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Thread ID: 138251	2014-10-29 10:23:00	AMD FX 6300 or FX 8350?	Filthygamer (16897)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1387089	2014-10-29 10:23:00	I've been tinkering around with parts lists, and I've got a kerfuffle... Do I overclock the AMD FX 6300 (which would mean getting an aftermarket cooler too) and save ~$60, or do I save up for the FX 8350? Details below: AC Unity specs were recently announced, with a minimum CPU requirement being the AMD FX 8350. Since I'm on a tight-ish budget, would I be better off getting a FX 6300 and an aftermarket cooler and overclocking it to save myself ~$60? nz.pcpartpicker.com According to *the internet* I could achieve the same clock speeds by overclocking the FX 6300, which in theory should run AC Unity fine. Or is there some other magic in the FX 8350 that I'd be better off saving up the little bit extra for? Also, how do you think this build will hold up for all these big *shiny graphics* games coming out like The Witcher 3, Far Cry 4, GTA V etc, will it last me at least until the end of next year? I'm pretty sure it'll run Kerbal Space Program, Prison Architect and Goat Simulator fine , it's the big *shiny graphics* games I'm worried about! Thanks!	Filthygamer (16897)
1387090	2014-10-29 18:59:00	This page www.game-debate.com seems to think it'll play. Personally I would not build an AMD system for gaming, if you prefer them that's up to you but intel have dominated gaming performance since the first core series CPU's came out. They do cost a bit more though. Generally I'd recommend a faster CPU over an aftermarket cooler and overclocking myself, to get the "free" performance boost you end up spending money on better motherboards and coolers. Cheap motherboards tend not to overclock as well. My 2c - get an i5, maybe shop around for some 2nd hand parts for your budget. The AMD cards have been around cheap since litecoin mining collapsed, I myself have a r9 290 I got for around $300.	dugimodo (138)
1387091	2014-10-29 19:13:00	nz.pcpartpicker.com almost the same price	dugimodo (138)
1387092	2014-10-29 21:12:00	nz.pcpartpicker.com almost the same price Thanks that's a great suggestion, looking online it might be easier to upgrade if I go the Intel way now. Any other thoughts on this build? Does the motherboard support USB 3.0? Not a necessity but would be nice. Sorry if it's a noob-ish question this is the first time I've done anything like this.... Yep the r9 290 is cheap I bought one for around $300 too!	Filthygamer (16897)
1387093	2014-10-29 22:15:00	Look on the Asrock site www.asrock.com Its got 2 USB 3 at the back and a header Only prob is hopefully the mobo has BIOS 1.60 on it when you get it. Otherwise it may not turn on or post. This is the BIOS it needs to support that CPU 1150 Core i5 i5-4460 (C0) Haswell-R 3.2GHz 6MB 84W P1.60	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1387094	2014-10-29 22:56:00	Look on the Asrock site www.asrock.com Its got 2 USB 3 at the back and a header Only prob is hopefully the mobo has BIOS 1.60 on it when you get it. Otherwise it may not turn on or post. This is the BIOS it needs to support that CPU 1150 Core i5 i5-4460 (C0) Haswell-R 3.2GHz 6MB 84W P1.60 What do you mean by "or post"? How do I update the BIOS without an OS or anything on it prior to it working (i.e. if it doesn't turn on how do I make it turn on!?) Thanks! This forum is awesome!	Filthygamer (16897)
1387095	2014-10-29 23:29:00	There was a cheaper motherboard on the list, I picked than one specifically for the USB 3.0 header after your other thread. Didn't think about BIOS versions, good catch Speedy. POST = power on self test - the bit where the MB beeps and puts up a BIOS screen. The safest option is to get the MB & CPU from the same supplier and have them confirm compatibility before shipping. Might be a small cost involved. Any Haswell i5 will be similar in performance, I just tried to pick one at a good price but you aren't stuck with that particular CPU. Avoid the K series ones unless you want to spend more on a motherboard that supports overclocking. Officially the H81 chipset doesn't although Asrock have enabled it on some boards that aren't supposed to in the past so I couldn't say for certain. I've never used that part picker before, didn't notice I picked a single RAM chip either - prob better to go for 2 x 4 to get dual channel working. Myself I generally buy from Computerlounge, paradigm PC's, or PBtech. The frst two because they are online stores with good pricing I've had positive experiences with and PBtech because it's the only decent store with a local branch that I can walk into - so much easier at times. BIOS versions can be a gamble. Sometimes the only way to update is to install a compatible CPU to allow it to run the update. Sometimes a "unsupported" CPU will still work well enough to start up but will just not be detected correctly for clock settings etc. It's much easier to get the supplier to worry about that part even if they charge you for it. I've always rolled the dice and just bought stuff myself, been lucky so far that it's all worked.	dugimodo (138)
1387096	2014-10-29 23:52:00	If the right BIOS isnt on the mobo (when you buy it) for whatever CPU, it means no matter what you try its not going to turn on. ie: You cant use it. Until you update the BIOS. If it doesnt turn on, you've got 1 of 2 choices 1. If you buy it in NZ ask the shop to flash the BIOS for you before they send it 2. You'll have to buy a lower spec CPU that the BIOS on the mobo supports then do it A CPU can be compatible with the mobo, BUT that doesnt means it'll work out of the box. Until you update the BIOS. So it'll support the CPU Its a bit trickier if the CPU youre buying, is a Haswel refresh CPU (just because its new and fast).What people dont realise is, that these are recent CPU's and the mobo maybe over 6 mths + when you buy it. Just because its new in a shop, doesnt mean its a few days old	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1387097	2014-10-29 23:53:00	There was a cheaper motherboard on the list, I picked than one specifically for the USB 3.0 header after your other thread. Didn't think about BIOS versions, good catch Speedy. POST = power on self test - the bit where the MB beeps and puts up a BIOS screen. The safest option is to get the MB & CPU from the same supplier and have them confirm compatibility before shipping. Might be a small cost involved. Any Haswell i5 will be similar in performance, I just tried to pick one at a good price but you aren't stuck with that particular CPU. Avoid the K series ones unless you want to spend more on a motherboard that supports overclocking. Officially the H81 chipset doesn't although Asrock have enabled it on some boards that aren't supposed to in the past so I couldn't say for certain. I've never used that part picker before, didn't notice I picked a single RAM chip either - prob better to go for 2 x 4 to get dual channel working. Myself I generally buy from Computerlounge, paradigm PC's, or PBtech. The frst two because they are online stores with good pricing I've had positive experiences with and PBtech because it's the only decent store with a local branch that I can walk into - so much easier at times. BIOS versions can be a gamble. Sometimes the only way to update is to install a compatible CPU to allow it to run the update. Sometimes a "unsupported" CPU will still work well enough to start up but will just not be detected correctly for clock settings etc. It's much easier to get the supplier to worry about that part even if they charge you for it. I've always rolled the dice and just bought stuff myself, been lucky so far that it's all worked. Oh ok thanks love USB 3.0! :D. The i5 4460 looks to be the best option in this budget so I think I'll go with that. I think I'll get the CPU and mobo through Mighty Ape, cheap shipping and I've used them before. I'll ask them to check compatibility too. Yup, already switched out the RAM for two 4gb chips. Only prob with PBTech is their shipping cost to Palmerston North! Thanks for your help, it's great.	Filthygamer (16897)
1387098	2014-10-29 23:54:00	Cool thanks Speedy, didn't think of asking the shop to flash it first.	Filthygamer (16897)
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