path to broadwell. For me, this is the first time I am looking at an upgrade path without any real viable future upgrade options with AMD. That is in a nutshell the issue

But remember, once Broadwell is out then consider it a dead platform on an upgrade standpoint and DDR 3 will be considered EOL as well. Double edged sword. I'd try to see if you could hold on to that FX rig a little longer and take the plunge to a DDR4 platform later on. Save some coin and go haswell-e. I am sure people will upgrade to Broadwell-E and give you a killer deal on a 5820k next year.

 

[Ramses]

fwiw my 8350 sold in less than 48hrs for $35 less than I paid for it new a year ago, and it looks like that's been consistent on ebay as well. The 1090t I had briefly and sold went as quickly for not far from the same money as I recall. Thirty bucks ain't bad rent for a year on a decent CPU in my book. I'm out of pocked like $60 on my 9590 now lol. Hopefully I can just leave it be till ddr4 stuff is cheap, in whatever flavor.

 

[poohbear]

Hello

I am wanting to update my primary rig. AMD FX 6300 @ 4.6ghz, gigabyte 990FXA-ud3, 8gig ddr3 1600, 2x840 evo ssds, Corsair TX750 PSU, and Sapphire 7970 (second in the mail for crossfire).

Basically I am looking at getting a 8350 for 150$ or i5\Z97 combo for 285$ at micro center. My big issue is, with having a solid board, is the 8350 the smart upgrade or would the Intel path be better. No issues with cost, more focused on which purchase would be wiser of the two. I have been looking and watching prices for awhile, I can not decide.

Gaming
Bf4
Thief
Titanfall
Csgo
Dota2
Diablo3
Dayz

I also use 3 monitors, if that matters.

If cost is no issue, definitely an intel. I said bye to AMD after the phenomII 6 core, the FX line was a fiasco. More power & the same benches as my Phenom II?? I had enough. got a 2500k & never looked at AMD again for CPUs (up until then i had only owned AMD since the Barton days!). They said themselves theyre targeting the budget market, not for gamers pr enthusiasts. They just cant compete on that end.

 

[positivedoppler]

Hold out for another year for either Zen or Skylake. Current generation from both company is kinda boring.

 

[PPB]

Zen is coming in 2 yrs

 

[positivedoppler]

Zen is coming in 2 yrs

Only 3 more months left in 2014 and Zen will be early 2016 so I say a little over a year not 2 years.

 

[Enigmoid]

Only 3 more months left in 2014 and Zen will be early 2016 so I say a little over a year not 2 years.

Will they have it out in early or late 2016? Lots of stuff has been delayed so I wouldn't put a bet on it.

 

[richaron]

Well I abandoned my AM3+ rig running a Phenom 2. I'm not proper gamer (and was never blown away by AM3+ CPUs) so I could have been OK riding it out to the DDR4 era... apart from the energy usage.

I totally understand the upgrade bug as well. Although, with the generational switch to DDR4 now starting to trickle into desktops -- I'm not sure if I'd sink any money into any non-DDR4 setups. I think DDR4 memory prices will drop when AMD mainstreams DDR4 memory with next year's Carrizo APU's.

I read Carrizo will be DDR3 & drop into the current FM2+ motherboards. At least, having an FM2+ system, I hope it is. Though maybe the mobile variant will be different.

 

[Ramses]

Picked up 5fps 8350 to 9590
Hasn't caught fire yet.

 

[Shamrock]

IMO, buy an 8350 (or the new 8370 that just came out), overclock it (you said you have water cooled), be happy until DDR4 mobos arrive and are in good stock. THEN upgrade to DDR4 mobo, Intel, and new ddr4 ram.

The most you'll be out is under $200.