Should I get an AMD CPU for gaming?

[el etro]

The only AMD CPU worth it is the FX6xxx series. And thats still short term investment. Everything else they have to offer is rubbish and not worth it besides some niche cases.

FX8320 worth too. Many times i saw it at i3 price at NewEgg.

 

[SlowSpyder]

AtenRa, try not to take that personally as I think he is just a bit upset that he knows that you are an AMD reseller but you do not disclose it in your sig, which i feel would be a proper thing to do especially in a "Which should I buy AMD or Intel" thread. I hope you can understand his, and I'm sure, other's concerns and be sympathetic towards that.

OT: So, using newegg for a baseline, what is the best system from AMD and Intel that can be had for 550 bucks and which will outperform the other overall? Should we look strictly at AMD's FX series like the FX-6300 or what?

This looks sweet from Intel - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...=Combo.1543423

And I have a shopping cart full of "equivalent" AMD parts worth 633.00

I'm sure i could skim off a bit but I chose the FX9370 instead of FX 6300. Using the 6300 would be about 130 dollars cheaper.
Also don't forget to include the 650Ti or AMD equivalent.
Around just above 500 bucks for an AMD system. Now, are these two systems comparable in performance?

These systems are Without the operating systems of course.

Thoughts?

I think you'll have to skim a little... I wouldn't put a 220 watt CPU in a micro ATX board.

Tigerdirect had that board (I think it was that board) paired with the FX 8320 in their suggestions. For $210 total it isn't a terrible combo, though I imagine overclocking is limited and you'd be limited in expansion with that board.

 

[Keysplayr]

Then by all means pick a better suited board.

And why aren't EDIT's being recorded with time stamps anymore here? Like below.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Because? Then what about the FX8320 or FX6300 (models?) What is wrong with a micro ATX board for gaming? I picked it because it was cheap.

And why aren't EDIT's being recorded with time stamps anymore here?

Nothing is wrong with a micro atx board. It is just that I would be very surprised if it could give an FX 9370 the power it needs. The board is fine, I think it just has to be paired with a different CPU.

Edits are still recorded, but if you edit within a minute or so of posting it doesn't record it. I have a terrible habit of posting before I complete my thought... sorry! And then I go back and ninja edit <- This line added via ninja edit.

 

[Keysplayr]

Nothing is wrong with a micro atx board. It is just that I would be very surprised if it could give an FX 9370 the power it needs. The board is fine, I think it just has to be paired with a different CPU.

Edits are still recorded, but if you edit within a minute or so of posting it doesn't record it. I have a terrible habit of posting before I complete my thought... sorry! And then I go back and ninja edit <- This line added via ninja edit.

Heh, ok. I do the same thing. Just never realized there wasn't a time stamp in that case.

Ok, so then a FX6300 added. A FX9370 removed, and a GTX 650Ti added. (I'm just trying to match the Intel rig part for part)


Still at 633. Any other components could be swapped out that are unnecessarily priced too high?

 

[SlowSpyder]

That's a fine build, but if I can mix and match I can do a little better with Tigerdirect:

$350 Barebones combo (FX6300)

$60 120GB SSD

And enough left over for a video card upgrade:$165 Maxwell

Total is $575, the only thing that doesn't look to have free shipping is the video card, but I imagine they'd just throw that in a box with the rest of the parts.

I didn't see any good AMD barebones systems on Newegg... looking for Intel systems on Tigerdirect now.

*edit - I should also mention that this build would still be around this price (cheaper actually) with a $145 AR 7850 1GB as well.

*edit 2 - $15 more and you have a 2GB 7850. That would make for a very complete 1080P gaming system for about $600.

 

[Keysplayr]

That's a fine build, but if I can mix and match I can do a little better with Tigerdirect:

$350 Barebones combo (FX6300)

$60 120GB SSD

And enough left over for a video card upgrade:$165 Maxwell

Total is $575, the only thing that doesn't look to have free shipping is the video card, but I imagine they'd just throw that in a box with the rest of the parts.

I didn't see any good AMD barebones systems on Newegg... looking for Intel systems on Tigerdirect now.

*edit - I should also mention that this build would still be around this price (cheaper actually) with a $145 AR 7850 1GB as well.

*edit 2 - $15 more and you have a 2GB 7850. That would make for a very complete 1080P gaming system for about $600.

Graphics cards need to be equal. Only CPU and mobo are the variables. So you'll have to remove the 650Ti from the Intel rig and add the 2GB 7850 or GTX660 for both. Then I think we are golden.

That being said, which of these two systems will perform better overall? With the focus on gaming as per the OP?

 

[SPBHM]

Wasted die space, if you ask me. I have plenty of PCI/PCI-E cards to troubleshoot with. I know, this has been discussed to death before.


You won't find a sub $50 board with decent onboard sound (ALC889, ALC892, ALC898), let alone ALC1150. Now, that is true, one can adapt... but after comparing 892 vs 1150, I don't wanna go back. Like I said, that's the only decently implemented feature of that board. Now, remember, this is sound... you can't measure it with fps, everything is very individual.

yes, it is, but there is no way around it, they want to use the same thing for mobile...

audio can be very subjective, as I said with 2 headphones I had both solutions performed diferently, my favorite audio chip changed with the different headphones, you can analyze audio chips by specs, rightmark or whatever but...

I've seen cheap (50-60) 892 mobos, but most use lower end stuff,

AtenRa, try not to take that personally as I think he is just a bit upset that he knows that you are an AMD reseller but you do not disclose it in your sig, which i feel would be a proper thing to do especially in a "Which should I buy AMD or Intel" thread. I hope you can understand his, and I'm sure, other's concerns and be sympathetic towards that.

OT: So, using newegg for a baseline, what is the best system from AMD and Intel that can be had for 550 bucks and which will outperform the other overall? Should we look strictly at AMD's FX series like the FX-6300 or what?

This looks sweet from Intel - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...=Combo.1543423

And I have a shopping cart full of "equivalent" AMD parts worth 633.00

I'm sure i could skim off a bit but I chose the FX9370 instead of FX 6300. Using the 6300 would be about 130 dollars cheaper.
Also don't forget to include the 650Ti or AMD equivalent.
Around just above 500 bucks for an AMD system. Now, are these two systems comparable in performance?

These systems are Without the operating systems of course.

Thoughts?

SB 710 and sata III SSDs will limit a little,

also I think the 1230V3 makes the 9370 not that interesting, since it's the same price and 80 vs 220w tdp, both with 8t.

don't buy a 3350P + h61,
4440, 4560 + h81 is much nicer for the same money.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Graphics cards need to be equal. Only CPU and mobo are the variables. So you'll have to remove the 650Ti from the Intel rig and add the 2GB 7850 or GTX660 for both. Then I think we are golden.

That being said, which of these two systems will perform better overall? With the focus on gaming as per the OP?

$350+$60+$120 for the AMD system, $530 total. I'd say close enough for a comparrison.


To answer which I'd rather game on would depend on how far I can overclock the non-k i5. I am not familiar with the non-k i5's, I know they allow for some turbo bin overclocks, but how far can I expect that i5 on that motherboard to go?

A 3.1/3.3GHz i5 vs. a 3.5/4.1GHz FX6300 is what it comes down to. I bet they are pretty close in lightly threaded apps (the frequency advantage helping AMD here, and keep in mind this is an Ivy based i5). In heavily threaded applications I have to think the FX pulls ahead. Also the FX has a fully unlocked multiplier. The Intel system will have a little better power draw.

Those are the pros/cons as I see it between these two systems, and I'd give a slight edge to the FX in my opinion. Though I could see how someone would be probably nearly just as happy with either.

 

[SPBHM]

A 3.1/3.3GHz i5 vs. a 3.5/4.1GHz FX6300 is what it comes down to. I bet they are pretty close in lightly threaded apps (the frequency advantage helping AMD here, and keep in mind this is an Ivy based i5). In heavily threaded applications I have to think the FX pulls ahead. Also the FX has a fully unlocked multiplier. The Intel system will have a little better power draw.

i5 will have a very big advantage for 1-4t load.
cb11.5
st
3350p = 1.39p
6300 = 1.07
MT
3350p = 5.16p
6300 = 4.53p

also the 3350P supports the 400MHz OC (if p/z mb), and as I said, haswell i5 is already on the market for not a lot more.

6300 is a good alternative to i3s, not i5s

 

[Gikaseixas]

FX 8320 is a solid buy for gamers. I can run any game with my FX 8350 and a 7970. I used that combo for months and then got a i7 because i just wanted a successor my trusty old i7 860.
I did see a difference but not in games, more like the Z87 chipset, it's so much better than the AMD one, the features alone make it worth it to upgrade. AMD is spreading the 990FX chipset way too thin IMO.

 

[crashtech]

6300 makes the case with overclocking, but good supporting components must be utilized to achieve good stable OC, which partially erodes the price advantage.

 

[AtenRa]

AtenRa, try not to take that personally as I think he is just a bit upset that he knows that you are an AMD reseller but you do not disclose it in your sig, which i feel would be a proper thing to do especially in a "Which should I buy AMD or Intel" thread. I hope you can understand his, and I'm sure, other's concerns and be sympathetic towards that.

What he did is a member callout, it is forbidden in the Anandtech Forums and Im waiting for the admins to take the necessary action against that member.
Also, I didnt know it was obligatory to disclose our profession when joining AT Forums.
My profession is not of this forum concern. I dont work for AMD, Intel, NVIDIA etc or being a member of any program from those companies, like you are, that needs to be disclosed in my sig.

 

[Keysplayr]

What he did is a member callout, it is forbidden in the Anandtech Forums and Im waiting for the admins to take the necessary action against that member.
Also, I didnt know it was obligatory to disclose our profession when joining AT Forums.
My profession is not of this forum concern. I dont work for AMD, Intel, NVIDIA etc or being a member of any program from those companies, like you are, that needs to be disclosed in my sig.

Yes indeed. He did call you out and it wasn't done in a respectful way either. But I think it was clear that if you take away all the name calling "shill" and the like, you'll find that there is reason for concern for the underlying sentiment.
And I'd respectfully disagree that in this instance, that your profession doesn't concern this forum. You can actually see, as per Durp's posts, that it "does" concern at least one person on this forum. I'm certain there are others. You do not work for AMD, Intel or Nvidia directly, but you are an AMD reseller which promotes great concern when you are seen posting in a "Which should I buy, AMD or Intel" thread.

I am in the Nvidia focus group and it's there for all to see in my sig. If I participate in a which should I buy, Nvidia or AMD thread, at least people can see where my preferences lay. It's open and out there. I think that is what Durp had the issue with. I'm sure you reported him, and rightly so for the way he spoke to you, but to think that reporting him will silence him, that may be a different animal altogether.

 

[AtenRa]

Yes indeed. He did call you out and it wasn't done in a respectful way either. But I think it was clear that if you take away all the name calling "shill" and the like, you'll find that there is reason for concern for the underlying sentiment.
And I'd respectfully disagree that in this instance, that your profession doesn't concern this forum. You can actually see, as per Durp's posts, that it "does" concern at least one person on this forum. I'm certain there are others. You do not work for AMD, Intel or Nvidia directly, but you are an AMD reseller which promotes great concern when you are seen posting in a "Which should I buy, AMD or Intel" thread.

I am in the Nvidia focus group and it's there for all to see in my sig. If I participate in a which should I buy, Nvidia or AMD thread, at least people can see where my preferences lay. It's open and out there. I think that is what Durp had the issue with. I'm sure you reported him, and rightly so for the way he spoke to you, but to think that reporting him will silence him, that may be a different animal altogether.

If he has a problem or concern about me or my profession he can pm me and ask me. Or he/she can talk to an Admin and be directed.

And just to let you and everyone else know, im not only an AMD reseller

 

[TerryMathews]

If he has a problem or concern about me or my profession he can pm me and ask me. Or he/she can talk to an Admin and be directed.

And just to let you and everyone else know, im not only an AMD reseller

You mean a retailer might sell both AMD and Intel? I can hardly believe it! :sly:

 

[Keysplayr]

You mean a retailer might sell both AMD and Intel? I can hardly believe it! :sly:

Not sure he actually said that Terry. But this is a prime reason for disclosure of this kind. Better to just get it out there than to be questioned all the time.

 

[TerryMathews]

Not sure he actually said that Terry.

Do you have evidence to the contrary?

 

[Keysplayr]

Do you have evidence to the contrary?

What does that even mean? Do you have evidence that he doesn't sell Aquafina? I'm only going by what his actual words were, Terry. So should you. The only thing that I know "for sure" that he sells, is AMD product. Because he said so. Why are you getting in the middle here?

Apologies to the rest of the thread participants for the OT.

 

[TerryMathews]

What does that even mean? Do you have evidence that he doesn't sell Aquafina? I'm only going by what his actual words were, Terry. So should you. The only thing that I know "for sure" that he sells, is AMD product. Because he said so. Why are you getting in the middle here?

Why are you getting so defensive about it? I posted a comment, in jest as indicated by the :sly:, that wasn't even specifically about his shop but a general statement.

Since were on the subject though, common sense dictates that he sells both unless you have knowledge that he's an AMD-only shop. Every retailer ive been to since the early Athlon days sells both.

It's far far more likely for a shop to be Intel only than AMD only.

But most importantly of all, hes a retailer. Does every poster here need to disclose the businesses they own or who they work for in order to be aboveboard in your eyes?

There is a gulf of difference between running a computer retailer and being a "paid shill". Please keep that in mind.

 

[escrow4]

You want to match a poky old 8320 with an obsolete ultra cheapo 760 chipset board (ignoring the fact that AM3+ is dead) and a horrible raidmax PSU? There is zero reason to consider an 8320 with any AM3 board when a 4570 would give you way better performance matched to H81 or B85, even locked. An extra $50-$60 for the CPU results in way better performance and way less power usage. And no one has mentioned the minimum's, that AMD chip just can't keep up:

http://gamegpu.ru/action-/-fps-/-tps/saints-row-iv-test-gpu.html

Typical console port, 8350 gets 41/58, an old Sandy i5 gets 61/84.

Hitman Absolution:

http://www.techspot.com/review/608-hitman-absolution-performance-benchmarks/page6.html

8350 gets 50, and an IVB i5 gets 58, just based off the architecture. On balance, there is less and less reason to even consider FX. The tiny savings over the life of the build for what?

 

[jhu]

8350 gets 50, and an IVB i5 gets 58, just based off the architecture. On balance, there is less and less reason to even consider FX. The tiny savings over the life of the build for what?

A better video card perhaps? Not everyone has unlimited resources.

Come to think of it, those graphs indicate that older processors are good enough. Then you can put the savings into an even better video card.

 

[SlowSpyder]

You want to match a poky old 8320 with an obsolete ultra cheapo 760 chipset board (ignoring the fact that AM3+ is dead) and a horrible raidmax PSU? There is zero reason to consider an 8320 with any AM3 board when a 4570 would give you way better performance matched to H81 or B85, even locked. An extra $50-$60 for the CPU results in way better performance and way less power usage. And no one has mentioned the minimum's, that AMD chip just can't keep up:

http://gamegpu.ru/action-/-fps-/-tps/saints-row-iv-test-gpu.html

Typical console port, 8350 gets 41/58, an old Sandy i5 gets 61/84.

Hitman Absolution:

http://www.techspot.com/review/608-hitman-absolution-performance-benchmarks/page6.html

8350 gets 50, and an IVB i5 gets 58, just based off the architecture. On balance, there is less and less reason to even consider FX. The tiny savings over the life of the build for what?

I'm not going to try and argue that AMD is better for gaming than Intel i5/i7's, but I think you're being a little harsh here. Without a graph we don't know if the minimums are hit (or around the minimums) often or if there is just a spot where the frame dips for both system, though be it more for the AMD system. Otherwise we have an AMD system that gives you almost 60FPS average. Obviously not as good as the Intel system in this game, but hardly what I'd consider a bad gaming experience.

 

[el etro]

No limits, Intel + Nvidia is the best combo nowadays.

No.

 

[el etro]

I'm not going to try and argue that AMD is better for gaming than Intel i5/i7's, but I think you're being a little harsh here. Without a graph we don't know if the minimums are hit (or around the minimums) often or if there is just a spot where the frame dips for both system, though be it more for the AMD system. Otherwise we have an AMD system that gives you almost 60FPS average. Obviously not as good as the Intel system in this game, but hardly what I'd consider a bad gaming experience.

The unique FX problem is its power consumption. In US this is no problem for the users.

This looks sweet from Intel - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...=Combo.1543423

And I have a shopping cart full of "equivalent" AMD parts worth 633.00

But you take a premium combo for the AMD system and a basic combo for Intel. And the AMD system will end with a better user experience once you have better components in it.
FX 9370 can be substituted by the AMD Fx-8320 if user don't want to overclock the system. He just need to turn off CnQ and use K10stat or TurionPowerControl to set clocks from stock/factory first P-state to four point as many hertz he can. Once we know that not many operating FX-9370 will clocks the max turbo it can(4.7Ghz), the FX-8320 will end becoming a better choice.

Avg overclock on air for FX-8320: 4,66Ghz.