Recommended CPU For Minecraft W/Shaders

SimplyCurious

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Jun 16, 2014
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Another one of the Minecraft W/Shaders question :) . I need a suggestion for good CPUs to run Minecraft with shaders on max render distance, lighting, and shading. My budget is around 100 - 220 USD. I'm kinda looking to stay on the 100s side, but if that's impossible, go to the 200s. Thanks :)
 
Solution
Are you planning to install a dedicated/discrete graphics card/GPU? Also do you already have a motherboard? If no to both of those answers, then you won't get get much performance out of Intel HD graphics compared to AMD's offering. Personally I would also purchase a graphics card, however if you're on a budget then you may benefit from AMD's APU offering; which is basically integrated graphics within the same chip as the processor.

To be honest, I wouldn't go down AMD's route since upgrade wise you're limited. However if you're not going to purchase a dedicated GPU, then AMD's integrated graphics will provide more performance than Intel HD (Intel's integrated graphics.)

If you do go down AMD, you'll need a FM2+ motherboard with the...
Are you planning to install a dedicated/discrete graphics card/GPU? Also do you already have a motherboard? If no to both of those answers, then you won't get get much performance out of Intel HD graphics compared to AMD's offering. Personally I would also purchase a graphics card, however if you're on a budget then you may benefit from AMD's APU offering; which is basically integrated graphics within the same chip as the processor.

To be honest, I wouldn't go down AMD's route since upgrade wise you're limited. However if you're not going to purchase a dedicated GPU, then AMD's integrated graphics will provide more performance than Intel HD (Intel's integrated graphics.)

If you do go down AMD, you'll need a FM2+ motherboard with the following APU (CPU + integrated GPU):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.96 @ OutletPC)
Total: $169.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-17 20:59 EDT-0400

According to Tom's Hardware, it can run GRID 2 at medium graphic quality whilst on full HD (1920 x 1080 px) at an average of 48.86 frames per second (and 40.91 at minimum.) That's quite astonishing IMO, so it should be fine with Minecraft, I'm not too familiar with Gary's Mod however, apologies but it should work just as well.

Again I would only go with AMD if you don't plan on purchasing a GPU.

All the best. :)
 
Solution


This wouldn't do bad:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.97 @ Amazon)
Total: $109.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 15:57 EDT-0400

I have the A10-5800K, and playing Minecraft, I can turn everything up all the way, besides render distance (still normal-far, just not above like 10 chunks) and I get playable FPS.

No need for a discrete graphics card. I can also game in other games like GRID 2 at 1080p with 40 FPS on low settings. It is a pretty phenomenal deal for $110, and would serve you well on a tight budget.

I wouldn't recommend it, but for the performance you get for $110, Intel simply cannot compete.
 


I'll be playing other games like Garry's Mod, TF2, and maybe other steam games, I also may record.
 


Also, Ill be playing minecraft with very GPU taxing shaders
 
Like Logain has stated you can easily go with a 4670K, and a Z97 Extreme4 ASRock board. Seeing as the 4670K (Haswell) and the 4690K (Haswell-E) are only six dollars in difference, I went ahead and bumped in the 4690K. That said either will work with a Z97 board.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($128.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $368.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 16:12 EDT-0400
 


Okay. Haha well forget my APU idea then, that'd be terrible.

This is a great deal for the money:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($76.66 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $486.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-18 16:18 EDT-0400

I think you get more for your money by getting a $210 280 than getting a $310 GTX 770. There is only like a 20% difference between the two. The processor will have no troubles, and though i'd recommend getting a Xeon 1230v3 instead, that's another $50 you probably don't want to spend.
 


Going with a 4670k combo at Microcenter would be roughly $40 cheaper.