CPU GPU Bottleneck?

[wyatt1121]

I have an AMD FX 4100 CPU and a Radeon 7850 GPU. They don't bottleneck now but I may upgrade my CPU to an AMD FX 8350 for Far Cry 4 and other games to run smoother. However, I don't want to pay that much money on a better CPU only to have it bottleneck with my GPU. Any opinions if I will be okay to upgrade or other opinions on what to do. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

I have an AMD FX 4100 CPU and a Radeon 7850 GPU. They don't bottleneck now but I may upgrade my CPU to an AMD FX 8350 for Far Cry 4 and other games to run smoother. However, I don't want to pay that much money on a better CPU only to have it bottleneck with my GPU. Any opinions if I will be okay to upgrade or other opinions on what to do. 

In regards to gaming the FX-8350 is only a slight upgrade to the FX-4100 for the most part...which AM3+ board do you have cause it's very likely that it would be inadequate for such a CPU.

And the FX 8 core overclocked still bottleneck higher end GPU's in many games...it's not a very good gaming CPU for the price...i'd suggest you sell your AMD kit and get a core i3 or a locked core i5 and a cheap H81 or H97 chipset motherboard instead.

(BTW i'm just brutaly honest here i owned an FX-8320 @ 4.6ghz i know how it plays games...)

Maybe if your motherboard is a good one and you can get your hands on an FX-8320 that you could overclock (CPU cooler needed) it might be a worthy upgrade.

[TheKDub]

Don't worry about your GPU being a bottleneck, its best to have a CPU that is powerful enough that it does not bottleneck anything, though in ideal conditions everything should be about equal so there are no "bottlenecks"

 

 

I'd suggest switching to an intel i5 eventually, right now there are only maybe 2-5 games that use more than 4 cores, and all games in general will benefit from faster cores which intel has, while AMD has more slower cores.

[OnekillWalter]

budget?

 

maybe go with fx-63XX and r9 270x 4gb.

 

or all-in with a fx-8350 and a gtx 970.

[i_build_nanosuits]

budget?

 

maybe go with fx-63XX and r9 270x 4gb.

 

or all-in with a fx-8350 and a gtx 970.

maybe go with fx-63XX and r9 270x 4gb. :

this will play games pretty much the same as what he already use, a 7850 is basicaly an R9 270...and the FX6300 only offers slightly better performance in games

 

or all-in with a fx-8350 and a gtx 970. :

That CPU will limit the performance of such a GPU in most games.

[Johannes_Lazor]

upgrade, the bottleneck depends on the settings.

When you have upgraded to the 8350 the next upgrade should be a 970 or r9 290 according to me.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Don't worry about the "GPU bottlenecking the CPU", its best if it is like that rather than the CPU bottlenecking the GPU.

 

I'd suggest switching to an intel i5, right now there are only maybe 2-5 games that use more than 4 cores, and all games in general will benefit from faster cores which intel has, while AMD has more slower cores.

 

upgrade, the bottleneck depends on the settings.

When you have upgraded to the 8350 the next upgrade should be a 970 or r9 290 according to me.

You guys won't even know what motherboard the user is using...only 990FX boards and a handful of 970 chipset motherboards can actually support a CPU such as the FX-8350...chances are he run a cheap 760 chipset board that will burst within minutes.

[wyatt1121]

You guys won't even know what motherboard the user is using...only 990FX boards and a handful of 970 chipset motherboards can actually support a CPU such as the FX-8350...chances are he run a cheap 760 chipset board that will burst within minutes.

I researched it and the FX 4100 and the FX 8350 use the same chipset so they are all compatible with each other. If it helps any this is the motherboard I am using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305

[i_build_nanosuits]

I researched it and the FX 4100 and the FX 8350 use the same chipset so they are all compatible with each other. If it helps any this is the motherboard I am using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305

it's not only about socket and chipset with AMD...it's about powerphases and VRMs quality...those CPU's require a lot of power to run properly and you need a descent board for them in that regards...the board you have is only a 4+2 phase board with cheap chineese mosfets, different VRM design from the higher quality 970 Extreme3 and others. 3 transistor VRM setup. No cooling. and the VRM's on it are not heatsinked what so ever...i would not attempt to run a FX 8 core on this 24/7 for sure...maybe a 6300 at stock, not much more than that.

[wyatt1121]

In regards to gaming the FX-8350 is only a slight upgrade to the FX-4100 for the most part...which AM3+ board do you have cause it's very likely that it would be inadequate for such a CPU.

And the FX 8 core overclocked still bottleneck higher end GPU's in many games...it's not a very good gaming CPU for the price...i'd suggest you sell your AMD kit and get a core i3 or a locked core i5 and a cheap H81 or H97 chipset motherboard instead.

(BTW i'm just brutaly honest here i owned an FX-8320 @ 4.6ghz i know how it plays games...)

Maybe if your motherboard is a good one and you can get your hands on an FX-8320 that you could overclock (CPU cooler needed) it might be a worthy upgrade.

It's not really in my budget now to start over now with a new build. And honestly I'm not very knowledgeable with Intel CPUs so what is a good CPU to shoot for that is good to play games at about high settings 60 FPS, is somewhat future proof, and won't break the bank. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

It's not really in my budget now to start over now with a new build. And honestly I'm not very knowledgeable with Intel CPUs so what is a good CPU to shoot for that is good to play games at about high settings 60 FPS, is somewhat future proof, and won't break the bank.

i would say your best bet would be to get an FX-6300 and overclocking it without a major increase in voltages...basicaly see how high you can go at stock voltages on it and leave it there...you should be okay with the stock AMD CPU heatsink if your case has proper ventilation...do you have an aftermarket CPU cooler? if not i'd still suggest a cooler master hyper 212 for more quiet operation and better temps.

The FX-6300 will offer you about a 12 to 15% better IPC and an extra module...it's better at running modern games for sure and should offer you acceptable performance for a low cost.

It's defenetly more ''future-proof'' if you think that way than your 2 module bulldozer FX-4100

If you go with AMD you might require a bios update on the board prior to using the FX-6300 i'm not sure so if you go with that maybe update the bios first before you get rid of the 4100.

[wyatt1121]

it's not only about socket and chipset with AMD...it's about powerphases and VRMs quality...those CPU's require a lot of power to run properly and you need a descent board for them in that regards...the board you have is only a 4+2 phase board with cheap chineese mosfets, different VRM design from the higher quality 970 Extreme3 and others. 3 transistor VRM setup. No cooling. and the VRM's on it are not heatsinked what so ever...i would not attempt to run a FX 8 core on this 24/7 for sure...maybe a 6300 at stock, not much more than that.

Would it be better to get a better motherboard and a new CPU that AMD or make the switch to Intel. If I switch i would only have to get a new mobo and CPU correct? And what are some good options for upgrading for both AMD and Intel. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

Would it be better to get a better motherboard and a new CPU that AMD or make the switch to Intel. If I switch i would only have to get a new mobo and CPU correct? And what are some good options for upgrading for both AMD and Intel.

no worthy upgrade on AMD's side, as i mentionned the FX-6300 would be the only worthy upgrade BECAUSE you can run this chip on your current motherboard and it's slightly better than what you have...but if you are to buy a new motherboard anyways then AMD is out they have nothing that is really noticeably better than the 4100 other than that.

intel would be this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $149.98

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-19 10:16 EST-0500

If you have some more to spend i'd suggest this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $219.98

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-19 10:17 EST-0500

If you go with AMD you might require a bios update on the board prior to using the FX-6300 i'm not sure so if you go with that maybe update the bios first before you get rid of the 4100.

[wyatt1121]

i would say your best bet would be to get an FX-6300 and overclocking it without a major increase in voltages...basicaly see how high you can go at stock voltages on it and leave it there...you should be okay with the stock AMD CPU heatsink if your case has proper ventilation...do you have an aftermarket CPU cooler? if not i'd still suggest a cooler master hyper 212 for more quiet operation and better temps.

The FX-6300 will offer you about a 12 to 15% better IPC and an extra module...it's better at running modern games for sure and should offer you acceptable performance for a low cost.

It's defenetly more ''future-proof'' if you think that way than your 2 module bulldozer FX-4100

If you go with AMD you might require a bios update on the board prior to using the FX-6300 i'm not sure so if you go with that maybe update the bios first before you get rid of the 4100.

It doesn't like a 6300 would be a big improvement. I'd like to get something that will play games at medium-high settings around 50-60 FPS for a few years. But I don't want to buy something awesome that my motherboard can't handle. I'd like to make this upgrade and not have to upgrade for awhile making my next upgrade a new GPU. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

It doesn't like a 6300 would be a big improvement. I'd like to get something that will play games at medium-high settings around 50-60 FPS for a few years. But I don't want to buy something awesome that my motherboard can't handle. I'd like to make this upgrade and not have to upgrade for awhile making my next upgrade a new GPU.

i understand, what games you play the most/are you looking to play in the future...are you into MMO's and RTS or more into like console ports and online shooters? this would tell me wich way you should go believe it or not.

Your motherboard can handle an FX-6300 which is noticeably better than the FX4100 in games...especialy in modern games. If you play mostly modern games and console ports and you can find an FX-6300 at say around 100$ and get like 30$ for your FX4100 than this becomes a worthy upgrade IMHO.

If you play mmo's and RTS (planetside 2, guild wars...WOW etc.) then the switch to an intel i3 would give you much better results as those games usualy rely on 2 strong cores for processing.

The core i3 is slightly superior to the FX-6300 in the vast mojority of games overall.

[wyatt1121]

The games I play most are BF4, COD, Need for Speed:Most Wanted 2010, Far Cry 4. Some planetside 2 but not very much. I am more into FPS for the most part. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

The games I play most are BF4, COD, Need for Speed:Most Wanted 2010, Far Cry 4. Some planetside 2 but not very much. I am more into FPS for the most part.

then it's very likely that you'd be happy with the FX-6300...this CPU will handle GPU's up to the GTX 770 or radeon R9 280X in such games at 1080p without limiting the GPU's performance too much.

if you want piece of mind and can afford it, the core i5 kit i linked would handle easily up to the GTX 970 no problem in any games.

How much would an FX-6300 or FX-6350 would cost you and do you think you can sell your current chip online or to a friend or something (it's worth only about 30$ tops but still...)

[wyatt1121]

then it's very likely that you'd be happy with the FX-6300...this CPU will handle GPU's up to the GTX 770 or radeon R9 280X in such games at 1080p without limiting the GPU's performance too much.

if you want piece of mind and can afford it, the core i5 kit i linked would handle easily up to the GTX 970 no problem in any games.

How much would an FX-6300 or FX-6350 would cost you and do you think you can sell your current chip online or to a friend or something (it's worth only about 30$ tops but still...)

Here's the 6300http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286 and here's the 6350 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113327. I honestly doubt I will be able to sell the 4100. Most people won't want it. I built my PC a year ago and I'm already ditching it. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

Here's the 6300http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286 and here's the 6350 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113327. I honestly doubt I will be able to sell the 4100. Most people won't want it. I built my PC a year ago and I'm already ditching it.

...and chances are you'll do the same next year if you go with the FX-6300...i would suggest to save some more and get a locked core i5 with a cheap H81 or H97 motherboard...this will perform well in games for a while.

Also that way you would be able to sell the CPU along with the motherboard it's an easier sell and would make a good home office working/ web browsing machine or an HTPC...40$ for both on kijiji would defenetly sell quickly i'm sure.

[wyatt1121]

...and chances are you'll do the same next year if you go with the FX-6300...i would suggest to save some more and get a locked core i5 with a cheap H81 or H97 motherboard...this will perform well in games for a while.

Also that way you would be able to sell the CPU along with the motherboard it's an easier sell and would make a good home office working/ web browsing machine or an HTPC...40$ for both on kijiji would defenetly sell quickly i'm sure.

Okay. I'm definitely looking at upgrading this year good enough that I won't have to upgrade for several years. Is the LGA 1150 a new Intel Socket? It would be great that when my CPU becomes underpowered again that I won't have to go motherboard shopping again. Also with the new CPU will I have any problems running a Radeon 7850 GPU?

[wyatt1121]

Also that Intel motherboard won't work. I need one with 4 RAM slots. I have four 2GB sticks. And i would like one with a USB 3 header. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

Okay. I'm definitely looking at upgrading this year good enough that I won't have to upgrade for several years. Is the LGA 1150 a new Intel Socket? It would be great that when my CPU becomes underpowered again that I won't have to go motherboard shopping again. Also with the new CPU will I have any problems running a Radeon 7850 GPU?

 

Also that Intel motherboard won't work. I need one with 4 RAM slots. I have four 2GB sticks. And i would like one with a USB 3 header.

socket 1150 is the current and most up to date mainstream socket from intel, H97 and Z97 are the latest chipset and they will support upcoming broadwell CPU's via a BIOS update, so if you go with an H97 motherboard and a locked core i5 you would be able to upgrade to a broadwell core i7 in the future for example...you do have an upgrade path.

H97 chipset motherboards are a little more expensive than H81 but they are better they have more sata and usb3 ports and also some of them comes with 4 dimm slots for your RAM.

This would be a good board choice IMHO:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157512&cm_re=h97-_-13-157-512-_-Product

[wyatt1121]

 

socket 1150 is the current and most up to date mainstream socket from intel, H97 and Z97 are the latest chipset and they will support upcoming broadwell CPU's via a BIOS update, so if you go with an H97 motherboard and a locked core i5 you would be able to upgrade to a broadwell core i7 in the future for example...you do have an upgrade path.

H97 chipset motherboards are a little more expensive than H81 but they are better they have more sata and usb3 ports and also some of them comes with 4 dimm slots for your RAM.

This would be a good board choice IMHO:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157512&cm_re=h97-_-13-157-512-_-Product

So does this look like a good motherboard to go with that CPU? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157547. And will my CPU be held back because I only have a 7850 GPU?

[wyatt1121]

Or these two. The one I saw earlier was a mATX. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157387   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157564

[i_build_nanosuits]

So does this look like a good motherboard to go with that CPU? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157547. And will my CPU be held back because I only have a 7850 GPU?

This is an okay board to use for sure but the PRO4 that i've linked offers quite a bit more connectivity (more fan headers for example) for only about 5$ more making it a better choice.

 

Or these two. The one I saw earlier was a mATX. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157387   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157564

As far as i know B85 chipset motherboards are not going to support broadwell CPU's so you have much less of an upgrade path.. go H97.

Also yes a core i5 haswell CPU is overpowered for an HD7850 GPU but it's what you want...that way you can upgrade the GPU in the future..you always want your CPU to be good enough for the GPU you are using otherwise the CPU will limit the performance and you'll not get all the performance from your GPU...a better CPU allow for more GPU upgrades down the road...it's always good to go with a better CPU.