Is my CPU good enough for my GPU?

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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Okay, so for my build I'm getting a AMD FX-6300, and I'm thinking about getting a Sapphire Radeon R9 380. This is my first build, so I'm not a complete expert, but do you think my system will reach it's full FPS potential without a better CPU, or do you think I need a better CPU to work better on games, etc.

Like I said, I'm not an expert, so this might sound sort of dumb.
 
Solution


AMD has not released a viable CPU architecture for some number of years. Zen is coming out later this year, so we will finally have newer AMD chips with better instructions per clock (where Intel really beats AMD). You will not need a sound card...

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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The AMD FX-6300 is a tiny but better performance wise. I also have seen multiple videos recommending the AMD FX-6300, so I think I'll stick with that.
 


The I3 is a superior CPU for gaming. The 6300 is also on a dead platform with no upgrade path.
 

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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What do you mean by no upgrade path?
 

CV_Taihou

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Dec 3, 2015
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FX series processors are being discontinued at the end of the year. There's no way to upgrade the CPU short of buying a new motherboard and processor (more than likely RAM as well). You're much better off going with the i3
 

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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Okay thanks for letting me know they're getting discontinued. Do you have a good motherboard that I could use with the i3-6100? for around $90 or less? And also, will I have to get a new motherboard each time I want to upgrade my intel CPU? Like if I want to get an i7 later, would I need another motherboard for that? (Preferably an ATX mobo) Thanks.
 

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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I would want an ATX motherboard, but a micro-ATX will be fine if it's cheaper.
 

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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Thanks. This motherboard looks perfect for my build. This motherboard will work with the i3-6100 right? And should I use Kingston DDR4 ram for this? Anyways, thanks for all the answers, don't know what I would have done without you. :D
 

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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Okay thanks :D Looking over that mobo, that's a great deal for all the things included. 64gb ram max, ddr4, intel cpu's. Wow
 

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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Very interesting. It seems that big, fast computers often use Intel, not AMD. Is that because they're faster, or because AMD doesn't have many fast CPU's??? Oh, just forgot, will I need a sound card with that mobo?
 


AMD has not released a viable CPU architecture for some number of years. Zen is coming out later this year, so we will finally have newer AMD chips with better instructions per clock (where Intel really beats AMD). You will not need a sound card, the only reason to get a sound card is if you do professional audio; motherboards have sound cards built in.

AMD has of course jacked down their prices long since their CPUs have come out, so they are still competitive in the low-end market, but AMD's CPUs primarily benefit in heavily multi-threaded situations (like rendering, for instance) whereas for gaming and other tasks that mainly task a couple cores very hard Intel CPUs thrive. Both have their benefits, don't get me wrong. It's all very based on opinion, but you'll find that most people would recommend getting an Intel chip since it is a modern design with an upgrade path, and you get the benefits of newer motherboards like improved DDR4 memory.
 
Solution

kb33

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Jun 12, 2016
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Makes sense.