AMD budget build opinions

IncognitoX · 15 Oct 2012 at 10:39

I am building a budget gaming machine, going to be purchasing parts starting sometime next week.

I have a big dilemma... and before I get into Intel vs AMD thread, I'm not interested.

But.. AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 965 3.40Ghz or AMD Bulldozer FX-4 Quad Core 4100 Black Edition 3.60Ghz.

Based on cost, compatiblity for the future and basic performance, which is better?

Thanks for advance.

stulid · 15 Oct 2012 at 10:48

The Phenom 965BE is faster.

OliverDavis · 15 Oct 2012 at 11:04

As long as you go AM3+ Socket then you should be able to upgrade to Piledriver when its out in a few weeks or Steamroller next year, they will both have improvements over Phenom/Bulldozer!

IncognitoX · 15 Oct 2012 at 11:16

Right thanks guys, I might stick with the Phenom because its the cheapest then move to piledriver.

A quick question, I have chosen Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 AMD 760G (Socket AM3+) MB to go with this processor. Is this a good choice?

Furthermore many reviews have said not to use the stock cooler, could you recommend a new one?

thanks!

stulid · 15 Oct 2012 at 11:24

That board supports 125w CPU's, so does this one - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-385-GI&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=2046

OliverDavis · 16 Oct 2012 at 08:56

Yeah try to pick a board with the 990 chipset, the 760 is rather old and lacking in many features!

IncognitoX · 16 Oct 2012 at 12:20

I realise that but I need a board with has on-board graphics because I can't afford a decent graphics card just yet.

Could you recommend a better one than I have selected for around the same price?

stulid · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:08

IncognitoX said:
I realise that but I need a board with has on-board graphics because I can't afford a decent graphics card just yet.

Could you recommend a better one than I have selected for around the same price?

Have you considered a AMD trinity CPU+Board?

YOUR BASKET
1 x AMD A8-5600K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Quad Core Processor (AD560KWOHJBOX) £79.99
1 x Gigabyte F2A75M-D3H AMD A75 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £69.98
Total : £160.78 (includes shipping : £9.00).

Don't need a GFX card then

Martini1991 · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:16

OliverDavis said:
As long as you go AM3+ Socket then you should be able to upgrade to Piledriver when its out in a few weeks or Steamroller next year, they will both have improvements over Phenom/Bulldozer!

Piledriver isn't looking like it's going to best good old Phenom II all the way yet, more an improvement of Bulldozer, but not all the way yet.

stulid said:
Have you considered a AMD trinity CPU+Board?

Phenom II's still looking better, plenty of budget AM3+ boards with onboard.

IncognitoX · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:20

Whats the advantages between the AMD A8 compared to the Phenom?

stulid · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:21

Martini1991 said:
Phenom II's still looking better, plenty of budget AM3+ boards with onboard.

I'm considering the OP's needs, it's a budget build and he says he cant afford a GFX card yet, Trinity solves that.

stulid · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:22

IncognitoX said:
Whats the advantages between the AMD A8 compared to the Phenom?

It has a powerful built-in GFX core.

So decnt gaming is posible.

I even did a review of the older Llano APU's - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18338581 - the videos clearly show how much smoother that was against the GFX core of a 2500K.

More Trinity,

Martini1991 · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:26

stulid said:
I'm considering the OP's needs, it's a budget build and he says he cant afford a GFX card yet, Trinity solves that.

I get that, but what if he's wanting to go quite high up with the GPU later on as opposed compromising now?

Phenom II X4 deals have been around 60 quid for the CPU, get an AM3+ board for 40 with onboard, that comes to 60 quid cheaper than the trinity, and then you can fit a better GPU in that extra 60 quid.
Both being better CPU wise than the Trinity build and better GPU wise.

Trinity IGP is good, and I love the idea, but I think it's better to consider all options.

IncognitoX · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:28

That seems extremely promising! Would you recommend this if I was on a budget over the Phenom?

stulid · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:29

You can still put a fast GFX card in the Llano system and enjoy a perfectly fine gaming experience.

Martini1991 · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:31

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-215-MS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1481

For the cheapest AM3+ with onboard, or go ;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-485-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1481

Then get ; http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-244-AM&groupid=701&catid=1967&subcat=1943

You have money for a better GPU than the A8 IGP.

Or can stretch to say a 7750 and have a much better experience at say 20 quid more.

stulid said:
You can still put a fast GFX card in the Llano system and enjoy a perfectly fine gaming experience.

No point compromising when Phenom II 955 is 65 quid and you can get a board for 35 quid that's AM3+

Leaves money for a better GPU than the A8 IGP, or a Llano IGP.

IncognitoX · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:31

This is where I become so undecided, you both have valid points :/

stulid · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:32

IncognitoX said:
That seems extremely promising! Would you recommend this if I was on a budget over the Phenom?

Yes.

Plus the motherboards such as the A75 chipset have lots of native SATAIII ports and nothing from a worse third party add on chip.

Lots of USB3.0

Can run eyefinity from the motherboard (assuming it has enough connectors)

And you can add a £60 ATI 6670 GFX card and combine it with the Trinity GFX core to "dual" up the performance.

Idleman · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:34

Can you post the spec for the parts you are getting for this build and your max budget.

IncognitoX · 16 Oct 2012 at 13:34

The first board you posted doesn't seem to support 125w CPUs so that would be out of the question for the Phenom.

Is it possible to just add a GFX card to the AMD A8 setup and still get the performance boost?