AMD Phenom II x4 965 for gaming?

[ESKlassen]

I've gotten more and more into gaming and noticed that my computer wasn't exactly the best so I decided that I'd buy some stuff for it.

My current PC is as following;

4 GB RAM.
E5200 2.50GHz
Windows XP SP3-32 bit.
Intel G41 express chip set (yes I know it sucks)

What I'm looking at getting:


AMD Phenom II x4 965.
2 GB GTX 650 ti BOOST.
A motherboard under $120.

Will I be able to play games like Battlefield 3 and COD MW 3 with this setup?

Feel free to suggest another processor under $170.

 

[Kamen_BG]

This setup will allow you to play every new game at reasonable settings.
The Phenom II X4 is a pretty old CPU, but it was high-end back in the day and is still viable as a budget gaming CPU.

By the way the best gaming CPU under 170 $ is probably the FX 6350.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113327&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

But in my opinion you should wait another week and snap up one of Intel's upcoming Core i3's.

As for the graphics card, the 650 Ti's are really, really good value, but if you can afford it, I reccomend buying a GTX 660 instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Onus]

Yes, you will be able to play those games on a 965BE. Get a true 900-series chipset motherboard, not a "960" which is really a 760G with some 3rd-party controllers tacked onto it. This will allow you to upgrade to Steamroller later if you so desire. The 965 is $85 now. The cheapest mobo I'd probably get is $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262 because it supports SLI and has heatsinks on the VRMs, so it would be decent for overclocking. Definitely avoid cheap MSI AMD motherboards, as they have a reputation for weak VRMs that pop under load.

 

[ESKlassen]

This setup will allow you to play every new game at reasonable settings.
The Phenom II X4 is a pretty old CPU, but it was high-end back in the day and is still viable as a budget gaming CPU.

By the way the best gaming CPU under 170 $ is probably the FX 6350.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113327&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

But in my opinion you should wait another week and snap up one of Intel's upcoming Core i3's.

As for the graphics card, the 650 Ti's are really, really good value, but if you can afford it, I reccomend buying a GTX 660 instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Thanks for the quick answer =)

GTX 660 it is then.

Should I get more than 4 GB RAM (I don't think so because as I've heard the 32-bit operating systems don't need as much)?

Can you please give me a link to the specifications that the new i3's will have?

Which is the better when compared performance-wise, the AMD FX-6350 or the i5-2400k?

Any ideas on a motherboard?

 

[Bolivious]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116781
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131835
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025

Bam, kick it up a notch.

 

[Onus]

As more games come out that can take advantage of additional cores, the overclockable AMD quads look better and better over the locked Intel i3s.
Edit: Bolivious' choices look good though, if it's in your budget.

 

[ESKlassen]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116781
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131835
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025

Bam, kick it up a notch.

No.

@Onus that's what I thought. And I'd rather get a Quad-core AMD instead of an i3 instead of having to upgrade to a Quad-code in the near future.

 

[ESKlassen]

Is all of this compatible and will it work with my current system?

FX 6350.
2 GB GeForce GTX 660.
4 GB RAM.
ASRock 970 EXTREME4.

 

[Onus]

Yes. Make sure your PSU is up to the task. It should be a quality unit of at least 450W, preferably a little more for better efficiency and longevity.

 

[ESKlassen]

Is the AMD Black Edition - AMD FX -6300 3.5 GHz 6-core Processor better than the FX 6350 3.9 GHz?

Will do =)

 

[Onus]

No, the FX-6350 is just a little better. The difference isn't huge though, so if the price difference is, the FX-6300 would be ok too. Stay with Piledriver though; the FX-6100 is a Faildozer chip, and was disappointing all around.

 

[ESKlassen]

So with the following I'll be able to play games like Battlefield 3 no problem?

FX 6350.
2 GB GeForce GTX 660.
4 GB RAM.
ASRock 970 EXTREME4.
Windows XP SP3 -32 bit.
500 GB memory (dono what kind)

 

[xxnekrosisxx]

I just bought nearly the same exact build(check my other post for what's in it) and currently with a shitty GTX 470, a 2.8 ghz DUAL CORE! (lol) I can run battlefield 3 fine. Whenever you get this build you will be GOLDEN for nearly anything that comes out in the next 2 years, aside from the witcher 3 or crysis 4, but who cares!

 

[Onus]

Yes, you will have no problems, assuming you have a good PSU. I'd suggest a unit built by Seasonic (their own, XFX, some Antec) or perhaps Super Flower (Rosewill Capstone, new Kingwin).

 

[ESKlassen]

Will this do? https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12704349226876638536?q=Rosewill%20Capstone,&hl=es&sa=X&ei=9oqBUbHgNafp0AGrwoCAAw&ved=0CF4Q8wIwAA

Sorry for the large link.

 

[Onus]

Yes, that will be more than enough. A 550W Capstone would be sufficient.

 

[cmi86]

If you plan on overclocking any FX chip, especially a 125w part like the 6350 I would VERY HIGHLY suggest you stay away from 4+1 power phase boards as almost all of the 970 chip set are. The least expensive 8+2 board I am aware of is this gigabyte unit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519&Tpk=970%20ud3&IsVirtualParent=1 I only suggest all this as I went through 3 4+1 970 boards trying to achieve a stable 4.5Ghz on my 6300 and never had any luck. I stepped up to an Asus M5A990FX Pro 2.0 which is 8+2 and bang no issues at all. after i resolved my room mates oc issues on his 4130 with the gigabyte board above.

 

[ESKlassen]

I want to be a 100% sure that I get the best motherboard, graphics card and GPU under $450. Am I guaranteed that with what I have so far or are there better setups for $450?

FX 6350.
2 GB GeForce GTX 660.
ASRock 970 EXTREME4.

 

[Onus]

If you intend to overclock, don't forget a better cooler. I recommend the Xigmatek Gaia. It cools within 1C of the CM Hyper212 EVO, but is 6db quieter and is also cheaper.

 

[ESKlassen]

''
I want to be a 100% sure that I get the best motherboard, graphics card and GPU under $450. Am I guaranteed that with what I have so far or are there better setups for $450?

FX 6350.
2 GB GeForce GTX 660.
ASRock 970 EXTREME4.''

 

[simon12]

I suggest the 965 + 650Ti + Windows 7 if you were thinking of sticking with XP.

 

[ESKlassen]

I want to be a 100% sure that I get the best motherboard, graphics card and GPU under $450. Am I guaranteed that with what I have so far or are there better setups for $450?

FX 6350.
2 GB GeForce GTX 660.
ASRock 970 EXTREME4.

 

[logainofhades]

You could go with FX 6350, the Asrock 970 Extreme 3 and the Power Color 7870 Myst edition for $450 after MIR. The graphics card also comes with some free games.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16800995146

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113327
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131484

 

[cmi86]

I want to be a 100% sure that I get the best motherboard, graphics card and GPU under $450. Am I guaranteed that with what I have so far or are there better setups for $450?

FX 6350.
2 GB GeForce GTX 660.
ASRock 970 EXTREME4.

Like I said before, if you EVER plan on overclocking you FX that extreme-4 will let you down as will most other 970 boards due to their 4+1 phase power delivery systems. The VRM's just cant hold up and you will run into issues. Again I will suggest this board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519 for it's heavier duty power delivery system. It's roughly the same price as the Extreme-4 as well.