Wanting to upgrade - AMD CPU

[Martini1991]

Anyway the OP stated the following:

"as money isn't exactly flooding in"

Its best,the OP saves up a decent amount and do a decent upgrade/rebuild then doing something half-arsed.

So,IMHO they should wait a few months anyway.

Nothing half assed about an i5 Ivy at all. Doesn't sound like he overclocks, he'd be set for a long time with it.
Unless you're referring to an i3 2100, in which case I'll agree.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Nothing half assed about an i5 Ivy at all. Doesn't sound like he overclocks, he'd be set for a long time with it.
Unless you're referring to an i3 2100, in which case I'll agree.

??? Never said anything about IB being half arsed???

He said money is tight. In that sense,he should save up some more dosh,and they make sure he gets a reasonable motherboard(not a £35 job) and a reasonable PSU if he does not have one.

The GTX660 is also being released too. It all means,with a bit more competition all round prices tend to drop,and the OP will probably have a larger budget.

I also get the impression the current parts he has are quite new too.

 

[Martini1991]

??? Never said anything about IB being half arsed???

He said money is tight. In that sense,he should save up some more dosh,and they make sure he gets a reasonable motherboard(not a £35 job) and a reasonable PSU if he does not have one.

The GTX660 is also being released too. It all means,with a bit more competition all round prices tend to drop,and the OP will probably have a larger budget.

He said doesn't want to spend over 200 quid.
You can still get an i5 and board with that.

 

[Omaeka]

As Martini as mentioned, the best AMD gaming CPUs are the 960T or the 1090T/1100T.

All retail CPUs come with a cooler so don't worry about that.

You can move the steamapps folder to the new install, so all you do is back it up and no need to redownload. But as I said there's a good chance you don't have to reinstall Windows.

Guide here: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

As for grounding yourself, honestly all I do is plug the PSU into the mains, and touch it every now and then to "ground" myself (The PSU is off). Other people have different methods of grounding themselves.

I'll keep those AMD in mind, from the looks of it a good i5 and a new mobo is about the same price range as a top AMD, so its a no brainer to go the Intel route, oh god. Any luck I think I know a friend of the family who's changed countless hardware, but should I do it for the experience?

TBH,Vishera will be out in the next few months and will work with the motherboard the OP has. By then the desktop IB Core i3 CPUs will also be out,so the OP will have a better choice of CPUs to choose from.

If I had an FX4100,I would wait until then. Its not the world's best CPU for gaming,but at normal resolutions you should still be able to get reasonable framerates in many games.

Remember,most reviews are using GTX580,GTX680 and HD7970 cards,so the differences will be more exaggerated. You have an HD6850 1GB which is far less powerful.

What is Vishera? I'm pretty sure the card I want is the overclocked 7850, cheap and almost reaches 7970 range from what I've read, but if I go Intel am I best off using a Nvidia with it? If so whats a comparable Nvidia to the 7850?

To be honest, you could do something like this ;
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-407-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=567

www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-205-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2265

Allows you Crossfire in the future etc.

The cooler comes with the CPU.

That whole crossfire malarky sounds over my limits, but never the less...

(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)

Time to get studying.

Thanks!

 

[Hagar]

I've removed quite a few CPU's and exchanged them without removing my motherboard.
Even with my custom watercooling I'm able to switch CPU's within about 10 minutes, no removing my watercooling or motherboard.

You are undoubtably an 'expert' in these things, I also claim some expertise but for 10 minutes either side to unplug leads and undo a dozen screws I find it is a lot easier to take the mobo out. Anyway we digress.....

Considering the budget, I do not think that an unclocked i3/i5 would add much in the way of FPS without a top end GPU.

 

[Martini1991]

Vishera is AMD's new set of CPU's, but they could be months off, hell, it's AMD, probably early 2013.
It'll MAYBE bring IPC upto Core 2/Phenom II, it's not worth the gamble if you can make an investment in an Intel set up now.

AMD GPU and Intel CPU is perfectly fine, 7850 OC'ed is brilliant.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What is Vishera? I'm pretty sure the card I want is the overclocked 7850, cheap and almost reaches 7970 range from what I've read, but if I go Intel am I best off using a Nvidia with it? If so whats a comparable Nvidia to the 7850?

It does not matter what GPU you use. I have had countless Intel rigs and had no issue with AMD/ATI or Nvidia cards.

ATM,the GTX570 and GTX560TI 448 cards have dropped at many retailers to similar prices as the HD7850 2GB. I prefer the HD7850 2GB due to its power consumption and decent overclocking abilities,but the GTX570 and GTX560TI 448 are good cards.

In terms of generation,Nvidia are launching the GTX660 in the next few months.

Going by the GTX460 and GTX560TI launch prices,it should be around £200 or thereabouts at launch. If it is better than the HD7850,it should mean it will drop down some more in price.

I have already seen HD7850 2GB cards hit £160 and HD7950 cards hit £250,so unless you are very desparate for an upgrade,waiting a few months ATM for the GPU,will mean you will get better value for money.

 

[Omaeka]

Vishera is AMD's new set of CPU's, but they could be months off, hell, it's AMD, probably early 2013.
It'll MAYBE bring IPC upto Core 2/Phenom II, it's not worth the gamble if you can make an investment in an Intel set up now.

AMD GPU and Intel CPU is perfectly fine, 7850 OC'ed is brilliant.

The mobo and proc you linked me to come to £230 altogether, how much better is that setup than my Bulldozer and also one of the top AMD's?

Thanks!

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The mobo and proc you linked me to come to £230 altogether, how much better is that setup than my Bulldozer and also one of the top AMD's?

Thanks!

Much better for CPU limited games.

Edit!!

What games are you playing??

Is it something like BF3 or something like Diablo 3??

 

[Martini1991]

The mobo and proc you linked me to come to £230 altogether, how much better is that setup than my Bulldozer and also one of the top AMD's?

Thanks!

While you're on a 6850, you might not/won't notice much if any difference, on higher end GPU's you'd notice quite a difference.

The i5 3550 will have a lot of CPU power in the tank for gaming over an FX8150/FX8120.

Sell your current stuff and you'll likely garner 100 quid or something to offset the cost, which is less than an FX8 would cost you in the first place.

Only problem with the Ivy i5 is that you can't overclock it, however you do gain PCI-E 3.0 (Which may take more precedent in future generations)

CPU wise and motherboard wise you're future proof for as long as you could be.

On the AMD set up your CPU would run out of steam and you'd eventually PCI-E Bandwidth limit yourself (When this happens is anyones guess, but that's something that won't happen on the Intel setup)

 

[Omaeka]

Much better for CPU limited games.

Edit!!

What games are you playing??

Is it something like BF3 or something like Diablo 3??

Well at the moment I play;

Diablo III, Fear 3, Arma II, Torchlight, Rune Classic, Lord of the Rings Online, Sniper Elite V2, Risen 2, Street Fighter x Tekken, Max Payne 3, Indie titles and the only one that I suffer performance issues in; Skyrim.

While you're on a 6850, you might not/won't notice much if any difference, on higher end GPU's you'd notice quite a difference.

The i5 3550 will have a lot of CPU power in the tank for gaming over an FX8150/FX8120.

Sell your current stuff and you'll likely garner 100 quid or something to offset the cost, which is less than an FX8 would cost you in the first place.

Only problem with the Ivy i5 is that you can't overclock it, however you do gain PCI-E 3.0 (Which may take more precedent in future generations)

CPU wise and motherboard wise you're future proof for as long as you could be.

On the AMD set up your CPU would run out of steam and you'd eventually PCI-E Bandwidth limit yourself (When this happens is anyones guess, but that's something that won't happen on the Intel setup)

I'm not gonna lie, most of that made no sense to me but I get that Intel are better for the long run, but somewhat more expensive and more work, whereas AMD are better for the short term with little to no effort. Something to consider also would be the need to upgrade both G and CPU's at the same time, to avoid them holding one another back if done seperately?

Thanks!

 

[Martini1991]

There's no real difference in effort between the two, and these days I wouldn't say AMD are better for the short term.
When you originally bought yourself a set up, if you'd gone Intel with say an i3 on socket 1155, you'd easily be able to update to an ivy i7 for example or had gone the i7 in the first place.

The CPU upgrade I'd do first, as I can't see there being anything shaking things up.
The GPU upgrade would be limited on the FX4100 when the GPU is overclocked imo.

At the same time is good, but it's your call, I'd do the CPU and motherboard upgrade first, gets you into the PC stuff.

 

[Hagar]

What is being said is spend £230 but unless you upgrade the GPU as well you won't get much of a performance change.

Keep the current system and upgrade the GPU but you may be limited by the CPU at some point.

 

[Martini1991]

What is being said is spend £230 but unless you upgrade the GPU as well you won't get much of a performance change.

Keep the current system and upgrade the GPU but you may be limited by the CPU at some point.

Looks like he's wanting to upgrade both.

 

[Omaeka]

There's no real difference in effort between the two, and these days I wouldn't say AMD are better for the short term.
When you originally bought yourself a set up, if you'd gone Intel with say an i3 on socket 1155, you'd easily be able to update to an ivy i7 for example or had gone the i7 in the first place.

The CPU upgrade I'd do first, as I can't see there being anything shaking things up.
The GPU upgrade would be limited on the FX4100 when the GPU is overclocked imo.

At the same time is good, but it's your call, I'd do the CPU and motherboard upgrade first, gets you into the PC stuff.

Thats what I was thinking, if I have an okay graphics card but a poop processor, its a no brainer which one should go first. How much would you price a mint condition Bulldozer FX-4100 3.62 at?

 

[Martini1991]

Thats what I was thinking, if I have an okay graphics card but a poop processor, its a no brainer which one should go first. How much would you price a mint condition Bulldozer FX-4100 3.62 at?

Can't price check out of members market.
Although I'd have to say your FX and 6850 are about equal (As in they both can push each other)
Your frame rate may be more consistent on an Intel, but not enough to constitute the 230 pound investment unless you do a GPU upgrade relatively soon (Or at least are definitely intending to and can afford both)

 

[Marine-RX179]

Well at the moment I play;

Diablo III, Fear 3, Arma II, Torchlight, Rune Classic, Lord of the Rings Online, Sniper Elite V2, Risen 2, Street Fighter x Tekken, Max Payne 3, Indie titles and the only one that I suffer performance issues in; Skyrim.



I'm not gonna lie, most of that made no sense to me but I get that Intel are better for the long run, but somewhat more expensive and more work, whereas AMD are better for the short term with little to no effort. Something to consider also would be the need to upgrade both G and CPU's at the same time, to avoid them holding one another back if done seperately?

Actually the thing is no matter what CPU you stick onto the AM3+ board, they simply won't make too much an improvement (if at all) on gaming performance.

I'm with Martini1991 on this one...the improvement you get for going from AMD to Intel is well worth the effort and the money. Getting a FX8150/FX8120 won't really improve the gaming performance, as they are pretty much same CPU as the FX4100 but with more cores and different clock speed...and having more cores over four cores won't really help, as 90%+ of the games still uses only 3 cores or less. So basically you will only be throwing good money after bad.

I recall Martini1991 being a long time AMD users...and with him jumped boat, went Intel and now recommend you this he knows what he's talking about.

Can't price check out of members market.
Although I'd have to say your FX and 6850 are about equal (As in they both can push each other)

The FX4100 is probably around on par with (or a bit slower than) Q6600 at 3.6GHz, and my old Q6600 at 3.6GHz would oftenly bottleneck my 5850 quite severely when playing online games, so I'm getting his FX4100 would bottleneck his 6850 (around 8-10% slower than 5850) in some games as well.

 

[Hagar]

gets you into the PC stuff.

I don't know of any PC software that depends on Intel to run.

 

[Omaeka]

What is being said is spend £230 but unless you upgrade the GPU as well you won't get much of a performance change.

Keep the current system and upgrade the GPU but you may be limited by the CPU at some point.

Can't price check out of members market.
Although I'd have to say your FX and 6850 are about equal (As in they both can push each other)
Your frame rate may be more consistent on an Intel, but not enough to constitute the 230 pound investment unless you do a GPU upgrade relatively soon (Or at least are definitely intending to and can afford both)

Actually the thing is no matter what CPU you stick onto the AM3+ board, they simply won't make too much an improvement (if at all) on gaming performance.

I'm with Martini1991 on this one...the improvement you get for going from AMD to Intel is well worth the effort and the money. Getting a FX8150/FX8120 won't really improve the gaming performance, as they are pretty much same CPU as the FX4100 but with more cores and different clock speed...and having more cores over four cores won't really help, as 90%+ of the games still uses only 3 cores or less. So basically you will only be throwing good money after bad.

I recall Martini1991 being a long time AMD users...and with him jumped boat, went Intel and now recommend you this he knows what he's talking about.

So long story short, I should upgrade to an i5 sharpish and then look for an 7850 afterwards? I'd say short term (until about August) I can afford one or the other, so logic would have me upgrade mobo+proc first?

Thanks!

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Well at the moment I play;

Diablo III, Fear 3, Arma II, Torchlight, Rune Classic, Lord of the Rings Online, Sniper Elite V2, Risen 2, Street Fighter x Tekken, Max Payne 3, Indie titles and the only one that I suffer performance issues in; Skyrim.

I think as Martini1991 says,the Core i3 2100 would have been a good choice in the first place,but the FX4100 is probably fine in many games still with an HD6850 1GB. However,with an HD7850 2GB,I am not so sure? I have a Core i3 2100 myself,but TDP was the main reason(hence no Core i5 at the time),as my rig is quite small and the lower TDP SB CPUs were silly money. Luckily,IB is not so bad in that regards,so I will eventually change over to them.

Skyrim is demanding as it uses only two threads. However,have you tried to play around with the settings and drivers,to see if you can improve peformance?

Silly question - I assume you got a decent PSU when you bought the rig? If you are changing over to an overclocked HD7850 2GB,it will still consume more power in that state than your HD6850.