Upgrade build comparison

[Skpstr]

Still trying to pin down what I will do for an upgrade. My current system is basically an Athlon 64 X2 6000+ and an 8600GT GPU, plus 4 Mb DDRAM, which is giving me a gaming WEI of 6.1.

I have two choices in mind.

#1: $395

APU: AMD A-Series A10-6800K Accelerated Processor and ASUS F2A55-M LE Motherboard Bundle
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8511653&CatId=7709

RAM: PNY XLR8 8GB Desktop Memory Module - DDR3, 1600 MHz, PC3-12800, CL 9, 1.5V - MD8192SD3-1600-X9
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8045512&Sku=P56-4510

#2: $436

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 750K - 3.4 GHz - 4 cores - 4 threads - 4 MB cache - Socket FM2 - Box
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8140617&CatId=1946

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 Ti GV-N65TOC-1GI Video Card - 1GB GDDR5, PCI-Express 3.0(x16), 2x Dual-Link DVI-I, 1x D-Sub(VGA), 1x HDMI, DirectX 11, Fan, Heatsink, http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5190095&CatId=7387

Mobo: Asus F2A55-M/CSM Socket FM2 Motherboard - MicroATX, Socket FM2, AMD A55 FCH, DDR3 2400(O.C.) MHz, RAID, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCIe 2.0, Quad-GPU CrossFireX Ready
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4969056&Sku=A455-8503

RAM: Same as #1.

PSU for either (already have): Ultra LSP Series V2 450-Watt Power Supply - ATX,4x SATA, PCI-E, 20/24-PIN,Thermal Controlled, 135mm Fan, Single +12V Rail, Short Circuit, Over-Voltage and Thermal Protection, 3-Year Warranty
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7850411&CatId=1078

NOTE: the listed prices are in CDN dollars, and include all tax and shipping.

Which one would give me the greater performance boost over what I have now? (keep in mind that with #1, I can get a separate GPU (and likely PSU) at a later time.

 

[legokill101]

second for sure

 

[Supahos]

Assuming you have gaming in mind the second one for sure. It will be much better @ gaming due to the aftermarket GPU.

 

[lonewolf7]

I can only say don't go with a APU (AMD A-Series A10-6800K Accelerated Processor ), its a CPU+GPU, and you wont get good results in gaming.

That other CPU is a weak one too, it might bottleneck any decent GPU. So get atleast a FX 6300 or FX 6350.

 

[legokill101]

no its esstentally a a10-5800k without graphics so it should be fine this is not a vintage athalon

 

[Supahos]

I can only say don't go with a APU (AMD A-Series A10-6800K Accelerated Processor ), its a CPU+GPU, and you wont get good results in gaming.

That other CPU is a weak one too, it might bottleneck any decent GPU. So get atleast a FX 6300 or FX 6350.

Its enough to play most if not all games, is much cheaper than your 6300 suggestion, and its not like a 650 TI is a beast that needs a 4770k to push it.

 

[Skpstr]

Yes, I was originally looking at a 6300, but forgot I would need new Ram, and option #2 is still stretching the budget.

I'm curious though, is the CPU portion of the APU better than the 750K? And would the integrated video perform better than my 8600GT? And will my PSU support the 650 Ti?

I actually kind of thought the APU would be the way to go, since it would (I think) give me a decent performance increase now, with another increase after later adding a seperate GPU (possibly a better one than the 650 Ti, plus a bigger PSU)

Also, if it matters, the case size is no issue. My PC started life as a Duron 800, and I had it built with the biggest available case (although I'll probably cut a hole in the top for the PSU fan so I can put the side back on )

 

[Supahos]

That 750k is nearly identical to the APU you picked in processing power. The 650 TI is many times better than the integrated graphics in the APU... the Apu vs the 8600 GT is pretty close, not enough of a difference to consider it really an upgrade either direction. I figured that was the top end of your budget since the other one was a bit cheaper. You should enjoy your rig after this upgrade. No need for an APU if you're going to buy a GPU.

 

[lonewolf7]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($139.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $411.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 10:37 EST-0500)

 

[Supahos]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($121.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $461.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 10:40 EST-0500)


Its from Canada btw so its actually more than you stated.

 

[Supahos]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($121.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($87.33 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $435.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 10:43 EST-0500)


gets you closer to the same by a tiny bit.

 

[Skpstr]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($121.75 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $461.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 10:40 EST-0500)


Its from Canada btw so its actually more than you stated.

not sure what you mean by that last bit. Those were my (rounded) final prices from my TigerDirect.ca cart, incl. shipping and taxes.

But definitely thank you for the input, my decision is made I won't know just how far I can stretch my budget until after Xmas, but knowing the APU isn't much better than my 8600GT allows me flexibility. If I'm a little short, I can get the 6300 and mobo, re-use the 8600GT, and be at the same point I would be with the APU (waiting a few months to get a good GPU, but with better performance in the meantime)

I'm glad I found this forum. I used to go to a place where the guy didn't charge me labour (I did stuff myself under supervision) and he knew what parts were good for my budget. Sadly, he moved away, so now I'm on my own.

Installing the new mobo and CPU will be my first time though, but I'm sure I can find good info here

 

[Supahos]

His build was the final price but it was in USD, I switched his to Canadian dollars and it was 461.52. My second post is basically the same build but I saved a few bucks without hampering performance much at all. it came out at 435.05 for everything you have listed in your build (actually about a buck cheaper)

 

[Skpstr]

Ah ok, I misunderstood. Just out of curiosity, with a $400 absolute max, could I do a lot better if I just went CPU/mobo/RAM, and replaced the 8600GT at a later date?

 

[Skpstr]

And, just curious again Supahos, with the build you suggested, what kind of performance would I get on BF4? (not that I intend on getting that game, but it seems to be the highest standard)

 

[Supahos]

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2kBtu

better processor, better board, good memory still, CPU cooler, all set up to OC if you needed to later. However that 8600 GT will still feel like a dog to you.

 

[Supahos]

And, just curious again Supahos, with the build you suggested, what kind of performance would I get on BF4? (not that I intend on getting that game, but it seems to be the highest standard)

It would be very playable at medium settings the GPU would still be the weakest link in that one, the build I just sent you pretty much wont play the game until you buy a GPU, but once you get one you'll be ready to rock and roll on any game.

 

[Skpstr]

Also, will my PSU handle a GTX 650 Ti? I'm thinking if not, I'll just blow my budget on the no-GPU option.

Thanx for all the answers. Sorry to be a pest, but I'm a noob at this and don't want to go wrong, this'll have to last me for 5 or so years like the current one.(which I think wasn't bad 6 years ago )

 

[Supahos]

450w is plenty for a 650 TI... they are very power conscious.

 

[Skpstr]

One more question (I think): I notice on Partspicker, that the components come from different places, and I assume they're all (except Newegg.ca) US-based. Do you know of any issues with cross-border shipping for this kind of stuff?

EDIT: nvm, I googled them, they are all Canadian

 

[Supahos]

Nope all of those places are all Canadian, you can set it at the top to be only in certain countries, you could probably just get them all on Newegg.ca and come close to the same price.