AMD FX-8 Lightning?

MBH38

MBH38

MBH38

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Hi

I am looking at getting this system.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-316-OE&groupid=43&catid=2475&subcat=2485

It's for my daughter who mainly plays World of Warcraft and sometimes Star Wars the Old Republic.

I'm pretty sure that this PC will handle those games quite easily.

I just wondered what the pros and cons are about this system and if it would be possible to upgrade the GPU at a later date without getting a more powerful PSU

Thanks in advance.

Ps I really don't want to self build ;)
 
Theres nothing wrong with the AMD system you linked really, it looks to be a good price. But if I were you I would request that it be built in a different case because those Asgard II's are awful.

These CoolerMaster cases are only a few quid more and are far better (structural rigidity and quality wise)

If your daughter is not bothered about having a side window and likes the look of it, the Alfar is a fantastic case with regard to build quality, and it looks a fair bit better that the CoolerMasters in my opinion.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Xigmatek Alfar Midi Tower Case - All Black £44.99
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Red LED Windowed Case - Black £39.95
1 x Cooler Master Elite 430 Green LED Windowed Case - Black £39.95

 
Take note that the 7850 is only a 1GB model too. 2GB would be preferable however cost more. If you're gaming at 1920*1080+ I'd recommend the 2GB.
 
Are they okay with making changes to the instore systems, I thought the reason why they were such good value was that you get what was on the box and that was it.

I would like to improve the gfx card (if the PSU is up to it) but I am at the max limit of the cash I have to spend and my daughters monitor is a couple of years old and a way off 1920x1080 resolutions.

If I can get some more cash together by cutting out non essentials like food and electricity then I will see about upgrading the GPU

Thanks guys
 
Yeah I have seen the pictures of yours and am only slightly jealous. I wish I has stumped for an AMD to be honest, have always bought them in the past. However no complaints about the pc OC did for me, runs like a dream and really tidy inside.
 
Not wrong with AMD CPU for gaming...except for guaranteed much lesser performance than Intel in games that use less than 6 cores (which is majority of the games), particularly in CPU intensive titles (and WOW pretty much only use single-core for the main workload).

MMOs (and RTS) are simply the type of games that would get better frame rate with faster CPU (more power over fewer cores) with a slower graphic card than the other way round. For example an Intel i5 K with a 7770 would give overall better and more consistance than a FX8 with a 7850 in pretty much all MMOs in general (not including turning on crazy frame rate killer things like Super Sampling).

The system that danewesley quoted in #2 would do significantly better than the AMD system in OP post (i5 3570K at 4.40GHz with GTX650Ti Boost 2GB vs FX8320 at 3.50GHz with 7850 1GB) for WOW and SWTOR, but the down side is unlike the AMD system, that Intel system doesn't include OS, so it will be cost a bit more.
 
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Id agree with upgrading the case but the 1gb model of 7850 is fine I own one and have overclocked it and it will keep up with a 7850 2gb.

Check the review out on the 1gb model on bit tech. Handles 1920x1080 fantastically.
 
As it's for my daughter (she will be 12) and her monitor is a couple of years old and doesn't go up to HD resolutions, I think the 1gb card should be okay for a while and I can always upgrade my 7850 2gb at some point and give it to her.
I will be upgrading to the green coolermaster case just for the 11 year old's logic 'that it matches her mouse mat'
I know Intel would be a better chip overall but I have no issues getting an AMD, it will do the job that I want it for and of course the system is a lot cheaper.
 
MBH38 said:
As it's for my daughter (she will be 12) and her monitor is a couple of years old and doesn't go up to HD resolutions, I think the 1gb card should be okay for a while and I can always upgrade my 7850 2gb at some point and give it to her.
I will be upgrading to the green coolermaster case just for the 11 year old's logic 'that it matches her mouse mat'
I know Intel would be a better chip overall but I have no issues getting an AMD, it will do the job that I want it for and of course the system is a lot cheaper.
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How about this?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-237-OK&groupid=43&catid=2475
The i3 2120 would be faster than the stock clock FX8320 in mmos in general, and going for the 7770 1GB would be more than enough for...I'm guessing your existing monitor is 1280x1024 or 1366x768 res?
If you change the graphic card to 7770 1GB and then add a Window 64 bit oem, it only comes to a total of £566.88, comparing to the "AMD FX-8 Lightning" with the FX8320 and 7850 1GB at £650?

Alternatively, you could also considering the IvyBridge i3 system with the 7850 2GB?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-307-OE&groupid=43&catid=2475
Adding the Window 64 bit oem would bring the total to just £609.
If your own system has a good enough PSU and a motherboard supporting crossfire, may be you can even pull the 7850 2GB from this system and add to your own, and putting a lesser card (a new 7770 1GB may be at £80, or 2nd hand 5770 at £35-£40) into your daughter's system? :D However I don't know what's OcUK's stance on warranty with changing graphic card, it might worth checking in advance.
 
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MBH38 said:
I have explored the Intel route and unfortunately they are a little out of my price range.
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Don't worry about not going for an intel route, the difference isn't godly and it's not something that will load WOW for example 10 seconds quicker.

The AMD FX-8 Lightning is totally fine considering budget and world of warcraft
 
ussie said:
Don't worry about not going for an intel route, the difference isn't godly and it's not something that will load WOW for example 10 seconds quicker.

The AMD FX-8 Lightning is totally fine considering budget and world of warcraft
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I have to agree. I think at this level the difference the chip would make would be hardly noticed.
The AMD Lightning will be a massive upgrade to what she has now and thats whats important
 
ussie said:
Don't worry about not going for an intel route, the difference isn't godly and it's not something that will load WOW for example 10 seconds quicker.

The AMD FX-8 Lightning is totally fine considering budget and world of warcraft
Click to expand...
Load time is most affected/limited by hard-drive speed (in which case having SSD would make load time insanely quick), where as CPU speed on the other hand has direct impact on the frame rate in mmos such as WOW, particular when in busy area with tonnes of people and lots of things going on at the same time. The biggest problem with WOW is that it would pretty much only use 1 out of the 8 cores (or should I say modules?) for rendering. Also you can't use the performance of your own FX-8350 at 4.8GHz as reference, as the system that OP is looking at is only a FX-8320 at 3.5GHz, which he won't be overclocking.
 
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Marine-RX179 said:
Load time is most affected/limited by hard-drive speed (in which case having SSD would make load time insanely quick), where as CPU speed on the other hand has direct impact on the frame rate in mmos such as WOW, particular when in busy area with tonnes of people and lots of things going on at the same time. The biggest problem with WOW is that it would pretty much only use 1 out of the 8 cores (or should I say modules?) for rendering. Also you can't use the performance of your own FX-8350 at 4.8GHz as reference, as the system that OP is looking at is only a FX-8320 at 3.5GHz, which he won't be overclocking.
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I'm not using my own system as a reference. I'm speaking on behalf of the system being discussed about.
 
personally for the purpose described i'd sooner take the i3 that marine-rx179 suggested (or a 4/6 core amd) but include an ssd and 7770, still cheaper than the amd 8 core but for the purpose would give a better overall experience. The 8 core chip seems tottally over the top for the requirement, imo thats just a chunk of budget that will be wasted as its unlikely to be used, spending it on an ssd or better gfx makes more sense imo.
 
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