how much processing power is too much?

[p1que]

I was wondering... for gaming, light video editing/rendering, and word processing; should i get the amd fx-6300 or 8320? is the 6300 enough or is the performance increase so much worth 40 bucks?

 

[NightAntilli]

The FX-6300 should be enough. They are basically the same CPU, except the 8320 has two additional cores, which will slightly help if running a lot of things simultaneously. In practice I doubt you'll notice a difference.

 

[geofelt]

Good budget gaming is gated more by the graphics card than the cpu.
Few games can use more than 2-3 cores, so the value of the added cores of the 6300 or 8320 is minimal for gaming.
If rendering is the primary usage, then added cores are good.

For most, a ssd is the best all around performance upgrade.

If you already have a suitable motherboard, you would be just as happy with a budget FX-4130 or an intel I3

 

[badjmod]

I personally believe it is worth the extra $dollars. Games are now using more than 2-3 cores because the consoles use more. Second getting a better cpu gives you less to worry about in the future. The 8320 is 41% fast in multi-threaded performance, which would benefit you for your video editing. It is only 12% fast in single threaded performance but the fx-series kind of already struggles in that areas so anything is better. I don't know how extensive of gaming you will be doing but as stated before, gpu will make the biggest difference in most games, but mmo's, rpgs, and dense populated games will affect your cpu. Also the fx-4130 isn't good for real gaming.

Anyways, I'd say spend for the 8320

Edit: Also assuming you are U.S and have access to Newegg, the 8320 is 30 bucks more unles you were looking at the 8320E.

 

[NightAntilli]

Avoid the 8320E. Don't be fooled by its name. It's much worse than the standard 8320 in terms of performance. I bet it's around the same as the FX-6300, if not worse.

 

[geofelt]

What is your budget?
Is this a best bang for the money as a one time build,
or do you want to buy what could be upgraded easily in the future.

 

[badjmod]

Piggybacking geofelt are you first time building or simply upgrading the cpu?

 

[p1que]

first time and want a good computer to last me a few years (or more hopefully 😀)

 

[geofelt]

first time and want a good computer to last me a few years (or more hopefully 😀)

What is your budget?

Do you anticipate buying a 4k monitor for gaming in the future, or possibly doing triple monitor gaming?
Either requires serious graphics capability.

 

[p1que]

my budget is around 1500-1800 ish. the moniter i want is : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014377&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= which i am getting two.

 

[badjmod]

You can probably do fine with a gtx 970 or gtx 980 depending on what you want to pay and if you can even find them in stock. Are you set on having AMD processor or are you open to whatever?