Since when did AM3(+) become so expensive?

[VirtualLarry]

Looking at the CPUs at Newegg, the cheapest is ~$110, other than some open-box single-core Semprons for ~$25 + ship.

Granted, they have a mobo on shellshocker for under $40, but still, the CPUs are kind of expensive these days.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Didn't AMD stop making most of the FX series?

 

[Cerb]

Quite awhile ago. The cheap CPUs are on FM2(+).

 

[cbn]

Looking at the CPUs at Newegg, the cheapest is ~$110, other than some open-box single-core Semprons for ~$25 + ship.

Granted, they have a mobo on shellshocker for under $40, but still, the CPUs are kind of expensive these days.

I think your best bet would be one of those Micro Center in-store deals, like this one:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...on_38GHz_Quad-Core_Socket_AM3_Boxed_Processor

or $5 less (without cooler):

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428114/FX_4130_Black_Edition_38-39_GHZ_Quad-Core_Tray_CPU

 

[infoiltrator]

The Athlon X4 APUs, no iGPU at $80 (though no L3 cache) are the "bargain" AMD CPUs
The FX-63XX at $110 or so is probably the best price/performance chip.

Basically you get to overclock, the TDPs are reasonable, and the Phenom IIs cost more when you can find them.

What are you trying to build?

 

[Ketchup]

AMD CPU's are like that. I think it's due to demand. There are a lot of people that want to upgrade to these on their older boards/systems.

Ran into this when I got an Athlon 64 X2 4200+ for my file/media server. There were a couple faster chips that would fit my board, but they were between 2x and 3x more expensive. Crazy.

 

[wilds]

The Athlon 860k looks pretty promising paired with a GTX 750 ti or R9 270x. Its on FM2+ and should be a pretty inexpensive build.

 

[cbn]

The Athlon 860k looks pretty promising paired with a GTX 750 ti or R9 270x. Its on FM2+ and should be a pretty inexpensive build.

Regarding the lower end processors (like 860K/760K/750K, Core i3, Pentium G3258), if only we had more data when these are combined with the low to midrange cards.

 

[mikeymikec]

Whenever I've reviewed the lower-end AMD CPUs (in the Pentium/i3 range), I've concluded they're too expensive based on their capabilities when compared to Intel's selection. That and I've never had so much trouble with ASUS motherboards except when they had AMD series chipsets (7 and 8). Since I went back to using Intel boards, the frequency of those issues has dropped like a stone.

I'm also seeing quite a few FX CPUs in sale in the UK. My AM3 board is allegedly compatible with Vishera, I've considered it a few times.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think your best bet would be one of those Micro Center in-store deals, like this one:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...on_38GHz_Quad-Core_Socket_AM3_Boxed_Processor

or $5 less (without cooler):

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428114/FX_4130_Black_Edition_38-39_GHZ_Quad-Core_Tray_CPU

Those would have made a great deal along with the $26.49 shellshocker ECS AM3+ mobo that Newegg had last night. I missed out on that. Oh well. Didn't really need AM3+ anyways.

Still have two 1045T CPUs that are not currently being utilized.

 

[Cerb]

Whenever I've reviewed the lower-end AMD CPUs (in the Pentium/i3 range), I've concluded they're too expensive based on their capabilities when compared to Intel's selection. That and I've never had so much trouble with ASUS motherboards except when they had AMD series chipsets (7 and 8). Since I went back to using Intel boards, the frequency of those issues has dropped like a stone.

I'm also seeing quite a few FX CPUs in sale in the UK. My AM3 board is allegedly compatible with Vishera, I've considered it a few times.

They had some niches where they are a good value, such as some FPS games (where an FX-6300 and R9 280X would be better than an i3 and R9 280, or i5 and R9 270), but in general, the FX series do cost too much. The $80-120 FM2+ CPUs are good values in general, especially the latest Kaveris, that don't hog idle power.

 

[infoiltrator]

There were a couple articles, Pentium G1358 (unlocked $70) vs FM2+ Athlon X4 $80 CPUs wit video cards.
Tom's Hardware did one with high end card and one with low cost builds.
I think the other I read was Anandtech.

The Kaveri APUs are stronger in video rather than CPU performance, so trinity is "better" with discrete cards, or so I understand.
The unlocked Pentium, overclocked, is a strong choice. There are H series motherboards that can overclock these (Asus anyway).
Choice is a cheap board rated for 84-95 watts (since Pentium is 54 watt) or better board with possible future upgrade.

A Phenom II you own is still a reasonable build.

 

[StrangerGuy]

They had some niches where they are a good value, such as some FPS games (where an FX-6300 and R9 280X would be better than an i3 and R9 280, or i5 and R9 270), but in general, the FX series do cost too much. The $80-120 FM2+ CPUs are good values in general, especially the latest Kaveris, that don't hog idle power.

The problem with AMD since the SB days is that as more and more stuff gets added into a build it becomes increasingly harder not to justify the extra $100 for at least an Intel quad.

Another going against AMD IMO is I can never be sure whether a budget board can handle the FX-6300 @ 95W at stock while the cheapest S1150 board is guaranteed to run a 4790K with a BIOS update.