Should i push for the 8 core or go for the 6 core processor?

[Gummyitalian]

Currently doing a build with an amd processor and 960. 6 core or 8 core, wut do?

 

[Grimwinder]

Depends on the primary purpose of the machine. If you are using it for gaming, then the 6 core is fine. If you're doing heavy multitasking for things like video editing and such, then the 8 would likely be better.

 

[maddogfargo]

FX 6350 with a liquid cooler can be a very impressive overclocker on a budget.

Got mine to 4.950GHz stable on a GA-970A-UD3P and H110 cooler. The H110 is not loud, just requires 2x140mm fan mounts.

* Points at sig *

As Grimm mentioned above, I only use the 6 core PC for gaming and multimedia. The 8 core system is where I do my streaming/encoding for video.

 

[andy_Man]

If your spending $240 or more, you should be going intel.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $239.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 11:51 EDT-0400

 

[cemerian]

agreed with the above, if the pc will be for gaming i5 will give you best performance, fx chips are ok'ish, but depending on games they can be very lacking, they are meant for workstation loads where the 8 cores are utilized, for gaming i3's are better, 6 core is like the amd alternative to i3's, unless you will be doing heavy rendering/encoding intel machine will be a lot faster

 

[filippi]

In a nutshell:

For gaming the AMD 6 cores FX-6300 works like a 3 core cpu.
For gaming the INTEL stronger 2 cores w/ HT i3-4150 usually works like a 3-4 core cpu.

That is why (usually) you will see i3-4150 > stock FX6300 in games.
FX-6300 Overclock will balance things though.

But right now you want 4 cores for a new gaming build.
This is why you should get a FX-8320/FX-8320e if you want AMD.

 

[andy_Man]

I will just point you to a current thread where they are not happy with their FX-6300. Most are suggesting i5 as an upgrade.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2625209/upgrade.html#xtor=EPR-8809

 

[cemerian]

In a nutshell:

For gaming the AMD 6 cores FX-6300 works like a 3 core cpu.
For gaming the INTEL stronger 2 cores w/ HT i3-4150 usually works like a 3-4 core cpu.

That is why (usually) you will see i3-4150 > stock FX6300 in games.
FX-6300 Overclock will balance things though.

But right now you want 4 cores for a new gaming build.
This is why you should get a FX-8320/FX-8320e if you want AMD.

What you are suggesting is not accurate, probably one of the most inaccurate statements i have seen. First of fx 6xxx works like a six core chip always, fx 8xxx/9xxx work like 8 core chips always, the problem with those chips is the architecture, basically two cores share some resources while have others for each core specifically, neither the fx 6xxx series or fx 8xxx series will work as 3 or 4 core cpu's for gaming or anything(unless you go into bios and disable cores), those cores cannot combine, they will run like they always have weak 6 cores or weak 8 cores. Gaming is a area where the first thread is always the heaviest, it will remain so even with dx12, the main thread will have most load, that is the reason why i3 is about the same speed as fx 6xxx/8xxx/9xxx series chips, it has almost twice as strong per core performance. In the end it will depend if hes only gaming or doing something more. Also what type of games he wants to play if it's mmo's/rts's/online fps forget amd and go intel, there is no other option, if it's more for mainstream then sure amd will suffice

 

[Grimwinder]

Just to point out to those suggesting an Intel chip over an AMD- if you read his signature, you'll see he already has an i7-4770k rig, I therefore assume he just wants to build an AMD rig, as stated, for whatever reason.

 

[filippi]

In a nutshell:

For gaming the AMD 6 cores FX-6300 works like a 3 core cpu.
For gaming the INTEL stronger 2 cores w/ HT i3-4150 usually works like a 3-4 core cpu.

That is why (usually) you will see i3-4150 > stock FX6300 in games.
FX-6300 Overclock will balance things though.

But right now you want 4 cores for a new gaming build.
This is why you should get a FX-8320/FX-8320e if you want AMD.

What you are suggesting is not accurate, probably one of the most inaccurate statements i have seen. First of fx 6xxx works like a six core chip always, fx 8xxx/9xxx work like 8 core chips always, the problem with those chips is the architecture, basically two cores share some resources while have others for each core specifically, neither the fx 6xxx series or fx 8xxx series will work as 3 or 4 core cpu's for gaming or anything(unless you go into bios and disable cores), those cores cannot combine, they will run like they always have weak 6 cores or weak 8 cores. Gaming is a area where the first thread is always the heaviest, it will remain so even with dx12, the main thread will have most load, that is the reason why i3 is about the same speed as fx 6xxx/8xxx/9xxx series chips, it has almost twice as strong per core performance. In the end it will depend if hes only gaming or doing something more. Also what type of games he wants to play if it's mmo's/rts's/online fps forget amd and go intel, there is no other option, if it's more for mainstream then sure amd will suffice

The FX-8350 has indeed 8 cores. But, as you said, two cores share some resources.

That is why in a gaming build I think it is more important to say that the FX-8350 has 4 modules: Because the FX-8350 has only 4 FPU (1 per module of two cores).

Since games are mostly floating point calculations, this really matters.

Yes, each FPU has two 128bit FMAC units, but in cases like heavy AVX instructions, both FMAC units will combine and do a 256 instruction.

That is why one module will roughly be equals one core while gaming.

 

[andy_Man]

Sure the FX-8350 overclocked can get close to an i5-4460 performance. We know it does not beat it. Overclocking an FX-8350 needs an after market cooler.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/11/06/amd-fx-8350-review/6
The stock i5-3750k beats the overclocked fx 8350 This is about where the i5-4460 would land, it's a newer architecture that runs 3.2ghz .

So going AMD, I am not even sure if you can get to 4.8ghz with this cooler. You might need to spend even more on cooling.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($158.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $233.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 14:36 EDT-0400

If going Intel, this also has a z97 motherboard which lets you drop in a K processor later. (because you don't save much if any by going h97)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $239.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 11:51 EDT-0400

I did this comparison because you want a quad core for gaming. i3's with HT and the 6300 do not perform like true quad cores. So as you can see it's much more of a sure thing to go intel, and it leaves an upgrade path.

 

[filippi]

Sure the FX-8350 overclocked can get close to an i5-4460 performance. We know it does not beat it. Overclocking an FX-8350 needs an after market cooler.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/11/06/amd-fx-8350-review/6
The stock i5-3750k beats the overclocked fx 8350 This is about where the i5-4460 would land, it's a newer architecture that runs 3.2ghz .

So going AMD, I am not even sure if you can get to 4.8ghz with this cooler. You might need to spend even more on cooling.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($158.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $233.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 14:36 EDT-0400

If going Intel, this also has a z97 motherboard which lets you drop in a K processor later. (because you don't save much if any by going h97)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $239.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 11:51 EDT-0400

I did this comparison because you want a quad core for gaming. i3's with HT and the 6300 do not perform like true quad cores. So as you can see it's much more of a sure thing to go intel, and it leaves an upgrade path.

Besides, those guys @ bit-tech.net reached those very good numbers w/ FX-8350 mainly because they used a very expensive and high quality Asus Crosshair V Formula motherboard which is based on the AMD 990FX chipset.

So yes FX8320/FX-8350 is a nice chip for enthusiasts overclockers like OP i think.
Anyone else should stick w/ a Haswell Refresh i5-4460 for a gaming build.

 

[cemerian]

In a nutshell:

For gaming the AMD 6 cores FX-6300 works like a 3 core cpu.
For gaming the INTEL stronger 2 cores w/ HT i3-4150 usually works like a 3-4 core cpu.

That is why (usually) you will see i3-4150 > stock FX6300 in games.
FX-6300 Overclock will balance things though.

But right now you want 4 cores for a new gaming build.
This is why you should get a FX-8320/FX-8320e if you want AMD.

What you are suggesting is not accurate, probably one of the most inaccurate statements i have seen. First of fx 6xxx works like a six core chip always, fx 8xxx/9xxx work like 8 core chips always, the problem with those chips is the architecture, basically two cores share some resources while have others for each core specifically, neither the fx 6xxx series or fx 8xxx series will work as 3 or 4 core cpu's for gaming or anything(unless you go into bios and disable cores), those cores cannot combine, they will run like they always have weak 6 cores or weak 8 cores. Gaming is a area where the first thread is always the heaviest, it will remain so even with dx12, the main thread will have most load, that is the reason why i3 is about the same speed as fx 6xxx/8xxx/9xxx series chips, it has almost twice as strong per core performance. In the end it will depend if hes only gaming or doing something more. Also what type of games he wants to play if it's mmo's/rts's/online fps forget amd and go intel, there is no other option, if it's more for mainstream then sure amd will suffice

The FX-8350 has indeed 8 cores. But, as you said, two cores share some resources.

That is why in a gaming build I think it is more important to say that the FX-8350 has 4 modules: Because the FX-8350 has only 4 FPU (1 per module of two cores).

Since games are mostly floating point calculations, this really matters.

Yes, each FPU has two 128bit FMAC units, but in cases like heavy AVX instructions, both FMAC units will combine and do a 256 instruction.

That is why one module will roughly be equals one core while gaming.

I understand your reasoning and in theory you are right, but the problem is in practice things are way worse

 

[andy_Man]

Sure the FX-8350 overclocked can get close to an i5-4460 performance. We know it does not beat it. Overclocking an FX-8350 needs an after market cooler.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/11/06/amd-fx-8350-review/6
The stock i5-3750k beats the overclocked fx 8350 This is about where the i5-4460 would land, it's a newer architecture that runs 3.2ghz .

So going AMD, I am not even sure if you can get to 4.8ghz with this cooler. You might need to spend even more on cooling.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($158.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $233.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 14:36 EDT-0400

If going Intel, this also has a z97 motherboard which lets you drop in a K processor later. (because you don't save much if any by going h97)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $239.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 11:51 EDT-0400

I did this comparison because you want a quad core for gaming. i3's with HT and the 6300 do not perform like true quad cores. So as you can see it's much more of a sure thing to go intel, and it leaves an upgrade path.

Besides, those guys @ bit-tech.net reached those very good numbers w/ FX-8350 mainly because they used a very expensive and high quality Asus Crosshair V Formula motherboard which is based on the AMD 990FX chipset.

So yes FX8320/FX-8350 is a nice chip for enthusiasts overclockers like OP i think.
Anyone else should stick w/ a Haswell Refresh i5-4460 for a gaming build.

They also used 100$ closed loop coolers, not the cm hyper 212.

 

[filippi]

In a nutshell:

For gaming the AMD 6 cores FX-6300 works like a 3 core cpu.
For gaming the INTEL stronger 2 cores w/ HT i3-4150 usually works like a 3-4 core cpu.

That is why (usually) you will see i3-4150 > stock FX6300 in games.
FX-6300 Overclock will balance things though.

But right now you want 4 cores for a new gaming build.
This is why you should get a FX-8320/FX-8320e if you want AMD.

What you are suggesting is not accurate, probably one of the most inaccurate statements i have seen. First of fx 6xxx works like a six core chip always, fx 8xxx/9xxx work like 8 core chips always, the problem with those chips is the architecture, basically two cores share some resources while have others for each core specifically, neither the fx 6xxx series or fx 8xxx series will work as 3 or 4 core cpu's for gaming or anything(unless you go into bios and disable cores), those cores cannot combine, they will run like they always have weak 6 cores or weak 8 cores. Gaming is a area where the first thread is always the heaviest, it will remain so even with dx12, the main thread will have most load, that is the reason why i3 is about the same speed as fx 6xxx/8xxx/9xxx series chips, it has almost twice as strong per core performance. In the end it will depend if hes only gaming or doing something more. Also what type of games he wants to play if it's mmo's/rts's/online fps forget amd and go intel, there is no other option, if it's more for mainstream then sure amd will suffice

The FX-8350 has indeed 8 cores. But, as you said, two cores share some resources.

That is why in a gaming build I think it is more important to say that the FX-8350 has 4 modules: Because the FX-8350 has only 4 FPU (1 per module of two cores).

Since games are mostly floating point calculations, this really matters.

Yes, each FPU has two 128bit FMAC units, but in cases like heavy AVX instructions, both FMAC units will combine and do a 256 instruction.

That is why one module will roughly be equals one core while gaming.

I understand your reasoning and in theory you are right, but the problem is in practice things are way worse

You are absolutely right. Even in 2014/2015 games the main thread will indeed have most load. I dont think this will change any time soon. This is another Haswell advantage.

Hardcore overclocking FX8320 will balance things for OP. And I still think its worth to build such gaming build w/ high quality parts if OP highly enjoy doing so.

There are some nice AMD gaming builds here @ tomshardware forum. It is hard, expensive and OP will need a little luck to find the right cpu though.

 

[cemerian]

yes, but simply put I had such a build(fx 8350@5,2ghz) and my sig build was a huge upgrade for gaming, every single game runs better

 

[filippi]

yes, but simply put I had such a build(fx 8350@5,2ghz) and my sig build was a huge upgrade for gaming, every single game runs better

Nuff said

Now can i ask you? (for gaming and for rendering):

intel i7 860@4.0 > FX-8350@5,2ghz OR intel i7 860@4.0 >>> FX-8350@5,2ghz ?

This would be a valuable information for me.

 

[cemerian]

i7 860@4,0ghz > Fx 8350@5,2ghz, for mmo's it would be more like i7 860@4.0ghz>>>>>>Fx8350@5.2ghz,
For rendering fx 8350@5,2ghz was faster than i7 860@4.0ghz

 

[filippi]

i7 860@4,0ghz > Fx 8350@5,2ghz, for mmo's it would be more like i7 860@4.0ghz>>>>>>Fx8350@5.2ghz,
For rendering fx 8350@5,2ghz was faster than i7 860@4.0ghz

Thank you very much Sir.

 

[cemerian]

i7 860@4,0ghz > Fx 8350@5,2ghz, for mmo's it would be more like i7 860@4.0ghz>>>>>>Fx8350@5.2ghz,
For rendering fx 8350@5,2ghz was faster than i7 860@4.0ghz

Thank you very much Sir.

no problem