ASRock FM2A68M-DG3+ Processor Suggestion

[watrhous]

I am looking for a processor suggestion for this ASRock FM2A68M-DG3+.
Apparently you have to have a gpu to use the integrated gfx. I was not aware of this on the first build so had to add a gfx card. So I am looking for a processor that has a gpu. I am not familiar with all the ins and outs so please forgive me if that is blatantly obvious and if I have, as a result, excluded needed information to assist me.

I previously put in a AMD Athlon X4 860k but soon discovered that without a GPU the onboard graphics on the mainboard will not work. So I had to buy a GeForce GT 710 to use the box.

Im hoping to spend less that $75 but if this is not realistic then I will suffer through.
I have looked on part picker but I do not know what exactly the different specs are for.

 

[Obakasama]

I confess I'm a little confused... From the info on ASRock's own site, the reference to "integrated" graphics is rather ambiguous. On the page linked, I believe it is poor type setting lending itself to this ambiguity. On the specifications page it mentions "Integrated AMD Radeon™ R7/R5 Series Graphics in A-series APU".

The x4 860k doesn't have an integrated graphics chip and I have my doubts the motherboard itself has a graphics chip. If it had one there really isn't a reason why you would need a graphics card for the integrated graphics to work.

What we do know is what the motherboard can support from this page. Really, you're looking at the A4, A6, A8 or A10 family of processors which have integrated graphics; what tend to be called APUs. You could pick a processor which meets your budget.

The problem is the x4 860k is the second best 'pure' CPU for the motherboard; the best being the x4 880k. This CPU part of the x4 860k is similar to the A10 7700k or A10 7850k if memory serves. So you'd be losing out on computing power. (If you're not gaming then it will be fine.) Personally, I'm not sure this change to an APU with your budget constraint is really worthwhile because you'd be compromising on both the CPU and the GPU aspect of the PC. As it is now, you have a good CPU (with respect to the motherboard) and a graphics card not designed for gaming.

My own suggestion is to see if you could somehow stretch your budget to a bit more to get a better graphics card. Is returning the GT 710 for a refund an option? If it is then you'd have a bit more at your disposal. $100 could even get you a GTX 750 ti and be better than the integrated graphics on any of the APUs.

I have no doubt you're in a difficult position to make a decision as to what you want to do, but do consider carefully what you want to achieve with this PC.

 

[watrhous]

I confess I'm a little confused... From the info on ASRock's own site, the reference to "integrated" graphics is rather ambiguous. On the page linked, I believe it is poor type setting lending itself to this ambiguity. On the specifications page it mentions "Integrated AMD Radeon™ R7/R5 Series Graphics in A-series APU".

The x4 860k doesn't have an integrated graphics chip and I have my doubts the motherboard itself has a graphics chip. If it had one there really isn't a reason why you would need a graphics card for the integrated graphics to work.

What we do know is what the motherboard can support from this page. Really, you're looking at the A4, A6, A8 or A10 family of processors which have integrated graphics; what tend to be called APUs. You could pick a processor which meets your budget.

The problem is the x4 860k is the second best 'pure' CPU for the motherboard; the best being the x4 880k. This CPU part of the x4 860k is similar to the A10 7700k or A10 7850k if memory serves. So you'd be losing out on computing power. (If you're not gaming then it will be fine.) Personally, I'm not sure this change to an APU with your budget constraint is really worthwhile because you'd be compromising on both the CPU and the GPU aspect of the PC. As it is now, you have a good CPU (with respect to the motherboard) and a graphics card not designed for gaming.

My own suggestion is to see if you could somehow stretch your budget to a bit more to get a better graphics card. Is returning the GT 710 for a refund an option? If it is then you'd have a bit more at your disposal. $100 could even get you a GTX 750 ti and be better than the integrated graphics on any of the APUs.

I have no doubt you're in a difficult position to make a decision as to what you want to do, but do consider carefully what you want to achieve with this PC.

That is great info. I think I will take your suggestion and just keep the CPU and consider an upgrade for gfx card. I am not using the box to game, its just a project that fell into my lap. So do you think that the GT710 is lacking in comparison to potential integrated? I bought it because it was a $45 solution to my problem but if there is a processor that I can spend the extra $45 on and get better results I will do so. I am not sure that an update gfx card is necessary since I am not gaming. Although there may be some Photoshop CS5 use in the future. Thanks again for the excellent repose. Sounds like that is just what i needed to hear.

 

[Obakasama]

As I understand it, the GT graphics cards are capable and simplistic in their usage. For normal everyday tasks, eg. word processing, internet browsing, video watching, they'd be fine. But gaming requires a different sort of graphics card like the GTX models or AMD equivalents. (I didn't find out until I tried to game on an old PC bought for work purposes.)

As for comparing the integrated graphics to the GT 710... there are areas in which the GT 710 has higher numbers. The integrated graphics are better for gaming, but non-gaming usage I would say there isn't much of an advantage.

I'm not familiar with Photoshop CS5, but from a bit of searching I found this. I see another variant of the software but it also mentions the requirement of OpenGL 2.0. The GT 710 should suffice depending on what you're doing, at least at a basic level. By comparison, professional solutions can run into thousands.

As you aren't gaming on this and likely to use Photoshop CS5, then sticking to your current configuration makes more sense. Better to save the money to put towards something more suited to your needs. For a graphics card upgrade, make sure you check the requirements of the software and buy a graphics card which has the necessary features.