AMD Alphabet Soup

S

Sob Rogue

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
165
My motherboard has kicked the bucked at the worst time possible. I was hoping to hold out, in this awkward transition to the long anticipated DDR4. Instead, I think I’ll capitalize and try to turn this bad timing into an opportunity. I have really only ever used Intel chips, and never even considered AMD, but given the situation I think this is a perfect chance to finally get my feet wet. Unfortunately I find myself needing a bit of a handicap as I’m somewhat illiterate in the alphabet soup of AMD product lines. :confused:

I’ve done a little digging but, like most big companies, I find their official website rather useless and convoluted. It has great specs/data for each product but no real overview or legend. Other independent discussions have good detailed information, but only put it into perspective relative to analogous things. (Not to mention the constant intel vs. amd hostilities that you need to weed through…)

I’m looking for a 30,000ft overview of the processor lines. I think this sort of map would benefit everyone, and serve as a valuable resource.

Sorry for the long response -I appreciate your patience,
Rogue
 
Maybe it would be easier (at least for us) if you explained:

1. What you are upgrading from
2. What you want to pay
3. Do you want a desktop or laptop
4. Do you require an external GPU or will an integrated one work.
5. What will you be using the machine for

Then we can discuss the options and how they compare to Intel.
 
drescherjm said:
Maybe it would be easier (at least for us) if you explained:

1. What you are upgrading from
2. What you want to pay
3. Do you want a desktop or laptop
4. Do you require an external GPU or will an integrated one work.
5. What will you be using the machine for

Then we can discuss the options and how they compare to Intel.
Click to expand...

I’m not really looking for a ready aim fire solution, but will entertain it if it helps. I’d prefer a road map, to understand what there is. I've been out of the scene for 5-6 years, so I’m looking to orient myself as well as experiment with the other side. For instance, I see A-series, FX, Athlon, Phenom, what does this mean?

As for your request:
1) Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 (I think)
2) Somewhere around $300-350 would probably be the breaking point.
3) Desktop-I’m keeping what I have just replacing mobo/CPU as Band-Aid until ddr4
4) Dedicated GPU I have Radean 5XXX(something), as well as GTX 6XX(something) [Incase it matters]
5) Everything –Games, I do use AutoCad, Photoshop, etc. [I do leave stuff open though, and have tons a stuff up at a time)
Thanks!
 
Generally there are two processor lines you can upgrade to. The CPU lineup consisting of fx based bulldozer and piledriver CPUs. Bulldozer being the first iteration, and piledriver the latest. The processors generally consist of 4,6,and 8 core configurations. Each 2 core is a "module" where 2 core share cache.
This line starts at 4 core units or fx-4xxx, in the middle are the 6 core or fx-6xxx, and top of the line will be 8 core or fx-8xxx.

The other option is Amd's APU lineup which consists of 4 bulldozer or piledriver cores married to a graphics core. The earlier models will be code name trinity, and the later models Richland. For performance reasons we will ignore trinity and focus on Richland. For you there would be no point considering any other APU other than A10-6800k considering your budget.

For you, if you wanted to get your feet wet, I would pickup an fx 8350 or fx 6300 and a real nice board, as you will be using discrete graphics, and won't benefit from the APU lineup.
 
And for AMD graphics, the 9000's series graphics should be released sometime next month so I would hold off on any video card. Then the prices of the 7970's should drop or you can get one of the 9000 series.
 
fixedmy7970 said:
And for AMD graphics, the 9000's series graphics should be released sometime next month so I would hold off on any video card. Then the prices of the 7970's should drop or you can get one of the 9000 series.
Click to expand...

At his budget I doubt that the video card will be replaced for a card that costs more than $100.
 
Last edited:
drescherjm said:
At his budget I doubt that the video card will be changed for a card that costs more than $100.
Click to expand...

I was not really considering a graphics card anyway, the two I have now are meeting my needs. To clarify the budget I proposed is solely on CPU. I anticipate another $150-200 for the mobo.
 
If you are looking at that budget for a CPU consider the fx 8350 + 8GB of 1.5V DDR3 1600 or DDR3 1866.
 
My wife's 8350 runs ddr3 2133 by enabling XMP
Profile and never looking back
 
drescherjm said:
If you are looking at that budget for a CPU consider the fx 8350 + 8GB of 1.5V DDR3 1600 or DDR3 1866.
Click to expand...

I have 32gb of DDR3 1600 right now that shouldn't be an issue, but I just took a look at uATX boards, and there is almost nothing that even supports DDR3 1600. Am I looking in the wrong spot?
 
You must be looking at the wrong spot. AM3+ boards with recent chipsets should all support DDR3 1600.

uATX may be a problem for 125W+ CPU support.
 
Last edited:
drescherjm said:
You must be looking at the wrong spot. AM3+ boards should all support DDR3 1600.
Click to expand...

I found these, but they all look outdated from the looks of the price? It looks like FX990 chips are recommended with the FX chips suggested, and no uATX has this chip?
 
Is there a form-factor limitation we need to know about? like must be uATX or mATX?

Microcenter has an FX-6300+Asus m5a97 bundle for 179$. 6 cores @ 3.5ghz, multiplier unlocked, USB 3.0, handles 32gb ram up to 2133mhz, and the mobo has heatsinked VRM's if you want to do some overclocking (although it's not an "enthusiast" board). I'm running a 960T Phenom on that same board and am very happy with it.

MC also has the same board + FX8350 processor (8 cores @ 4ghz) for like 239$.
 
Notorius said:
Is there a form-factor limitation we need to know about? like must be uATX or mATX?

Microcenter has an FX-6300+Asus m5a97 bundle for 179$. 6 cores @ 3.5ghz, multiplier unlocked, USB 3.0, handles 32gb ram up to 2133mhz, and the mobo has heatsinked VRM's if you want to do some overclocking (although it's not an "enthusiast" board). I'm running a 960T Phenom on that same board and am very happy with it.

MC also has the same board + FX8350 processor (8 cores @ 4ghz) for like 239$.
Click to expand...

Aren't uATX and mATX the same? Anyway the current case I had is a micro-atx, and I'm just surprised at the limitations of the AM3+ options. All the higherend models are form factor atx only. I would definitely opt for the better model, a new case is minor nascence I guess.
 
Bang for the buck on the amd side is the 6 cores, the fx6300 is 110 dollars and would be a noticeable upgrade from a core2 quad.
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FD6300WMH...e=UTF8&qid=1375467579&sr=8-1&keywords=fx+6300


With the money you are saving on the processor I would spend it on a quality motherboard, it's unfortunate that on the AMD side of things there are no real options for micro atx boards with the newest chipsets.

Just find one with 8+2 power. I would spend in the 120-140 dollar range on the mobo.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
If your budget for CPU is 350, get an fx-9370 and brag it up. Should be able to get a real nice amd board for 150, remember amd boards are inherently cheaper than intels so you can get a better board for cheaper.
 
Sheppard said:
If your budget for CPU is 350, get an fx-9370 and brag it up. Should be able to get a real nice amd board for 150, remember amd boards are inherently cheaper than intels so you can get a better board for cheaper.
Click to expand...

I have my doubts on running a 200W+ processor in a mATX system.
 
stealthy123 said:
Bang for the buck on the amd side is the 6 cores, the fx6300 is 110 dollars and would be a noticeable upgrade from a core2 quad.
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FD6300WMH...e=UTF8&qid=1375467579&sr=8-1&keywords=fx+6300


With the money you are saving on the processor I would spend it on a quality motherboard, it's unfortunate that on the AMD side of things there are no real options for micro atx boards with the newest chipsets.

Just find one with 8+2 power. I would spend in the 120-140 dollar range on the mobo.
Click to expand...

Agreed, the 63xx series is a good mix of performance and budget saving.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I really like the FX6300 for value. i got one with a motherboard for $127 after $10 rebate. Since your budget is so much higher, id go for an 8350 with a MSI 990fx-gd65 v2 for value. (most any 990FX board should be good, the favorites being asus sabertooth, crosshair, gigabyte UD7) I was able to get my FX8320 4.9ghz on the MSI 990FX-GD65 v2, but i ran it 24x7 at 4.6ghz
 
8320 +ud3 mobo you cant go wrong with that combo hell get his 8 cores for multi tasking plus the power he wants for gaming :D
 
Sob Rogue said:
Aren't uATX and mATX the same? Anyway the current case I had is a micro-atx, and I'm just surprised at the limitations of the AM3+ options. All the higherend models are form factor atx only. I would definitely opt for the better model, a new case is minor nascence I guess.
Click to expand...

one is micro-atx and one is mini-atx. i've never had either, but they're different somehow in size.

yeah, for decent MOBO's there's absolute crap for choice outside of standard ATX. I would have loved to get an AMD model of the Asus GENE boards but they dont exist :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top