JOOK-D :
sapperastro :
JOOK-D :
Ethan Baggot :
Just a word of caution, the amd chips are really hot so make sure to get a good cooler. I'm running an fx 6350 oc'd to 4.3 and I have an h100i on it. Temps low 20's. The cooler is a beast. Also take into account that the fx6300's have more cores + it's a better over clocker than an i3
Once you factor in the cost of a motherboard capable of overclocking and a good CPU cooler, you could have just got a quad i5 which will beat it in any task.
If it was an 8 core FX, I would agree with you. However, it is a 6300, so a half decent motherboard like an ASUS M5A97 R2.0 along with a CM 212 evo is more than enough for some nice overclocking. This is what you would spend in any case. I know I wouldn't use a stock cooler on a 6300 or i5.
You're limited to about 4.3-4.4 for an 83xx CPU on that motherboard. I wouldn't go past 4.4-4.5 with the 6300.
You're going to need more than a CM 212 for that. Temp limited to around 4.3-4.4 with it (I've used one with an 8320).
In this case, an i5 would still outperform it. Even an i3 would outperform an overclocked FX 6300 in many instances.
I'd be happy to use a stock cooler with a chip if left at stock speeds.
An i3 will not outperform an overclocked 6300 in anything except old games, and in that instance it doesn't matter, since both chips will perform good enough at stock speeds on the older stuff.
I would certainly HOPE an i5 would outperform a cheap 6300. I would be incredibly worried if the reverse was true, considering the cost differences. I would feel like a real moron too, having bought an i5...
If you want something for a budget, you have to be happy with 'good enough' performance. You cannot expect to have the same output of power as chips that are $100+ more. The 6300 is the hardest hitter for the money, but it cannot enter the ring against the heavy weights.
As for the overclocking part, I agree with you there. You cannot hit the upper most limits of a 6300 with that board, and I wouldn't even put an 8 core in that board. Stock speeds are good enough for gaming, but if desired, you can pump a 6300 up respectable levels on that motherboard with that cooler.