Does AMD Radeon GPU Mean AMD CPU?

[stosterud]

Hello,

If I get a motherboard with PCI-E 3.0, then I'll probably want to buy a graphics card to go with it, which proably means going with AMD.

If I buy a high-end AMD GPU, is there any benefit to buying an AMD CPU to go with it?

I had been leaning toward the i7-3930k with an nVidia card, but now I'm not so sure about the graphics card.

Thank you,
~Steve

 

[photonboy]

to summarize:
wait for the GTX6xx series benchmarks before deciding. The current card to beat for value is the HD7950 OC from Sapphire tech IMO.

And make sure your PSU supplies enough AMPS for the +12V rail. The above HD7950 can easily use 60AMPS if its overclocked (and it has been unofficially by 45% over a stock HD7950).

 

[FinneousPJ]

60 amps lol? Even 7950 crossfire doesn't use anywhere near that.

 

[photonboy]

Agreed whom says that 7950 uses 60amps buhahaha

OKAY. I'm pretty sure that I'm incorrect here after more research.

Maybe the source accidentally quoted a Crossfire value.

I'm going to contact Sapphire Tech and see if they can send me the actual requirement for their HD7950 OC both at their native overclock and overclocked by 45% above a stock card (which has been done).

It would be NICE if you and others would refrain from being rude. It degrades us all. How about "I believe you are misinformed..." and quote the PROPER values? Does that work for you?

 

[FinneousPJ]

How about you check your values before posting and stop being offended by people pointing out you were wrong. Does that work for you? :lol:

 

[photonboy]

Hello,

If I get a motherboard with PCI-E 3.0, then I'll probably want to buy a graphics card to go with it, which proably means going with AMD.

If I buy a high-end AMD GPU, is there any benefit to buying an AMD CPU to go with it?

I had been leaning toward the i7-3930k with an nVidia card, but now I'm not so sure about the graphics card.

Thank you,
~Steve

To summarize:
Your choice of parts is probably about the best value. Building a gaming system is about BALANCE. There's no point in spending $100 on a CPU and $500 on a graphics card.

The core components are:
- Motherboard
- CPU
- Graphics Card

Making further recommendations depends on the games you wish to play and how much you are willing to spend. For example, a GTX560Ti is still a really good graphics card for roughly $200 on sale. You can get a half decent motherboard for $150, and an Intel i5-2500K for about $200.
That's $550.

On the other hand you could spend a lot more such as $350 for an Intel i7-2600K, $200 for an Asus 1155 Sandy Bridge with PCIe v3 support and $490 for a Sapphire Tech HD7950 OC.

There's also the option of waiting and buying both an Ivy Bridge motherboard and the new 22nm CPU for it.

*BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE VALUE FOR YOUR BUDGET.

 

[stosterud]

Best answer selected by stosterud.