CPU and MOBO comparison request.

[Oshimoto]

Hello,

I am seeking a comparison between 2 Processors.

The AMD FX 4300 Quad Core 3.8 GHz 8Mb cache and the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Processor Quad Core 6MB L3 Cache, 2MB L2 Cache, 3.4GHz.

Also on a sidenote, what MOBO is better? The Biostar A780L3G or the M5A 78L-M LX Plus.

Thank you for your help!

 

[clutchc]

As to the processors, here is a comparison. A lot depends on what your main use for the machine will be.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/700?vs=102

When it comes to the boards, it's not so easy to compare them in a side by side chart. Look at the boards' features and capabilities and see what is most suitable for your needs.
Biostar: http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=479#dl
Asus: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/M5A78LM_LX_PLUS/
Keep in mind that if you decide on the FX processor, you will need a board with an AM3+ socket, not an AM3. The AM3+ socket is backwards compatible with the Phenom II also.

I've always preferred the Asus name over Biostar when it came to motherboards. And I've built several PCs with both brands. While I've never had a DOA board from either, getting a bad board can happen with any brand. I do believe Asus has a better reputation than Biostar, but that is purely a personal opinion.

 

[Oshimoto]

Best answer selected by Oshimoto.

 

[Oshimoto]

Thanks for the answer, it helps a lot, I have been looking for a CPU comparison site for quite some time now and finally found one thanks to you I think my needs are going to require the FX and Asus. This will be my second build, it's for a friend (birthday present) and he is a gamer so I figure the FX is the way to go. Thanks so much for the help!

 

[clutchc]

Pair either processor with a good graphic card and they will do nicely for gaming.

 

[Oshimoto]

Pair either processor with a good graphic card and they will do nicely for gaming.

Yeah the two processors are almost the same on the side of gaming so either would work but I think the FX is just a little bit better for gaming and it's a little bit cheaper in the bundle I'm getting it in so I think that is what I am going to go for. While I am kind of low on cash for the Vid card, I decided to get the Radeon HD 6870, thought that would do well enough for him. If he doesn't like it he can always upgrade later

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[clutchc]

The HD 6870 is very capable. It will provide fast frame rates up to 1920x1080 with max/near max settings in most games.

 

[Oshimoto]

Yeah? Cool! Glad I chose well then. Sounds as if he might need to upgrade the processor then instead of the Vid card if he wants better performance, of course he doesn't know much about computers so he would probably just throw it away if he found something better he could buy 😛 what a waste that would be! Glad I'm here to stop him.

 

[ryan8989]

i was also asking about this except i was told the FX bulldozers arn't very good at gaming, i've seen many FX computers but still trying to choose one myself to go with my HD 6870

 

[clutchc]

i was also asking about this except i was told the FX bulldozers arn't very good at gaming, i've seen many FX computers but still trying to choose one myself to go with my HD 6870

That's all relative. Intel, of course, has the fastest to date. But the Piledriver Fx's aren't exactly slouches. Here is where Tom's Hardware ranks them with the rest for gaming: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html