[SOLVED] Help with an old AMD APU build (PLZ)

[Kill_roy99]

I have an old PC I built when I didn't know what I was doing. I put a AMD 7850k in it with a GTX960 and at the time I believe 8GB of some ddr3 1333 RAM. I gave up on it a month or so after not understanding why it was underperforming, getting only like 20fps in simple stuff like cs:go on all min settings. later on I put in a 16 GB kit of the same speed 1333 RAM and it didn't change anything, so just because I could I put both kits on my A88X G45 MSI motherboard so now this thing has like 24GB of RAM. But since then I've moved my GTX960 onto my new Ryzen 5 2600 build which runs as id expect getting CS:GO up to an average of 200FPS. so now I'm looking back on this old APU build and thinking the biggest difference between these besides age obviously is the speed of my RAM. My Ryzen build has 16GB of ddr4 2400 while my Kaveri build has 24GB of 1333, so
MY QUESTION IS, does slow RAM cripple old APU's and would it be worth looking for a simple 8GB kit of fast RAM for my old build? even though I have my well preforming Ryzen build I'd like to get my first build running how I thought I could originally, in all of it's anti dedicated GPU glory (That is until I can afford a new card for my new build and I'll move my GTX960 back to its old home). Anyway that's my question, will faster RAM help, any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[winks42]

I recommend more/ faster ram because APUs will use ram as VRAM like GPUs. So yes I’d recommend faster if not more ram

 

[Obakasama]

Hold on a moment. What were your expectations for the A10-7850k build?

The problem with the those older AMD CPUs for the AM3/+ and FM2/+ sockets isn't an issue about how slow DDR3 RAM is compared to DDR4. The main issue was the IPC was not particularly good. There's a reason AMD boasted of 50% gain on IPC for the original Ryzen CPUs. One benchmark to consider: https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2032-amd-a10-7870k-apu-review-benchmarks/Page-2

While technically faster RAM would help an APU, it won't transform the A10-7850k's performance to rival even the Ryzen 3 1200. You've already proven adding more RAM did nothing for performance (the ideal would be just two sticks of RAM in the correct slots).

By all means, rebuild the A10-7850k system as a spare, backup or secondary system to use if you wish; but do so knowing the limitations of what it can do.

 

[christopherjames]

I have an old PC I built when I didn't know what I was doing. I put a AMD 7850k in it with a GTX960 and at the time I believe 8GB of some ddr3 1333 RAM. I gave up on it a month or so after not understanding why it was underperforming, getting only like 20fps in simple stuff like cs:go on all min settings. later on I put in a 16 GB kit of the same speed 1333 RAM and it didn't change anything, so just because I could I put both kits on my A88X G45 MSI motherboard so now this thing has like 24GB of RAM. But since then I've moved my GTX960 onto my new Ryzen 5 2600 build which runs as id expect getting CS:GO up to an average of 200FPS. so now I'm looking back on this old APU build and thinking the biggest difference between these besides age obviously is the speed of my RAM. My Ryzen build has 16GB of ddr4 2400 while my Kaveri build has 24GB of 1333, so
MY QUESTION IS, does slow RAM cripple old APU's and would it be worth looking for a simple 8GB kit of fast RAM for my old build? even though I have my well preforming Ryzen build I'd like to get my first build running how I thought I could originally, in all of it's anti dedicated GPU glory (That is until I can afford a new card for my new build and I'll move my GTX960 back to its old home). Anyway that's my question, will faster RAM help, any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

The ram speed is only really important if you are using the built in Radeon graphics on the apu. If you are thew faster the dual channel ram the better. If you have a discrete gpu the point of having fast ram is basically moot.

 

[Kill_roy99]

Hold on a moment. What were your expectations for the A10-7850k build?

The problem with the those older AMD CPUs for the AM3/+ and FM2/+ sockets isn't an issue about how slow DDR3 RAM is compared to DDR4. The main issue was the IPC was not particularly good. There's a reason AMD boasted of 50% gain on IPC for the original Ryzen CPUs. One benchmark to consider: https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2032-amd-a10-7870k-apu-review-benchmarks/Page-2

While technically faster RAM would help an APU, it won't transform the A10-7850k's performance to rival even the Ryzen 3 1200. You've already proven adding more RAM did nothing for performance (the ideal would be just two sticks of RAM in the correct slots).

By all means, rebuild the A10-7850k system as a spare, backup or secondary system to use if you wish; but do so knowing the limitations of what it can do.

First, thank you for your input. Second, i know the processor is ancient tech compared to the new Ryzen line, and I think i have realistic expectations only aiming for playable frame rates (like what was demonstrated with the benchmark you linked) on easy stuff like CS:GO or Minecraft. The problem is it struggles to even hit a high of 20 in CS:GO on all minimum settings. This low of performance never made sense to me after seeing videos of people getting a steady 40-50 fps in something as demanding as Battlefield 4 with decently high settings, using the exact same APU, no GPU. Even after putting in the GTX960 the system could never run anything more than CS:GO at any playable frame rate so i honestly just let the system sit and went back to console gaming. When putting more ram in the old build didn't fix anything i just looked at the system like it was cursed and had forgotten about it till I dug it out and stole its GPU, PSU, and a couple drives for my new build.
So that's my goal with this build, to get it running stuff at playable frame rates without a GPU. I'm ok if i have to turn the settings all the way down just 30-60fps in CS:GO would be a great start

 

[Kill_roy99]

I have an old PC I built when I didn't know what I was doing. I put a AMD 7850k in it with a GTX960 and at the time I believe 8GB of some ddr3 1333 RAM. I gave up on it a month or so after not understanding why it was underperforming, getting only like 20fps in simple stuff like cs:go on all min settings. later on I put in a 16 GB kit of the same speed 1333 RAM and it didn't change anything, so just because I could I put both kits on my A88X G45 MSI motherboard so now this thing has like 24GB of RAM. But since then I've moved my GTX960 onto my new Ryzen 5 2600 build which runs as id expect getting CS:GO up to an average of 200FPS. so now I'm looking back on this old APU build and thinking the biggest difference between these besides age obviously is the speed of my RAM. My Ryzen build has 16GB of ddr4 2400 while my Kaveri build has 24GB of 1333, so
MY QUESTION IS, does slow RAM cripple old APU's and would it be worth looking for a simple 8GB kit of fast RAM for my old build? even though I have my well preforming Ryzen build I'd like to get my first build running how I thought I could originally, in all of it's anti dedicated GPU glory (That is until I can afford a new card for my new build and I'll move my GTX960 back to its old home). Anyway that's my question, will faster RAM help, any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

The ram speed is only really important if you are using the built in Radeon graphics on the apu. If you are thew faster the dual channel ram the better. If you have a discrete gpu the point of having fast ram is basically moot.

Thank you for your input!
And yah for now I'm only going to be using the integrated graphics, so how fast would i have to go for it to match the processor?

 

[Kill_roy99]

I recommend more/ faster ram because APUs will use ram as VRAM like GPUs. So yes I’d recommend faster if not more ram

Any recommendation on how fast i should go? I overclocked what i thought was 1333 speed RAM up to 1866 as it was actually 1600, after that I've been messing with overclocking the CPU and the IGPU but neither seem to have much of an effect FPS wise. should i just leave the CPU and IGPU at stock speed and push for a higher RAM OC?

 

[Kill_roy99]

A question for everyone on this thread, are used GPUs off ebay trust worthy? because after looking for faster ram i looked into used GPUs and was finding Used GTX780s for the same price (~ $100) as used 8GB kits of 2133-2400 speed RAM. Would a dedicated GPU, disabling the IGPU and overclocking the RAM get the CPU working how I've wanted it?

 

[Obakasama]

Any purchase off ebay is only as trustworthy as the seller selling it. Look at seller feedback to make the judgement.

I'm still not entirely sure what sort of performance from the CPU you're expecting though.

 

[Kill_roy99]

Any purchase off ebay is only as trustworthy as the seller selling it. Look at seller feedback to make the judgement.

I'm still not entirely sure what sort of performance from the CPU you're expecting though.

Like i said in original post I'm only looking to handle light gaming at 1080p CS:GO, Minecraft, maybe something like PUBG on all min settings but just easy stuff with playable frame rates

 

[Obakasama]

I know you mentioned playable framerates. The continued questioning makes it sound like there's a higher expectation than what was stated and what the benchmarks show. My concern is it would still disappoint even with optimising the hardware and software making it a waste of time and effort.

 

[Kill_roy99]

I know you mentioned playable framerates. The continued questioning makes it sound like there's a higher expectation than what was stated and what the benchmarks show. My concern is it would still disappoint even with optimising the hardware and software making it a waste of time and effort.

Nope, all i want is a playable 1080p experience, the only way i can get it to run CS:GO right now is turning it all down to 720p

 

[Obakasama]

I had to drop resolutions for some games with my x4 760k to get close to 60fps, and it isn't too dissimilar to that APU.

But good luck on your efforts.