Buying AMD for Gaming

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 08:31

Right so here's where I'm at, I just need a processor to complete my build. I don't have a budget. My motherboard supports the new BDs. All I'm interested in is gaming but if there's even a slight performance increase then I definitely want it.

So in gaming terms what is the best AMD processor option at the moment, in terms of speed and performance?

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 08:37

I am between these:

AMD 8150FX - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-311-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1942

Phenom II X4 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-304-AM

Phenom II 1100T - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-277-AM

Baring in mind I'm only interested in gaming performance and not value for money. Which will perform best?

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 08:39

Take the 1090T

FlyingPig · 12 Oct 2011 at 08:40

I read great reviews about the new Bulldozer chip!

...

Oh wait

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 08:41

Final8y said:
Take the 1090T

Why? Is it just the 1100T before OC?

But my point is, is the 1100T the best performing gaming CPU for AMD currently.

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 08:57

Gandeh said:
1)Why? Is it just the 1100T before OC?

2)But my point is, is the 1100T the best performing gaming CPU for AMD currently.

1)Because its cheaper and 100Mhz would be easy to match on the 1090T.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums...ot-Core-(Phenom-II-X6)-XS-Overclocking-Charts

2) Only if the clock is equal or more than the AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 980 Black Edition.

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:00

So am I right in understanding what you're saying is that a 1090T is cheaper than the 1100T but can be overclocked to be as good as the 1100T? And therefore the best choice?

My question though is this;

Doesn't it make more sense to go for a 1100T and overclock it? Even if I get a marginal increase it will be better than the 1090T?

Also does this mean that both the 1090T and 1100T are better for gaming than the X4 3.7ghz Phenom

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:10

Gandeh said:
So am I right in understanding what you're saying is that a 1090T is cheaper than the 1100T but can be overclocked to be as good as the 1100T? And therefore the best choice?

My question though is this;

Doesn't it make more sense to go for a 1100T and overclock it? Even if I get a marginal increase it will be better than the 1090T?

Also does this mean that both the 1090T and 1100T are better for gaming than the X4 3.7ghz Phenom

If the 1100T OCed consistently better than the 1090T then the 1100T would be the one to get, but i have not seen that of yet.

I have a 3.7 X4 and a 1090T and at the same clock the 1090T is equal or better in performance depending on the game/app.

Oh and i do have a 1100T it really sucked with Ocing and im giving it to a friend.

Bleek · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:12

Does a 1090T work in an AM2 board?

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:15

Bleek said:
Does a 1090T work in an AM2 board?

I doubt it.

Some AM2+ boards.

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:21

Final8y said:
If the 1100T OCed consistently better than the 1090T then the 1100T would be the one to get, but i have not seen that of yet.

I have a 3.7 X4 and a 1090T and at the same clock the 1090T is equal or better in performance depending on the game/app.

Oh and i do have a 1100T it really sucked with Ocing and im giving it to a friend.

That's really interesting thank you.

I'm really swaying towards getting a 1090T but two things are tapping on my mind and they are this:

When I look at benchmarks such as this one - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/146?vs=362 - The 1090T seems to fall short of the x4 980 in most tests.

The other thing that is weighing on me is that the 1100T is only £20 more at most. Now I don't mind OC, i've not done it before but I want to get the most out of the processor I choose. But I just want to adjust the settings and then leave it alone from there on in. With that in mind is the 1090 still the better choice?

thanks in advance for the advice

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:26

Gandeh said:
That's really interesting thank you.

I'm really swaying towards getting a 1090T but two things are tapping on my mind and they are this:

When I look at benchmarks such as this one - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/146?vs=362 - The 1090T seems to fall short of the x4 980 in most tests.

The other thing that is weighing on me is that the 1100T is only £20 more at most. Now I don't mind OC, i've not done it before but I want to get the most out of the processor I choose. But I just want to adjust the settings and then leave it alone from there on in. With that in mind is the 1090 still the better choice?

thanks in advance for the advice

At stock the 1090T will fall short because of the 500Mhz less than the x4 980.

If your not going to OC then get the x4 980, if your willing to OC get the 1090T.

Bleek · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:28

Final8y said:
I doubt it.

Some AM2+ boards.

Thanks.

Thing is I'm still running an AM2 with a 3.5GHz 720 Black, the most intensive apps I run are games and I run them at 2048x with AA. In other words, my CPU is still more than up to task to match even the best Intel because I'm GPU limited.

I have no need to upgrade my 'tired' Phenom II, be it to AMD or Intel.

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:30

Final8y said:
At stock the 1090T will fall short because of the 500Mhz less than the x4 980.

If your not going to OC then get the x4 980, in your willing to OC get the 1090T.

Is over clocking the 1090T fairly simple? And once I've adjusted the settings will I be able to then leave it alone and let it run or will I have to constantly tweak it depending on what I'm doing?

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:33

Bleek said:
Thanks.

Thing is I'm still running an AM2 with a 3.5GHz 720 Black, the most intensive apps I run are games and I run them at 2048x with AA. In other words, my CPU is still more than up to task to match even the best Intel because I'm GPU limited.

I have no need to upgrade my 'tired' Phenom II, be it to AMD or Intel.

What mobo have you got ?

As i went from 939 to AM2+ and was not aware that a PII would even work in AM2.

Zinth · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:37

FlyingPig said:
I read great reviews about the new Bulldozer chip!

...

Oh wait

too soon

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:40

Gandeh said:
Is over clocking the 1090T fairly simple? And once I've adjusted the settings will I be able to then leave it alone and let it run or will I have to constantly tweak it depending on what I'm doing?

It is simple most of the time depending on the motherboard and BIOS.

Gandeh · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:42

Final8y said:
It is simple most of the time depending on the motherboard and BIOS.

I'll be using a Asus Sabertooth 990FX

Sorry for all the questions but I'm going to be ordering today

I'm just trying to get my head around how the 1090T is better than the X4 980 for gaming.

Bleek · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:42

Final8y said:
What mobo have you got ?

As i went from 939 to AM2+ and was not aware that a PII would even work in AM2.

MSI K9A2 Platinum, it's an AM2+.

It's been a rock for several years and quite frankly looks like it'll do another year without issue.

Final8y · 12 Oct 2011 at 10:48

I'm just finding some links and i will get back to both of you.