Tips and suggestions about APU's

[Andy0432]

Hi! So I'm planning to build a low-budget gaming computer between $400~$500 so I'm planning to use an APU. So can someone please tell me the pros and cons of a APU, Some tips and suggestions about the build and tell me what motherboard I would need to accommodate an APU Thx!!

 

[i7Baby]

They aren't very powerful. AMDs is better than Intels. If you decide later you also need a graphics card then they are redundant.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

I'd generally go for an Athlon x4 and a dedicated GPU instead,

 

[Andy0432]

They aren't very powerful. AMDs is better than Intels. If you decide later you also need a graphics card then they are redundant.

Why are they redundant and how? Thx!

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Because there's no point having both integrated graphics and a dedicated card. If it's a separate card and you upgrade, you can pull it out and sell it or use it in another build. Can't do that with integrated graphics.

 

[Andy0432]

Why can't you sell it or use it in another build? Motherboard?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Because it's stuck in the CPU. If you're still using the CPU there, the graphics is tied to it, even if you're using another GPU.

 

[gamerk316]

Essentially, an APU is the paring of a mid-range GPU and a low-end CPU. If you decide after the fact you want a better GPU, you still have a very weak CPU driving it, and likely have to replace both components, costing you more money then if you just brought a stronger CPU to start.

 

[sapperastro]

I would change that depending on the APU in question (If talking about an A10 6800k or 7850k) to mid level CPU and entry level GPU. The rest I agree on though.

From PC Powerplay tests (an Australian gaming magazine), in Battlefield 4, the A10 7850k (factory clock) paired with an R9 290x put out 60fps on average with all bells and whistles turned on, while an I7 4770k/R9 290x (factory clock) put out around 80fps on average. So I wouldn't call the 7850k a 'weak' cpu, just not a strong cpu like the i7. Since the 6800k performs very similarly to the 7850k CPU wise, you can switch them around in that department.

That being said, if you are not going to make at least a year or more use from the integrated graphics, you should ask yourself whether it isn't a better idea to buy either an AMD FX cpu, or an intel i series cpu and pair it with an HD 7770 or equivalent strong performing budget card, which can be upgraded by itself as required later on.

Don't worry though, if you desperately want the APU system, it will still do the trick, it just won't be the most cost effective vs power method to play games, unless you only stick to older games/lower graphical fidelity modern games using the integrated gpu.

 

[logainofhades]

Here are two systems to consider.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3420 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BW ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $512.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-13 09:54 EDT-0400)


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 760K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.74 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.15 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-VG3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BW ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $518.27
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-13 09:55 EDT-0400)

 

[Andy0432]

THX everyone for contributing!!!!!! THX