APU or CPU

[DgtlRenegade]

Hello, quick question. I'm set on trying out one of AMD's CPUs. My question is, for gaming, would it be better to get an APU and crossfire it with my Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card or just go with a CPU and the same video card alone? I ask, because I hate all the mobo's for AM3+ CPUs but I found a couple I really like for APUs. I know intel is generally better for gaming but I've heard AMD isn't as far behind as everyone says and it is hundreds of dollars cheaper. If I end up going the CPU route I'll end up with an ASUS sabertooth for $150.00 or if I go for an APU I'll grab the Asus A88X-Pro for $70.00 so the price difference is pretty significant.

 

[Karadjgne]

Cpu and dedicated gpu. Most 990 boards are good for fx 8 series cpus, the sabertooth is one of the higher grade boards, but you are paying a premium for the tuff armor

 

[kawininjazx]

You should get an i5 then there are lots of nice boards out there.

 

[DgtlRenegade]

Ah I see thanks. Just a clarification I was planning on cross firing the APU and the dedicated GPU not just sticking with APU's graphics. You're saying the APU will not really add to my computers graphics?

EDIT: I know i5's are better for gaming but I can't justify the $200.00 price increase between AMD and Intel's chips.

 

[neieus]

While you will see a performance increase in games with a hybrid setup you'll get far more performance overall with a CPU over the apu for games that can take advantage of multiple cores 6+.

 

[k1114]

You can't pair a 280 with any apu. The highest is the 250. The reason is simple, the igpu is for so weak and how cf works is alternating frames. Would you be looking at the fx 8 series?

 

[DgtlRenegade]

Yes I was looking at the FX series for an APU. CPU, on the other hand, I see no reason why I should go with the Fx 8xxx as opposed to the Fx 6300, they're clocked at the same the only difference is the 8 has 8 cores whereas the 6 has 6 cores. Nowadays, I think 6 cores is plenty.