X4 760K no L3 cache....gaming?!?!

[fatboyslimerr]

The X4 760K AMD chip interests me as its a cheap little CPU with an unlocked multiplier allowing for some overclocking fun. I was potentially going to buy an i5 gaming build but I don't want to spend a fortune on the K processors from intel (and related Z87 mobo). Also FX series don't have good mATX motherboards.

I mainly watch HD movies and play games at 1080p on high/very high settings (current laptop - i7 940XM and 7970M) so if I were to build a little mATX build using X4 760K and a decent cooler like Cosair H90, paired with something like a R9 280 or GTX 760 would I still be able to enjoy that same detail level? People have been easily able to reach 4.7Ghz OC on 760K but suggest the lack of L3 cache is still bottlenecking their GPUs. What would be a good GPU to pair with this CPU so as not to bottleneck? Perhaps Palit GTX 750 Ti Dual StormX? Can I run 1866 Mhz CL9 RAM to reduce bottlenecking?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wisecracker]

Take Logan's last build and use the FX-6300 with an Asus M5A97 (not LE) motherboard.

And LOL @ **inferior**

 

[logainofhades]

FX 6300 is inferior to an i5. FX 6300's competition is i3.

 

[expl0itfinder]

Take Logan's last build and use the FX-6300 with an Asus M5A97 (not LE) motherboard.

And LOL @ **inferior**

He isn't wrong. The i5 simply performs better. However, it is a fair bit more expensive. But he made it work in a build, so by all means. I personally value the ability to overclock, however.

 

[logainofhades]

Overclocking is nice, but kinda pointless if your performance is still less than a non overclocked rig for a similar price. The only real reason I have an 3570k is microcenter bundle and I had to have a board and chip right away. I was previously using an i5 2400 that now resides in my file server. I used it for an emergency repair to the file server.

 

[fatboyslimerr]

Arrghhh I'm no closer to deciding what to go for. Yes I like overclocking. My current i7 940XM has a stock clock of 2.1Ghz but it runs nice and stable at 3.1Ghz! Amazing overclockablility (if that is a word).

That was my original intention, to buy a cheap CPU (the 760K...look at thread title) and overclock for a bit of fun. To be honest I like the H87 Chipset and higher memory speeds of 1150. Also found an i5 4440 for £126. Problem is that the i5 4440 scores only 8% more in Passmark CPU Mark than my i7 940XM which isn't a significant enough difference really. An overclocked FX 6300 scores 18% more in Passmark than my 940XM.

Really tough decision!

 

[logainofhades]

Synthetics don't equal real world performance.

 

[expl0itfinder]

Synthetics don't equal real world performance.

Correct again. I suppose if you want performance in games, and just performance, the i5 is the way to go. If you want fun, then the FX 6300 is the way to go, and it is a fair bit cheaper.

 

[fatboyslimerr]

Ok here is another thought. Would an i3 4130 bottleneck a R9 270 or R9 270X? I know the hyperthreading improves performance over dual cores. i3 4130 costs the same as an FX 6300 here in the UK. I would then get a H81M motherboard which I could upgrade to something like i5 4570 when I could afford it.

 

[logainofhades]

An i3 would be OK as a temporary measure, yes. I would save up enough for a 1230v3 though. Just make sure the board you choose supports it. 😉