Fx-8350 with a gtx 1080 should I do it?

Sb1232344

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Right now I have an r9 270x running with the fx-8350 and I was wondering if I should upgrade to a gtx 1080? I understand that my processor will bottleneck the graphics card in some scenarios I just want to know by how much. This is because my main interest is in a highly cpu intensive game Arma 3. I want to get above 30 fps at least, right now with my r9 270x I go from 25 frames to sometimes 10 and its very annoying. I also understand that intel cpu's out run any amd cpu on the market right now for gaming I just want to know if this gtx 1080 can hold me at good frame rate till I upgrade my mobo and cpu to fit intel's specifications.
 
Solution
I've seen several videos on YT showing apparent bottlenecks and many that don't show much of one at all. It's going to depend more on the game and the optimization of it than anything else. Some games are superbly optimized while others, like ARMA, are utterly terrible.

Geekwad

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It is not a optimal pairing, but it will certainly work and be an improvement over what you've got now in many situations. This may give you an idea:

http://wccftech.com/fx-8370-i5-6400-gaming-comparison/

Unfortunately, and as you mentioned, the CPU will hold back the potential of the GPU in many of those cases too....and ARMA being CPU intensive is an exceptional example. This, and ARMA is a HORRIBLY optimized game......especially multiplayer. It's just going to chug on anything:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtGia0JjtfE

Only way to really solve it is to get a new game :)
 
Hi,
How much the FX-8350 bottlenecks is going to vary considerably from game to game (and will vary in the same game).

Roughly speaking, with a GTX1080 expect maybe 75% on average (vs i7-6700K + GTX1080) with swings of 60% to 100%. A game like DOOM will use your CPU very well as it's well threaded (your issue is slow cores, but using more makes up for it).

I would not buy a GTX1080 unless upgrading your core system (CPU, motherboard etc) in the next year. A better way to go would be a GTX1070 and take the difference to buy a CPU, mobo etc.

And having said that, I would recommend waiting for ZEN (though maybe buy the GTX1070 now).

I see a few choices:

1. GTX1070 + Intel i5-6600K or similar system
2. GTX1070 + AMD Zen (2017)
3. RX-490 (or similar AMD) + AMD Zen (both 2017)

AMD's CPU pricing should be pretty competitive, and their new GPU's may be the best choice for upcoming games.

Only problem is the WAIT and probable price gouging on the GPU.
 
With ARMA specifically, and future proofing I would consider getting at least an Intel 4C/8T CPU (i.e. i7-6700K... note the new Kaby Lake i7-7700K or similar is the same performance clock-per-clock it just adds some video decoders AFAIK), possibly a Zen 6C/8T or even 8C/16T depending on your budget.

Maybe Intel if they can compete and you wait until Zen is out.

I know Vulkan and DX12 can be much more efficient, however some game devs will find ways to use that extra processing power so a good 6C/12T or 8C/16T might be justified.

*I'd personally aim for a system that could last well over five years (aside from the GPU) if you can still afford a good GPU like a GTX1070 or similar AMD.
 
I've seen several videos on YT showing apparent bottlenecks and many that don't show much of one at all. It's going to depend more on the game and the optimization of it than anything else. Some games are superbly optimized while others, like ARMA, are utterly terrible.
 
Solution
At the right settings an 8350+270x should push 30fps+ all the time.

What are the rest of your system specs??

On an upgrade front dropping a 1080 in there mainly for arma would be a tremendous waste of money mate.

$600 on a GPU & you'll still be limited by the 8350 massively in that game.

For $500 you can do a full system upgrade to skylake!!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($191.91 @ Jet)
Motherboard: ASRock H170A-X1 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 480 4GB G1 Gaming Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $498.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-08 03:52 EST-0500
 

Sb1232344

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This build has all the parts of my computer now other than the parts I replaced with newer parts I want (Cpu,Gpu, Mobo and Cpu cooler) https://pcpartpicker.com/list/r6KWzM This is above my limit by a little and I really don't want to buy another OS is there any way I could lower these parts in price or have the equivalent of this for cheaper? I really want to keep it in the $750 ball park and if someone has somewhat of an idea i would really appreciate it.

Gpu:Xfx R9 270x
Amd: Fx 8350
Mobo: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQO9L1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the help!


 
At what resolution are you planning on running? I don't recall that ever being mentioned. If it's going to be 1080p or even 1440p, a 1070 would likely be the best solution. If it's going to be 1080p exclusively, you could perhaps even get away with a 1060. But, if you go that route, the performance gain over your 270x is probably not going to be too significant but it would still be an improvement.
 
If that's the case, a 1080 would be overkill of the worst kind and you'd simply be spending money unnecessarily. I, like you, have an 8350. I'm going to buy a 1070 relatively soon and perhaps a G-Sync 1440p monitor to go with it. I'm not all that concerned with any real or imagined bottlenecking by my CPU. Once things move more to DX12, things should be better for us. I just don't see the justification in basically building a new Intel based rig at this point but that's ultimately going to be up to you. Just don't be wasteful and evaluate everything carefully before making your decision.

Maybe once the new CPUs come about, I'll consider building a new rig and make this one a HTPC setup.
 

Sb1232344

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Do you believe I'd get above 30 fps constant with a gtx 1070 or 1080 when playing arma at 1080p with the Fx 8350?

 

HOkay

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Edit: that benchmark below is single player, multiplayer will hurt the CPU much more so the difference between the 8350 & a new Intel chip is likely to be a chunk bigger there.

Surprisingly, the difference between CPUs is relatively small: http://www.techspot.com/review/712-arma-3-benchmarks/page5.html
That said, a GTX 1080 at 1080p is a HUGE waste & won't help because any CPU will bottleneck that. A 1060 or 480 would be the ideal choice, then save your money's for a Zen or Skylake/Kabylake build ASAP :)
 

memphis_212

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I cannot recall if this cpu 8350 or 8320, both the same cpu. Is 8 physical, or 4 physical amd 4 logical.... in either case, you could try staggering cores on, off, on, off, on, off, on, off, stagger then if physical. Then you can overclock to 4.5ghz and possible pump main cores for decent gains in games. This would stunt your performace in multithreaded tasks tho. This is a temp possible solution until you upgrade. I dont think these cpu cores gain too much more in performance with these weaker cores but it would be good at least investigating into.
 

HOkay

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I wouldn't bother personally, people have tested this kind of thing in the past but the gains were minimal & these days you often lose performance from doing it. Of course if you're curious & will enjoy trying it out then go for it!
 

memphis_212

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Right I was just giving the option as a last resort to squeeze some gain from his old cpu, I would usually recommend something overkill like a i76xxx, or i7 5820k + but that would require a whole new build.
 

Speezquick

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Would it be ideal to upgrade to a 1080 with an fx 8350 and upgrading the cpu to an i5-7600k later down the line?

 

HOkay

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If you wanna play Arma primarily then change your CPU/mobo/RAM before your GPU, you'll see a bigger difference from that. If you're playing other stuff a lot then slapping a 1080 in will give you a nice boost in anything GPU limited, which will be most singleplayer games.
 

jacker00

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jacker00

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I have a FX 9370 that I run at stock 4.4ghz with a GTX 980 on a Asus sabertooth rev 3 and I stay at a constant 58 to 60 FPS. IMO you getting a 1080 would be justified for you if you just OC your CPU a lil bit. as for the rest of you guys falling over trying fall over to say AMD FX is worthless for games get real I'm at 1440 P with that frame rate to but you guys seem to thank this dude wont get over 30 fps with a 1080 rly intel fanboy sounding stuff there