Looking for AMD AM3+ CPU Recommendations

[splendorlex]

Early last year I started upgrading my system. Got a new motherboard, RAM, case, just about everything. One thing I did to save some cash was though I bought a Gigabyte 970A-UD3 Mobo with an AM3+ socket, I went with a lower end AM3 CPU to tide me over, the X3 Rana. (I did unlock the 4th core on it, but it's still a lower end CPU.)

Now I think it's time to get a real CPU for it. My MAX budget is around $200, but I'd like to keep it under $150 if at all possible. Especially if the price/performance difference isn't enough. I prefer value over pure power (hence my usage of AMD CPUs.)

So what do you recommend? Save money with a 6 core CPU? Will that be a significant performance boost? I figure the differences in the cache alone will be significant. Or should I buy an 8 core CPU with lower clock speeds? My PC is an everything PC, but I do like to play games on it as well. My most recent system hog is Skyrim, and I plan to start Xcom soon. My GPU is a Radeon 6950 2GB. Thanks!

 

[BearTrapGazelle]

go for a bulldozer.
I'm from the UK so I'm not 100% on your prices over there but I would think you'd be able to get a 8350 for around that price.

 

[EchoOne]

Early last year I started upgrading my system. Got a new motherboard, RAM, case, just about everything. One thing I did to save some cash was though I bought a Gigabyte 970A-UD3 Mobo with an AM3+ socket, I went with a lower end AM3 CPU to tide me over, the X3 Rana. (I did unlock the 4th core on it, but it's still a lower end CPU.)

Now I think it's time to get a real CPU for it. My MAX budget is around $200, but I'd like to keep it under $150 if at all possible. Especially if the price/performance difference isn't enough. I prefer value over pure power (hence my usage of AMD CPUs.)

So what do you recommend? Save money with a 6 core CPU? Will that be a significant performance boost? I figure the differences in the cache alone will be significant. Or should I buy an 8 core CPU with lower clock speeds? My PC is an everything PC, but I do like to play games on it as well. My most recent system hog is Skyrim, and I plan to start Xcom soon. My GPU is a Radeon 6950 2GB. Thanks!

if i were you get the fx 8320,its the best bang for buck cpu.Easily overclockable and good power.Good for gaming and for any productivity programs.You will see a good difference going from an old am3 to a new piledriver,especially if your am3 is a quad core (phenom or anthlon)

 

[splendorlex]

I was posting this from my phone, and didn't realize I was on the UK site. Thanks so far guys.

 

[splendorlex]

And... maybe I wasn't.

 

[montosaurous]

Piledriver. Only real option unless you want to get a Phenom II and overclock the hell out of it.

 

[splendorlex]

Is that both Vishera and Zambezi?

 

[groundrat]

Phenom II X6 is still the best AM3+ chip, at least accourding to Tom's most recent tests.

 

[EchoOne]

Phenom II X6 is still the best AM3+ chip, at least accourding to Tom's most recent tests.

you do realize that the phenom x6 is only an AM3 chip,and they have already decided the piledriver 8320/8350 are the best ones now.

 

[Ramzzz2936]

fx 8350 or fx 6300 if u want to savesome money but there isnt a big difference btw the price dont go with bulldozer ones piledriver has better perfomance for almost the same prize

 

[montosaurous]

you do realize that the phenom x6 is only an AM3 chip,and they have already decided the piledriver 8320/8350 are the best ones now.

The FX 8350 is the best right now and you can still use AM3 chips is AM3+ sockets.

 

[splendorlex]

I'm leaning towards the 6300 based on recommendations. $40 cheaper than the 8320, which is good, and I don't know that the performance difference is worth the cost difference.

I do notice that the 8120 would only cost me $5 more than the 6300 on Newegg right now. I'm still thinking maybe the 6300 is the better chip though, since it is Piledriver and not Bulldozer. Go with the 6300?

 

[sarinaide]

FX8350/8320 or the FX6300

 

[noob2222]

I'm leaning towards the 6300 based on recommendations. $40 cheaper than the 8320, which is good, and I don't know that the performance difference is worth the cost difference.

I do notice that the 8120 would only cost me $5 more than the 6300 on Newegg right now. I'm still thinking maybe the 6300 is the better chip though, since it is Piledriver and not Bulldozer. Go with the 6300?

If you do any photoshop or video editing, the 8120 could work for you, but only if your overclocking it. Base clock is 3.1 ghz and the 6300 is 3.5. Max clocks with the 8120 would be around 4.4-4.6 ghz, and the 6300 could hit 4.6-5.0.

If its just primarily for games, get the 6300, clock speed is more important than 2 more older cores.

If your anywhere near a micorcenter, the 8320 is $159.

 

[splendorlex]

This is almost making me think I should just go with the 4300, but I think it's only a $10 difference there.

 

[noob2222]

As games use more cores the 6300 will be a better choice, battlefield 3 mp will favor the 6300 by quite a bit.

As games continue to advance, they will start to look like this graph.

 

[splendorlex]

6300 ordered. Thanks everyone, I think this will be a sizable upgrade over my X3 455 Rana with the fourth core unlocked.

 

[satyamdubey]

splendorlex, just a reminder;do update your BIOS for vishera support before you plug out your X3. It will save you a lot of hassel.
good cpu!
best luck
-Satyam

 

[splendorlex]

Yeah, I was trying to see if that was necessary with my board. (Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3) I believe I may have updated the BIOS when I got it anyhow, but I'll check it out. I'll make sure it's all set before I yank the old proc.

 

[sarinaide]

Enjoy your new setup

 

[stantheman123]

6300? Nice choice best bang for buck amd has imo.

 

[splendorlex]

Plopped in the 6300 an hour ago, ran 3dMark11 right away, and saw a HUGE increase in my physics scores. Much much better than before, and just everything so far seems quicker. Now to try out some games.

 

[spazzard]

Early last year I started upgrading my system. Got a new motherboard, RAM, case, just about everything. One thing I did to save some cash was though I bought a Gigabyte 970A-UD3 Mobo with an AM3+ socket, I went with a lower end AM3 CPU to tide me over, the X3 Rana. (I did unlock the 4th core on it, but it's still a lower end CPU.)

Now I think it's time to get a real CPU for it. My MAX budget is around $200, but I'd like to keep it under $150 if at all possible. Especially if the price/performance difference isn't enough. I prefer value over pure power (hence my usage of AMD CPUs.)

So what do you recommend? Save money with a 6 core CPU? Will that be a significant performance boost? I figure the differences in the cache alone will be significant. Or should I buy an 8 core CPU with lower clock speeds? My PC is an everything PC, but I do like to play games on it as well. My most recent system hog is Skyrim, and I plan to start Xcom soon. My GPU is a Radeon 6950 2GB. Thanks!

FX 8350 FOR THR WIN
best amd cpu on the market and its killer for gamign and editing

 

[timil]

if youre going piledriver you better get an 8xxx and no less otherwise you got yourself a triple or dual core

 

[stantheman123]

Plopped in the 6300 an hour ago, ran 3dMark11 right away, and saw a HUGE increase in my physics scores. Much much better than before, and just everything so far seems quicker. Now to try out some games.

Nice choice man. Its a great cpu for the price. especially when overclocked it will fly