Budget wise, what would you prefer?

[Random M]

Would you prefer a cheap cpu (AMD) and an expensive gpu, or a fairly expensive cpu (Intel) and a gpu that's slightly lower than the amount of money of the cpu?
For gaming, not really any video rendering or editing, just smooth gaming.

 

[Eduello]

Depends on what I'd be doing with them.

 

[Random M]

Depends on what I'd be doing with them.

updated my description, hahah, for gaming as a primary use

 

[1N07]

Depends on the budget, but I would say if they're for gaming something like: AMD FX-6300 and GTX 750 Ti.
If you have more money to use: FX 8320 or 8350 and maybe GTX770 or even 780 if you can afford it.

 

[zeph_yr]

I'd go AMD CPU and awesome graphics card if it was just for gaming.

However it also depends on what games you play. Some require more powerful processors than others.

 

[Eduello]

Definitely cheaper CPU. more expensive GPU. Always spend more money on the GPU in a gaming build. For example, FX-8350 + GTX 780 will beat i7-4770k + GTX 770 in (approximately) 95% of all modern games.

 

[Random M]

I'd go AMD CPU and awesome graphics card if it was just for gaming.

However it also depends on what games you play. Some require more powerful processors than others.

Most ultra-settings games run as low as 30 fps minimum on gtx 750 ti and above, but tbh I wouldn't mind running on high settings and anti liasing to 2x rather than 4x... Not sure if you could give me an opinion on what I just said but if I don't plan on running extremely maxed out, cpu shouldn't be such a big problem right?

 

[zeph_yr]

Yeah, as long as you don't severely bottleneck the GPU (ex: using a 780 and a celeron processor), things should run well on a 750ti.

 

[Onus]

I agree with the sentiment of spending as much as possible on the graphics card in a pure gamer, provided the CPU is powerful "enough." For example, I probably would not drop back all the way to a FX-4300, unless benchmarks of the specific games I'd be playing show it is enough.
That said, in my particular case, most of my gaming has become older and/or casual titles (the HD7750 has been enough, most of the time), so a fast CPU can be nice. It really depends on how much time you'll spend gaming, and which games you'll be playing. You'll also need a stronger graphics card if you want to play games across multiple monitors, and a stronger CPU if you want to stream your games while you are playing.

 

[Random M]

I agree with the sentiment of spending as much as possible on the graphics card in a pure gamer, provided the CPU is powerful "enough." For example, I probably would not drop back all the way to a FX-4300, unless benchmarks of the specific games I'd be playing show it is enough.
That said, in my particular case, most of my gaming has become older and/or casual titles (the HD7750 has been enough, most of the time), so a fast CPU can be nice. It really depends on how much time you'll spend gaming, and which games you'll be playing. You'll also need a stronger graphics card if you want to play games across multiple monitors, and a stronger CPU if you want to stream your games while you are playing.

What does it mean to stream your games? 😵

 

[Eduello]

I agree with the sentiment of spending as much as possible on the graphics card in a pure gamer, provided the CPU is powerful "enough." For example, I probably would not drop back all the way to a FX-4300, unless benchmarks of the specific games I'd be playing show it is enough.
That said, in my particular case, most of my gaming has become older and/or casual titles (the HD7750 has been enough, most of the time), so a fast CPU can be nice. It really depends on how much time you'll spend gaming, and which games you'll be playing. You'll also need a stronger graphics card if you want to play games across multiple monitors, and a stronger CPU if you want to stream your games while you are playing.

What does it mean to stream your games? 😵

It means that you're sending a live feed of your screen to a website like twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/

 

[Onus]

^That. Some time ago, Paul tested a deliberately unbalanced build in the $500 SBM, pairing a Celeron with (I think) a HD7970. Yes, it could actually play most games well at 1920x1080 (I don't think he tested any MMOs), but was a slug at anything else. It was an interesting build.

 

[Adroid]

Better if you give a budget to work off of and go from there.

I personally lean towards a stronger CPU and weaker GPU because it's easier to upgrade the GPU if your CPU is still strong. Once your CPU is too slow your system is bottlenecked until you rebuild.

Combos I would recommend:
6300 + GTX 660
I5 4440 + gtx760, 770, or 280
i5 4670k + anything

I personally would go with a 3570k or 4670k, overclock it, and buy whatever GPU you can afford. Then in a couple years get a better GPU and your PC will be smoking fast again. Keep in mind that for instance the gtx 770 is actually a 680 that's overclocked and faster for 200$ less. Makes sense to not be bottlenecked by your CPU when GPUs are outdated faster anyway.

 

[Onus]

Another thing to keep in mind, is that sometimes a cheaper [unlocked] AMD CPU can be overclocked for better performance, BUT doing so will require a more expensive motherboard (e.g. the VRMs must be good), and another $25-$35 for a reasonable air cooler. This may make a more expensive but locked Intel CPU on a cheaper motherboard the better deal.