Which CPU?

[GregDL]

Hello, I just have a quick question.

I'm thinking about upgrading my current cpu, and I'm going for an AMD build (since they're cheaper then intel)
I'm not going for the new fx cpu's, since I heard that they're not as good as most think.
So the following CPU's are available in my country (Belgium)

AMD Athlon II X3 460
(Retail, OPGA, "Rana")

AMD Phenom II X4 965
(Boxed, OPGA, "Deneb", Black Edition, 125 Watt)

AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
(Bulk, OPGA, "Thuban")

I'm a casual gamer (GTA IV, CoD BO, Sims, Battlefield, NFS) and also do some office tasks, internet.

What CPU should I choose?

 

[ebalong]

Hello, I just have a quick question.

I'm thinking about upgrading my current cpu, and I'm going for an AMD build (since they're cheaper then intel)
I'm not going for the new fx cpu's, since I heard that they're not as good as most think.
So the following CPU's are available in my country (Belgium)

AMD Athlon II X3 460
(Retail, OPGA, "Rana")

AMD Phenom II X4 965
(Boxed, OPGA, "Deneb", Black Edition, 125 Watt)

AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
(Bulk, OPGA, "Thuban")

I'm a casual gamer (GTA IV, CoD BO, Sims, Battlefield, NFS) and also do some office tasks, internet.

What CPU should I choose?

Are you wanting to put a new CPU in an existing motherboard or is it going to be a new motherboard and new CPU? If you have existing AMD motherboard, make sure it will be compatible with those processors. Even though the socket may be the same (AM3, AM3+ etc.), that does not guarantee compatibility, depending on how old your board is. I am not personally a user of AMD, but I think for gaming and general use the Phenom II X4 965 will be the best performing out of those three, it is unlocked (you can overclock it). I don't know prices in Belgium, but you can get the 965 for $120 on NewEgg. If you really wanted a six-core processor then the Thuban would be a good deal I guess (not available on NewEgg, but may be available wherever you purchase components), I think that one is not unlocked, though. If you are on a real slim budget then the Athlon would do all the stuff the Phenom does, just not quite as good.

 

[Robi_g]

Phenom ii X6 or X4, still strong by today's standards and definitely better than the FX-series

 

[mobrocket]

I would recommend u look into intel CPUs and motherboards cus of their upgrade path .
But if your heart is set on AMD, I'd go with:

AMD Phenom II X4 965

 

[Wisecracker]

AMD Athlon II X3 460

+0.85-1.4V
Max Temps (C) 75

That will push most any 'casual' gaming card.

Buy a really nice AM3+ motherboard. They will be around for quite some time with Piledriver and Steamroller.

 

[GregDL]

No, I haven't got an AMD compatible motherboard yet, so I'll have to buy one too.
Price of the 965: €110 (+- 100 dollar I guess?)
1055T: €150
460: €83

I thought of this motherboard:
ASRock 970 Extreme3

or

GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3

Which one is the best? (They both have the same price)

 

[Wisecracker]

Check out the least expensive memory that interests you -- and check the Memory QVL lists for each motherboard.

I like Gigabyte but would prefer the GA-970A-UD3. It's a bit more 'durable'

Do you have any 990X motherboards to choose from?

 

[ohyouknow]

I personally have a Gigabyte board and like it, but asrock are good as well. They do have the UEFI~mouse using bios if that is up your alley. 965 would be better performance out of the box in my opinion. So I would go with that. Cheers

 

[GregDL]

Yep, 990X motherboards are available here (a wow for Belgium, actually)
Also, shouldn't I wait for the AMD Piledivers or just go with the 965?

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

The best by far of the Amd multicore cpus is the biggest 1100T 6 core, but VERY hard to find...worth looking though...

All the best Brett

 

[ohyouknow]

Piledriver might be later on in the year like October or someother. Trinity APU is coming this summer I believe then Piledriver revision. If you can wait that long so be it but I still suggest you go 965 and game on.

 

[sarinaide]

Motherboards

Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD5
ASUS M599X Evo
ASUS Sabertooth 990FX
ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX
MSI-990FX-GD80
ASUS Crosshair V Formula
Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD7

On the cheap if you go with a Phenom II 965 BE or 1055T

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631R

 

[GregDL]

Piledriver might be later on in the year like October or someother. Trinity APU is coming this summer I believe then Piledriver revision. If you can wait that long so be it but I still suggest you go 965 and game on.

I think I'm going to wait for October because of hearing this. Might go for the newest CPU to be future proof. I managed to oc my current E5200 @ 3.0ghz and gained a huge performance jump in some games. Anyway, thanks for the advice!

 

[Wisecracker]

Yep, 990X motherboards are available here (a wow for Belgium, actually)
Also, shouldn't I wait for the AMD Piledivers or just go with the 965?

For 'casual' gaming, it simply comes down to your video card. It's your video card. It's your video card. Your other uses are not cpu intensive. That is where the 95w 460x3 Rana is such a great fit. In gaming at clock-for-clock speeds it will run 90-95% of a Phenom x4 or x6 -- at %50 or less of the cost. Before OC'ing. At 95w. Take that cash and put it toward a better video card ... or SSD.

The higher you climb up the AM3+ food chain, the more durable the PWMs, better cooling, more fan headers, etc., and the greater the PCIe lanes and video options - x8x8 CrossFire/SLI on the 990x. Some have dual eSATA. That's a biggie for me.

They also tend to receive better long-term support which will allow you to drop-in that Piledriver when the price is right :lol:

 

[GregDL]

For 'casual' gaming, it simply comes down to your video card. It's your video card. It's your video card. Your other uses are not cpu intensive. That is where the 95w 460x3 Rana is such a great fit. In gaming at clock-for-clock speeds it will run 90-95% of a Phenom x4 or x6 -- at %50 or less of the cost. Before OC'ing. At 95w. Take that cash and put it toward a better video card ... or SSD.

The higher you climb up the AM3+ food chain, the more durable the PWMs, better cooling, more fan headers, etc., and the greater the PCIe lanes and video options - x8x8 CrossFire/SLI on the 990x. Some have dual eSATA. That's a biggie for me.

They also tend to receive better long-term support which will allow you to drop-in that Piledriver when the price is right :lol:

Some games are CPU intensive, but I guess my HD5770 isn't the weakest card around?

 

[sarinaide]

Games will still be fundamentally driven by the graphics card.

 

[Wisecracker]

Some games are CPU intensive, but I guess my HD5770 isn't the weakest card around?

At 16x12-lower resolutions it should work great -- 19x12 or 1080p starts to show the limits of the 128-bus -- it might hold you back at max settings in some titles.

Little monsters in Crossfire, though. That would take your gaming to more than a casual level, fer sure.

 

[GregDL]

At 16x12-lower resolutions it should work great -- 19x12 or 1080p starts to show the limits of the 128-bus -- it might hold you back at max settings in some titles.

Little monsters in Crossfire, though. That would take your gaming to more than a casual level, fer sure.

I'm playing @1366x768 (I don't need more), also my motherboard doesn't support CF