Bang for buck gaming AMD CPUs

[skidawgz]

Hey, I want to build an AMD based gaming rig for someone that has the capability to run with a $180-$300 GPU, and I have an Intel so I don't know which AMD chips are the best overclockers and stock performers.

I am not interested in hearing about any Intel offerings as I know plenty about all of them. If trying to spec a $500-$650 gaming setup what are the best choices? Guild wars 2, which is processor heavy, is the main title.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[txus.palacios]

Do the $650 include the GPU? Sorry, I can't understand if he has a $300 GPU or not.

 

[Aldakoopa]

FX-6300 is a pretty good choice.

 

[Knufire]

6300 or 8320, depending on the budget. However, you want to account for a quality motherboard ($110 for a Gigabyte 970-UD3 if you don't care about multicard setups) and a good aftermarket cooler as these things run pretty hot but really shine when overclocked.

 

[trents]

FX 6300. Get an 8+2 powerphase motherboard so there's room to overclock it.

 

[ssjwizard]

The 6300 is hands down bang for your dollar in a gaming rig on the AMD platform right now. I also second/third all the comments about getting a solid motherboard. I have used 7 or 8 different AMD boards on various FX chips over the last two years, so trust me when I say you will regret not making a careful selection on your board purchase.

I have a link in my sig with info on the current generation of AMD boards you may want to look over.

 

[skidawgz]

the GPU would be the best that can be bought with whatever is left over. it may be anything from a HD 7850 on up.

Seems the universal answer is FX-6300 I see ha ha.

I want a micro-ATX board, so I'll check your link.

 

[trents]

Micro ATX is not a good idea for gaming and overclocking. They tend not to be robust boards (lower end chipsets, not heavy duty power phase components) and have poorer heat dissipation. IMO, a micro would not be a good match for an FX CPU. Does the case require a micor ATX? Look at this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

 

[Knufire]

Do you live nearby a Microcenter?

 

[skidawgz]

I live by one yes, and I do know about their CPU mobo Combos.
OK, i have a UD3 for my i5, not very hard to sell me on the full size mobo. It was for budget reasons, not for case that I mentioned microATX.

What are the easy/common clock speeds to get to? The person that this is for is a total noob. trying to make the goals safe and easy.

 

[skidawgz]

Thanks for the help all, I was able to keep the build to under $750.

 

[Knufire]

What's the build?

 

[Mandrake4565]

I just put a similar build together for a friend it comes to about $600.00

 

[wingman99]

I just put a similar build together for a friend it comes to about $600.00

Do you have it overclocked?

 

[skidawgz]

What's the build?

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GPU will be changed' I'm sure.

 

[Culbrelai]

Micro ATX is not a good idea for gaming and overclocking. They tend not to be robust boards (lower end chipsets, not heavy duty power phase components) and have poorer heat dissipation. IMO, a micro would not be a good match for an FX CPU. Does the case require a micor ATX? Look at this instead:

Really? I suppose you get what you pay for. Are there any expensive Micro ATX boards that ensure quality? (like EVGA's new Stinger?) Larger boards are more robust? Q_Q confounding

 

[motherboard1]

6300 or 8320, depending on the budget. However, you want to account for a quality motherboard ($110 for a Gigabyte 970-UD3 if you don't care about multicard setups) and a good aftermarket cooler as these things run pretty hot but really shine when overclocked.

Gigabyte 970-UD3

- 2 PCI-E 2.0 x16 interfaces for ultimate graphics performance

Why wouldn't you recommend this board for a Multicard setup ?

 

[Knufire]

The 2nd full length PCIe slot is electrically limited to x4, which is going to bottleneck any card worth putting into a multicard configuration. AFAik, all 970 chipset boards are like this, you want to go 990X or 990FX for multicard.

 

[txus.palacios]

The 2nd full length PCIe slot is electrically limited to x4, which is going to bottleneck any card worth putting into a multicard configuration. AFAik, all 970 chipset boards are like this, you want to go 990X or 990FX for multicard.

Right on the spot. 970 is for single card, 990X for 8x/8x and 990FX for 16x/16x.

 

[motherboard1]

Oh right. I guess I have to read the fine print, they just don't come right out and advertise that one of the slots is limited.

At which point up the GPU ladder do you become limited by 8x/8x for a 2 card setup?