Yet another, semi-random, semi-crazy thought. Replace OC SKL w/dGPU with APU?

[VirtualLarry]

Just for kicks? And less power consumption?

Idea: Replace (Sell?) ASRock Z170 Pro4S boards with G4400 OCed (one 130BLCK, one 135BCLK), and SKL i3-6100 (currently without a dGPU).

In place of them, I have (already have all parts), AMD A4-6300 FM2 APU, 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600, Sandisk 120GB SSD, and Linux Mint?

Crazy, eh?

 

[cytg111]

Dude, you just wanna play around with stuff, no biggie, do whatever you want, whatever floats your boat, however from a cost/benefit scenario I dont see you coming out on top of this unless you factor in the 'fun time' you gonna have with reconfiguring/reinstalling all of it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just thinking, maybe I could sell the "SKY OC" rigs, and make a slight profit, even used, since Intel has been cracking down on that feature.

Edit: And it's finally getting warmer here in the Northeast USA. I was thinking, since the SKL CPU + 7950 dGPU, I estimate takes 300W+ at full load, that possibly, the 65W APU would be a bit more power-miserly. (Yes, I know that in relative terms, if the SKL was not overclocked, it might take some less power, but then I would be stuck with Intel iGPU, which, quite frankly, sucks, especially with my particular monitors.)

 

[cbn]

Just for kicks? And less power consumption?

Idea: Replace (Sell?) ASRock Z170 Pro4S boards with G4400 OCed (one 130BLCK, one 135BCLK), and SKL i3-6100 (currently without a dGPU).

In place of them, I have (already have all parts), AMD A4-6300 FM2 APU, 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600, Sandisk 120GB SSD, and Linux Mint?

Crazy, eh?

On the APU I would caution that H.264 decode might not work with Linux Mint.

I wasn't able to get H.264 decode working back when I used my A6-5400K with 17.1 (or was it 17.2?).

 

[Hi-Fi Man]

I would stick with the G4400, get rid of the 7950, and install Ubuntu MATE. Intel *nix drivers are a step above AMD's. It's a superior CPU and under *nix the GPU is probably too.

Apparently the A4-6300 uses piledriver and VLIW4. Why would you go with an APU with an outdated arch and node that has a GPU that isn't even supported anymore?

 

[LTC8K6]

Seems like that's going to be slow graphics.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2000/radeon-hd-8370d-igp.html

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would stick with the G4400, get rid of the 7950, and install Ubuntu MATE. Intel *nix drivers are a step above AMD's. It's a superior CPU and under *nix the GPU is probably too.

Well, would I have to downclock to stock clocks, wouldn't I? I mean, according to ASRock's docs, you can't use the iGPU when using SKY OC. But some have said that's a limitation of Intel's Windows drivers.

I could go ahead and install my GTX950 2GB cards, and install Linux. (Will try Ubuntu MATE.)

As a bonus, I think it's possible to run BOINC and do GPU compute under Linux with NV proprietary drivers. Something that doesn't seem to work with AMD, sadly, which is largely why those two rigs are running Windows 7.

Apparently the A4-6300 uses piledriver and VLIW4. Why would you go with an APU with an outdated arch and node that has a GPU that isn't even supported anymore?

The free AMD GPU drivers still support VLIW4 chips, don't they?

 

[Arachnotronic]

Just thinking, maybe I could sell the "SKY OC" rigs, and make a slight profit, even used, since Intel has been cracking down on that feature.

Edit: And it's finally getting warmer here in the Northeast USA. I was thinking, since the SKL CPU + 7950 dGPU, I estimate takes 300W+ at full load, that possibly, the 65W APU would be a bit more power-miserly. (Yes, I know that in relative terms, if the SKL was not overclocked, it might take some less power, but then I would be stuck with Intel iGPU, which, quite frankly, sucks, especially with my particular monitors.)

The waste...it just boggles my mind

 

[Azuma Hazuki]

Larry, how about maybe throwing some of that copious discretionary income toward a worthy cause? Like helping human trafficking survirors, or the Flint water disaster?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Larry, how about maybe throwing some of that copious discretionary income toward a worthy cause? Like helping human trafficking survirors, or the Flint water disaster?

If I had any copious discretionary income... :| I've borrowed money for some of my toys.

 

[Azuma Hazuki]

...I...don't know what to say to that. Nothing that's repeatable in polite compay anyway, and I've got enough infractions already. Jesus Haploid Christ...

 

[NTMBK]

If I had any copious discretionary income... :| I've borrowed money for some of my toys.

Oh man :\ Stop buying PCs, Larry!

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm not saying that I don't have any discretionary income, because I do. Just not quite "copious", and I have borrowed money in the past to snag various "Hot Deals".

Now I just need to sell off some of my toys.

 

[gorion]

I'm not saying that I don't have any discretionary income, because I do. Just not quite "copious", and I have borrowed money in the past to snag various "Hot Deals".

Now I just need to sell off some of my toys.

How about consolidating everything in 1/2 platforms which suit your needs and sell all the rest?

 

[Hi-Fi Man]

Well, would I have to downclock to stock clocks, wouldn't I? I mean, according to ASRock's docs, you can't use the iGPU when using SKY OC. But some have said that's a limitation of Intel's Windows drivers.

I could go ahead and install my GTX950 2GB cards, and install Linux. (Will try Ubuntu MATE.)

As a bonus, I think it's possible to run BOINC and do GPU compute under Linux with NV proprietary drivers. Something that doesn't seem to work with AMD, sadly, which is largely why those two rigs are running Windows 7.


The free AMD GPU drivers still support VLIW4 chips, don't they?

OC or no OC I would still use that G4400 over a one module piledriver CPU. AMD's open source driver is even worse then AMD's proprietary driver most of the time.

Ubuntu MATE is absolutely amazing, if you've ever used Ubuntu before 11.04 and thought this is how Ubuntu should be then you will love Ubuntu MATE. It's Ubuntu with the look and feel of good old gnome 2 (but MATE).

 

[poofyhairguy]

Larry, how about maybe throwing some of that copious discretionary income toward a worthy cause? Like helping human trafficking survirors, or the Flint water disaster?

This doesn't make sense. You are applying a double standard to Larry because he buys low-end parts.

I never see people on this forum say "instead of buying that hex core and 980 ti for gaming why not buy an i3 and a console instead and donate the rest? The games you play all are console ports so why not put the extra money to a cause more worthy than locked 60fps?"

The minute we start to question each other's monetary decisions the whole house of cards starts to tumble. Technology is what matters.

 

[nerp]

Yeah, all of us are guilty of not doing more for important causes if you think about it.

Larry-- My advice to you is to sell off everything and go back to what you were thinking the other day about what it's like to really use a powerful machine. Consolidate everything into a powerful new machine, sell off everything and you're good. You would end up saving dough but I dunno, you're not going to find nirvana with slow machines. I get it though. I love building machines. I price out builds when I'm bored and try to come up with reasons why it'd be nice to have an extra machine for whatever reason but in reality I have no need and wouldn't use it much beyond installing the OS and poking around a little bit.

 

[crashtech]

It boggles my mind that the proposition to transfer from a dual core CPU with the best ST and IPC performance out there, to a single-module CPU with mediocre ST/IPC could be seriously entertained. Not only that, the 8370D APU graphics are vastly inferior to the 7950, it's not even a contest.

How about sell everything EXCEPT one of your SKL Z170 platforms, sell also the i3 and G4400, and buy a better SKL CPU with the proceeds? That would be moving forward instead of way backwards.

 

[DidelisDiskas]

I understand you fully, tech addiction can be hard to overcome.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Just thinking, maybe I could sell the "SKY OC" rigs, and make a slight profit, even used, since Intel has been cracking down on that feature.

Edit: And it's finally getting warmer here in the Northeast USA. I was thinking, since the SKL CPU + 7950 dGPU, I estimate takes 300W+ at full load, that possibly, the 65W APU would be a bit more power-miserly. (Yes, I know that in relative terms, if the SKL was not overclocked, it might take some less power, but then I would be stuck with Intel iGPU, which, quite frankly, sucks, especially with my particular monitors.)

I guess if you can make enough profit... but the way I see it you're far more likely to waste more money on the depreciation / selling used parts you bought at new prices than you are from extra power use. You'd probably have to save a lot of power for a while to come out on top. I'd suggest undervolting and downclocking what you have a bit if power use is really a concern. Of course like others said, if you just want a new toy, then go for it.

 

[Avalon]

I'd just stick with the G4400 and sell the rest.

 

[AtenRa]

@ VirtualLarry

Just wait for the new AM4 socket and new 28nm HDL APUs at 45-65W TDP.

You will also be able to upgrade to 14nm ZEN/ZEN APUs next year.

 

[PPB]

Is where you live some kind of "anonymous tech addicts" to go and have your condition be treated? Seriously.

 

[crashtech]

@ VirtualLarry

Just wait for the new AM4 socket and new 28nm HDL APUs at 45-65W TDP.

You will also be able to upgrade to 14nm ZEN/ZEN APUs next year.

It's no fun to wait! What makes sense now for budget and mainstream PC users is the Skylake platform.

 

[jihe]

It's time to admit you have a problem, Larry.