PC Re-vamp? (Need Ideas and Suggestions)

So my computer is a little over a year old, and as you can see below (in my tag), its not the most powerful PC in the world. It plays most games on Ultra/High, but I haven't really upgraded anything in it since it was built. And I would like to use my tax returns on a re-vamp.

I was thinking for my CPU getting an 8 core AMD processor. My MOBO can support AM3+ processors with a maximum wattage of 125W. So an 8 core would fit fine and would cost me less. Probably only around $270 if I get water cooling.

-OR-

I could go to Intel and get a nice i5 with a new mother board, but that would probably cost somewhere around $300+. But then I would be stuck with a GPU that is AMD and not Intel. And If I do go with i5+New MoBo, what should I get?

I have no cons about AMD. This processor and MoBo hasn't let me down yet. Actually, nothing on my computer has let me down. I do know that Intel can be more powerful depending on what you get. But it gets really Pricey.

Any suggestions for a guy who doesn't want to blow all of his tax returns???

 

And how is that an issue?

Modern GPU's connect via PCIe x16 regardless of it being AMD or NVidia, they are not processor dependent, they aren't even architecture dependent (NVidia demoed a GTX560 connected to the ARM based tegra 3 once to demonstrate full PCI support on ARM).

The old NVidia not working with AMD processors thing is a myth, as is AMD and intel incompatibility (GPU wise).

 

Just to prove this point even more; when i had a AMD 8-core, i got the same FPS playing GTAIV as i do now with the I7. Having two different brands does in no way bottle-neck any components in your PC. (As a vague comparison from my old and new rig with the same card).

 

Well it's been a while since I did stuff with computers so I kind of forgot. I remembered that they work fine with Intel Processors, It's that I couldn't remember if you had and Intel card with an Intel processor, if it would work better. I think I will go with the AMD FX-8350. Also, I am looking to get a new case. As of now I have the HAF 912 which is really old. Looking for something that has a bottom mount PSU, good with cord management, and has room for a dual radiator water cooling system. I'm about to go look on newegg. But If anybody has some suggestions, let me know! [h=1][/h]

 

If all you do with your PC is play BeamNG, get the Intel set. If you do anything else at all, get the AMD FX chip.

EDIT: How do the AMD quad core FX chips fare in games today? My friend is doing a budget build, and was considering an FX 4130 paired with an R9 270.

 

Yeah the FX-8350 is quite good actually if your motherboard can take it, and would mean you only have to buy one component. Your GPU is quite good too so with a nice cpu everything should go along nicely i reckon. You would have to upgrade again in the end of course but i would have thought it should do well for the moment.

Oh there is the fx-9xxx series too, i've not read about their compatibility though.

 

I don't just play BeamNG. I use my PC for all my gaming needs. Also, with the current setup I have now, I get really good FPS with most games. I can play most games at their highest settings. I can play BF3 at Ultra no problem. So it is a good build indeed! I just want a more powerful processor.

 

Simple answer to this one, intel don't design their own GPU's with the exception of the HD3000/4000/5000 and iris integrated chipsets which universally suck for gaming. Their older integrated chipsets were not their own design and utilised a PowerVR graphics core.

I think the dedicated cards they sold were a similar deal to MSI and EVGA etc just being 3rd party manufacturers for AMD or NVidia designs.


Ultimately the graphics cards are only dependent on having a functioning driver on a CPU with PCI. The PCI interface on both AMD and intel chips is identical. There isn't actually anywhere to change an AMD vs intel driver to optimise for AMD or Nvidia GPU's. Infact AMD and Nvidia do just distribute drivers which don't even take any notice of whether its AMD, Intel or even a VIA CPU, as far as they are concerned it is 32 bit windows or 64 bit fedora or whatever.





Rig wise I would just upgrade the CPU rather than a full mobo swap.

 

I think AMD would be a good choice for both because torque uses 8 core , and its way better compared with the 3570k, that is $220, while the amd is $180, it also trades hits with the 3770k, which is $330.
Edit: here is a website to look at r9 270 benchmarks, or any benchmarks or comparisons. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1043?vs=1041 or http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/700?vs=697

 

The reason I said that he should go Intel is that, while Torque can use an 8-core CPU, the BeamNG devs have said that they are optimizing their physics for Intel CPUs. I believe estama even said that they had to throw out an improvement on AMD processors because it negatively affected Intel chips. I suggested he get the AMD for everything else because of the traits you mentioned.

 

A new i5 4670k+overclocking mobo is ~$230 at micro center.

 

You mean 330? the i5 in my microcenter is 220... And i dont think there are any quality z87 boards for 10 bucks...
or ANY 1150 boards for 10 bucks...

------Edit-------

Holy shit it is 230. To microcenter i go!!!