I think I know why my custom build isn't performing as well as I had hoped.

[digitaldefector]

I purchased a ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 motherboard. I also purchased a AMD FD4130FRGUBOX FX-4130 Processor - Quad Core, 8MB L3 Cache, 4MB L2 Cache, 3.8GHz (3.9GHz Max Turbo), Socket AM3+, 125W, Fan, Unlocked, Retail.

Now I've made a few posts, asking for advice. I now think I know where I went wrong. The CPU I bought is a 125W, where as my mobo only supports 95W. Now I did have a problem on the first boot. "This processor is not supported". I flashed the bios and I thought everything was fine. Then I came here asking lots of questions about my build and where I went wrong.

1. Do you think this is why I'm having a lot of performance related issues?

2. Am I really going to see a 50% boost in performance if I use the supported AMD FX-6300? I ask this because it's only twenty or so more dollars than then the FX-4130.

 

[Gam3r01]

Any FX x1xx series, like your 4130 are horrible. The architecture is extremely weak, and inefficient. You WILL see an upgrade to a 6300, but that motherboard wont support it very well. You need something like a 990 chipset to support them fully. That Wattage rating is important.

 

[CTurbo]

Yeah honestly a FX4130 + 780 series motherboard is a pretty poor combo. What are the rest of your parts?

 

[digitaldefector]

Yeah honestly a FX4130 + 780 series motherboard is a pretty poor combo. What are the rest of your parts?

Crucial Ballistix BLT4G3D1608DT1TX0 4GB Memory Module - DDR3, 1600MHz, PC3-12800, DIMM, 240pin

Tp-Link TL-WN722N n Wireless Wi-Fi Network Adapter - 150 Mbps - USB

Used One terabyte hard drive

Creative Live! Cam Chat HD Webcam

RAIDMAX Tornado ATX-238WU Black/Blue SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I'm going to keep this as a htpc or maybe I will sell it. I don't like selling parts because I never get what I paid for them. What I learned is that what I had intended to use the build for, is better suited with an Intel system because of the faster single core compared to AMD.

Pretty upset at myself right now for wasting all that money on this build.

 

[CTurbo]

What about psu and gpu?

 

[digitaldefector]

What about psu and gpu?

Cheap used PSU and I'm using the onboard gpu

 

[digitaldefector]

What about psu and gpu?

Cheap used PSU and I'm using the onboard gpu

 

[CTurbo]

What exactly is wrong with it's performance? What are the main uses?

 

[digitaldefector]

What exactly is wrong with it's performance? What are the main uses?

I expected that when I start an app that it would appear instantaneously. Since I use Linux I tried a distro with less bloat, Manjaro Gnome 3. It's all right but still not as fast as I had hoped for.

This is what I'm looking at right now... Do you think it would run faster?

Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor

 

[CTurbo]

Well an ssd would improve things on that end tremendously.

Yes that i3 would be a pretty big improvement, but there's no need to get a Z97 motherboard. A B85, H87, or H97 would work just fine.