What do you guys think about this?

[NotChetHanks]

I want a new build but I don't feel like spending a lot. I was looking at performance and found a processor and I know that my genius friends here at Neowin would be the best people to ask.

Why the hell is this processor so cheap? It's extremely powerful. Is it because of the heat?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904561&Sku=A79-8350&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=10&body=REVIEWS#CustomerReviewsBlock

Thanks folks!

[Sandor]

AMD's aren't powerful.

[NotChetHanks]

AMD's aren't powerful.

Specs look good, what am I missing?

[Luc2k]

Specs look good, what am I missing?

AMD has lower IPC than Intel meaning that performance is lower in applications and games that don't handle cores properly. It should be better than an equivalent i5 at the same price for general usage and multitasking. Another low point is power usage which is higher than i5s.

Personally I'd go with the 8320 and overclock that. You can can get AMD boards with the same features (without PCIE3) as Intel ones at lower prices. Their current socket AM3+ should support the next gen Steamroller (coming ~2014), while the 1155 Intel socket is a dead end. Alternatively, you can wait for Intel's Haswell which should hit on their new socket around June, but don't expect it to be budget friendly.

[NotChetHanks]

AMD has lower IPC than Intel meaning that performance is lower in applications and games that don't handle cores properly. It should be better than an equivalent i5 at the same price for general usage and multitasking. Another low point is power usage which is higher than i5s.

Personally I'd go with the 8320 and overclock that. You can can get AMD boards with the same features (without PCIE3) as Intel ones at lower prices. Their current socket AM3+ should support the next gen Steamroller (coming ~2014), while the 1155 Intel socket is a dead end. Alternatively, you can wait for Intel's Haswell which should hit on their new socket around June, but don't expect it to be budget friendly.

Thanks for the amazingly detailed response. I'm not stuck to one brand I just want something decent at a fair price. Not into much gaming anymore so I would barely do that. You seem to think Intel is a better choice and I have been eyeing the i5 so...

[Salutary7]

It's an awesome deal if you typically deal with several heavy duty applications simultaneously. An equivalent Intel chip in that area would cost a lot more. It's not so good for single application loads, though, which is more typical usage. So gaming would be an example where you might want to choose a different product.

[BillDozer357]

It's an awesome deal if you typically deal with several heavy duty applications simultaneously. An equivalent Intel chip in that area would cost a lot more. It's not so good for single application loads, though, which is more typical usage. So gaming would be an example where you might want to choose a different product.

not a lot more http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor

[NotChetHanks]

not a lot more http://www.microcent..._1155_Processor

Damn it! I live in Florida.

[Scorbing]

AMD's aren't powerful.

Says who?

[Salutary7]

not a lot more http://www.microcent..._1155_Processor

Wow, I was pegging that CPU at around $289. That's pretty good. The 3770 is $289.. so that an even better deal :|

[Scorbing]

Anybody that tells you AMDs aren't powerful is an Intel fanboy. AMDs are powerful and they are just as good and efficient as Intel's more expensive counterpart. I was an Intel-Only user and I decided to give AMD a chance this time around and I can't complain. The FX 8150 8 Core CPU I got its a monster and it handles everything I throw at it with ease and without hesitation.

I used to be one of those that believed AMD was crap. I was wrong.

[Luc2k]

OP maybe you can say what config your current PC has and name what you typically do with it so we can get a better idea of where you're coming from and what you need.

Also, I don't believe Intel is better, it all depends on a lot of factors really. Even if AMD is far from the crown, it's quite competitive in price/performance.

[NotChetHanks]

OP maybe you can say what config your current PC has and name what you typically do with it so we can get a better idea of where you're coming from and what you need.

Also, I don't believe Intel is better, it all depends on a lot of factors really. Even if AMD is far from the crown, it's quite competitive in price/performance.

Boy am I glad this isn't an e-penis measuring contest...

E6600 OC'd 3.24Ghz

2GB OCZ RAM

ATI X1950XTX

Gigabyte Mobo

^^I used to game way back but after I bought my PS3 I stopped with PC games. I ONLY use my PC for DreamWeaver, some Photoshop and maybe some video editing in the near future. Honestly, the ONLY way I'd game is if I get a free game from a friend :shiftyninja: or it's just something I have to have. A friend of mine gave me a download code for AC3 because he bought 2 video cards and got them included. That would be the only game I played.

So in short, web editing, photo editing and movie editing down the line. Oh and streaming HD movies to my TV.

[Colin.B]

Who says 1175 is a dead end?

Anyways, I feel that AMD CPU is good at that price point. Anything over that and I wouldn't bother as you can go with the 3570k which is generally the better buy. But really, will you notice a difference? Likely not.If you want to keep it under 200 and will be doing a lot of multitasking, editing or any heavy duty stuff the 8350 will be just fine.

[Luc2k]

snip

The FX is damn good for that. I would go for the 8320 and overlock to 8350 level or more as needed because I'm a penny pincher. :shifty:

Who says 1175 is a dead end?

Intel does, the 1155 will be replaced by the 1150 for Haswell and Broadwell.

[Colin.B]

The FX is damn good for that. I would go for the 8320 and overlock to 8350 level or more as needed because I'm a penny pincher. :shifty:

Intel does, the 1155 will be replaced by the 1150 for Haswell and Broadwell.

Right but saying it's a dead end somewhat implies it's also a poor buy.

[NotChetHanks]

Soooooo would any of you awesome folks be willing to post a good video card, mobo combo for the FX 8320? :D

Just remember how much I love and appreciate you all!

[Colin.B]

Soooooo would any of you awesome folks be willing to post a good video card, mobo combo for the FX 8320? :D

Just remember how much I love and appreciate you all!

Budget? Can't go wrong with a GTX 660 but if you're on a budget and want decent performance the Radeon 7850 is still a good buy.

This is a nice board but it is 189.99 : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131736

ASRock 990FX Extreme9 - 159.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157358

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 - 149.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514

[NotChetHanks]

Budget? Can't go wrong with a GTX 660 but if you're on a budget and want decent performance the Radeon 7850 is still a good buy.

This is a nice board but it is 189.99 : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131736

ASRock 990FX Extreme9 - 159.99

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157358

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 - 149.99

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128514

Don't really have a budget. I want to spend as least as possible without making the computer look and feel like a car that has a Honda Accord body but a Ferrari engine. If my CPU is amazing but the components are trash, that would suck. So just suggestions I guess and your suggestions look great! I appreciate you taking the time out.

Edit: I want to spend as least as possible but if something makes sense and it costs $50 more than what I want to spend I'm not gonna cry.

[Nothing Here]

I know that 90% of people prefer intel. I'm one of the 10% who prefers AMD. Why? The Dollar Bill. I'm not rich, so I get the best bang for my buck and go AMD. If I actually had the cash, I would still probably stick with AMD. Although, lately, I've been thinkin maybe the grass is greener on the other side.

[abysal]

That's not a bad CPU. Unless you want a CPU that will perform certain functions faster (usually only seconds faster), then go with an i5 or i7. And if gaming, AMD CPUs and Intel CPUs are about equal in most games + or - a few frames here or there. Only thing I don't like about these AMD FX chips, is that their single threaded performance is worse then the previous generation of AMD Phenom II chips, but they make up for it with higher clock speeds.

[Luc2k]

Right but saying it's a dead end somewhat implies it's also a poor buy.

It is a poor buy if you intend to upgrade to Haswell and beyond because you have to get a new motherboard. If you're staying with 1155 until GPUs can take advantage of PCIe 3 and DDR4 becomes available and affordable then this is not an issue obviously.

Soooooo would any of you awesome folks be willing to post a good video card, mobo combo for the FX 8320? :D

Just remember how much I love and appreciate you all!

Like DM said, the 7850 is a pretty good budget card that handles any modern game. Might be worth getting the 2GB version for video editing, I'm not sure. Someone with more experience with this might help here. What resolution does your monitor have btw?

As for mobo I'd go with something with the 970 chipset like MSI 970A-G46 (all manufactures have boards with equivalent specs if MSI is not your choice). Although that board comes with a 8GB memory module, it is a bit slow and you should sell it if you get it. Go with a 4GBx2 DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 kit and 1.5v or lower. I found this funny thing while browsing Newegg.

[abysal]

What are you planning on using the PC for? I'm assuming gaming? If so you can't go wrong with what DigitalManifestations suggested.

[NotChetHanks]

It is a poor buy if you intend to upgrade to Haswell and beyond because you have to get a new motherboard. If you're staying with 1155 until GPUs can take advantage of PCIe 3 and DDR4 becomes available and affordable then this is not an issue obviously.

Like DM said, the 7850 is a pretty good budget card that handles any modern game. Might be worth getting the 2GB version for video editing, I'm not sure. Someone with more experience with this might help here. What resolution does your monitor have btw?

As for mobo I'd go with something with the 970 chipset like MSI 970A-G46 (all manufactures have boards with equivalent specs if MSI is not your choice). Although that board comes with a 8GB memory module, it is a bit slow and you should sell it if you get it. Go with a 4GBx2 DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 kit and 1.5v or lower. I found this funny thing while browsing Newegg.

My monitor has a resolution of 1920x1080. It's a Viewsonic LED. I've bookmarked everything youve suggested and I should be making the purchase today or tomorrow.

[Luc2k]

My monitor has a resolution of 1920x1080. It's a Viewsonic LED. I've bookmarked everything youve suggested and I should be making the purchase today or tomorrow.

Haha, tried to narrow down a specific model for the 7850 from Newegg, but I can't make up my mind. You have the cheap option with the 1GB HIS or XFX cards, then there's the twin cooler 2GB cards, but they get awfully close to the 7870. And you guys also have the whole rebate thing.

Anyway, I guess you have more shops that you're looking at which might change the whole GPU situation. Whatever the case, try and find comprehensive reviews of the cards if you can before deciding on one. That being said, best of luck.