Which combo is faster?

[TheMechEngineer]

I needed some decent advice here, rather than the typical 'AMD is better' or 'Intel is better' type answers.

Neither am I looking for specific recommendations like 'get a better motherboard' or anything, because I'm going through a system-building store where there is limited choices for components. Not going through Newegg or any of that.

 

So I've been speccing up a new system for someone else for use as a general home computer, and here's the two CPU-motherboard-RAM combinations I've been looking at:

 

AMD SYSTEM

CPU = AMD FM2+ A10-7850K 4.0GHz quad core (AU$189)

Motherboard = ASUS A88XM-A FM2+ MicroATX (AU$99)

RAM = 8GB DDR2 G.Skill 2133MHz (AU$109)

TOTAL COST = AU$397

 

INTEL SYSTEM

CPU = Intel Core i3 4170 3.7GHz dual core (AU$169)

Motherboard = ASUS H81M-E (AU$74)

RAM = 8GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz (AU$75)

TOTAL COST = AU$318

 

BEFORE POSTING, keep this in mind:

Notice that the AMD system has a processor that supports 2133MHz speeds, the motherboard supports 2133MHz and the RAM is also running at 2133MHz.

Meanwhile, everything in the Intel system is running at 1600MHz.

Does this increased throughput in the AMD system produce any real-world performance benefits in terms of loading speeds etc?

[shypin]

intel cpus will always win when it comes to single thread performance

and both chips have the same number of threads so i think the i3 will perform better

 

memory speed doesnt really matter much tbh

[Interfectorem]

I would go with the Intel combo. It's plenty powerful for a general home PC and it's cheaper. Also, no, faster RAM frequency will not effect real world day-to-day performance such as loading times.

[Br3tt96]

Intel FTW, but if you don't get a gpu I'd go for the amd. The amd has way better graphics than the little i3.

[AresKrieger]

 

 

BEFORE POSTING, keep this in mind:

Notice that the AMD system has a processor that supports 2133MHz speeds, the motherboard supports 2133MHz and the RAM is also running at 2133MHz.

Meanwhile, everything in the Intel system is running at 1600MHz.

Does this increased throughput in the AMD system produce any real-world performance benefits in terms of loading speeds etc?

Ram speeds only matter for server applications they affect consumer performance less than 0.5% and that's being generous for non integrated graphics

which this is not

Edited September 15, 2015 by AresKrieger

[DarkBlade2117]

intel cpus will always win when it comes to single thread performance

and both chips have the same number of threads so i think the i3 will perform better

 

memory speed doesnt really matter much tbh

Memory speed does matter for APUs. They benefit quite a bit from it actually.

In all honesty if it's just like a youtube watching, daily googling, Email, facebook PC go for the i3, if ANY form of gaming like Minecrsft, LoL, WoW, Farming Simulator ect ect will be played on it go for the APU

[DarkBlade2117]

Ram speeds only matter for server applications they affect consumer performance less than 0.5% and that's being generous

As mentioned before. APUs benefit from higher ram speeds.

[Morgan MLGman]

Depends if you're going to use the intergated GPU. If you do, then the AMD APU is the way to go since it's just much, much better than 4th gen i3 iGPUs.

The i3 is faster though. Single-threaded wins heavily, the APU would be a bit faster in multi-threaded tasks after you overclock it cause you can do it on the contrary to the i3.

And yes, on the contrary what Intel guys above me believe, the RAM speeds actually benefit AMD CPUs, especialy the APU ones since it also boosts the iGPU performance significantly.
 

[TheMechEngineer]

Ram speeds only matter for server applications they affect consumer performance less than 0.5% and that's being generous

 

Even when the processor is running at 2133MHz as well?

[AresKrieger]

As mentioned before. APUs benefit from higher ram speeds.

Yeah I wouldn't think of that as I don't look at integrated performance as I hated it back in the day that being said I'll take note

[Morgan MLGman]

Even when the processor is running at 2133MHz as well?

In everyday usage you wouldn't notice much of a difference with an i3 between 1600mhz RAM and 2133mhz RAM, only in certain, specific tasks.

But with the APU build you would notice quite significant performance boost, especially if the 2133mhz RAM you get is with low timings such as CL9.

Keep in mind that the i3 wins with the stock 7850k in single-threaded performance by around 40% and is even in multi-threaded one. You can overclock it though, both the CPU and the iGPU part. After overclocking (4,5 ghz mark should be very easy to achieve with it) the single threaded performance might be around 30% in favor of the i3 and the multi-threaded around 10% in favor of the 7850k.

That being said, you'd be better off with getting the APU if you don't plan on using a dedicated GPU, this little thing can even run GTA V playably at around 30-45FPS. The i3 however would be a better choice for everyday's usage and gaming if you plan on using a more powerful GPU with it.

[TheMechEngineer]

Depends if you're going to use the intergated GPU. If you do, then the AMD APU is the way to go since it's just much, much better than 4th gen i3 iGPUs.

The i3 is faster though. Single-threaded wins heavily, the APU would be a bit faster in multi-threaded tasks after you overclock it cause you can do it on the contrary to the i3.

And yes, on the contrary what Intel guys above me believe, the RAM speeds actually benefit AMD CPUs, especialy the APU ones since it also boosts the iGPU performance significantly.

@AresKrieger Don't spread false information please.

 

Yeah I'll probably be using a standalone graphics card, probably just a GT730 with a passive heatsink.

I hate cheapo graphics cards like everyone else, but the 0dB stuff is best for an internet-browsing computer that doesn't require GPU horsepower.

[TheMechEngineer]

Ta for the help guys, I'll stick with the Intel system.

[DarkBlade2117]

Yeah I'll probably be using a standalone graphics card, probably just a GT730 with a passive heatsink.

I hate cheapo graphics cards like everyone else, but the 0dB stuff is best for an internet-browsing computer that doesn't require GPU horsepower.

The GPU wouldnt be needed if you went with the APU. If no heavy GPU task are gonna be done on it the APU seems to be a better choice. Unless of course youve already got this GT730 then get the i3.

[Morgan MLGman]

Yeah I'll probably be using a standalone graphics card, probably just a GT730 with a passive heatsink.

I hate cheapo graphics cards like everyone else, but the 0dB stuff is best for an internet-browsing computer that doesn't require GPU horsepower.

Actually the GT 730 might be slower than the iGPU that's inside the 7850k in games, you'd be better off with selling it and buying an appropriate Radeon GPU so it works in a "Dual-Graphics" mode along with the APU for best performance =)

[TheMechEngineer]

The GPU wouldnt be needed if you went with the APU. If no heavy GPU task are gonna be done on it the APU seems to be a better choice. Unless of course youve already got this GT730 then get the i3.

 

Yeah it is still an option. Might consider the AMD system with no graphics card.

I actually have already helped someone spec up a computer, and the specs are very similar to the Intel system I'm looking at now:

 

Core i3 4160 3.6GHz

Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3

8GB DDR3 Crucial

Nvidia GT730 2GB

128GB WD SSD

 

It's a pretty good system too, very inexpensive but very quick for everyday stuff.

[TheMechEngineer]

Actually the GT 730 might be slower than the iGPU that's inside the 7850k in games, you'd be better off with selling it and buying an appropriate Radeon GPU so it works in a "Dual-Graphics" mode along with the APU for best performance =)

 

Interesting, I knew the GT730 was cheap but if the APU can out-perform it...

Not that it needs powerful graphics, I'm only looking for a system that can load up documents and programs with lightning speed at a very decent price.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Yeah it is still an option. Might consider the AMD system with no graphics card.

I actually have already helped someone spec up a computer, and the specs are very similar to the Intel system I'm looking at now:

 

Core i3 4160 3.6GHz

Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3

8GB DDR3 Crucial

Nvidia GT730 2GB

128GB WD SSD

 

It's a pretty good system too, very inexpensive but very quick for everyday stuff.

Don't buy a cheap GPU, either get something like a 750 or better or use on board. The 730 is about equal to intel hd or the apu.

[Morgan MLGman]

Interesting, I knew the GT730 was cheap but if the APU can out-perform it...

Not that it needs powerful graphics, I'm only looking for a system that can load up documents and programs with lightning speed at a very decent price.

Yep, this little APU if you properly overclock it along with a fast RAM can handle even Crysis 3 and Battlefield 4 playably, it should be more powerful than the GT730.

Take a look at this:

Note that it's without any overclock added which does boost the performance very significantly in this case as you can overclock both CPU and the iGPU parts.

Anyway, it's a better choice in terms of graphics performance. And as I mentioned if you get an appropriate Radeon GPU along with the APU for example later on you boost your performance even more cause the dual-graphics feature with these APUs allow them to work together with the dedicated Radeon for even bigger increase in performance than if you added an equally powerful Nvidia card

 

The i3 is a good choice only with at least a GTX 750/750Ti quality GPU in my opinion unless you're not going to run any gpu intensive tasks, even browsing the web might be hard on the GPU though as most browsers use hardware acceleration. Leaning more towards the Ti version.

[TheMechEngineer]

Don't buy a cheap GPU, either get something like a 750 or better or use on board. The 730 is about equal to intel hd or the apu.

 

If it were my system, I'd get a 750 or 750 Ti no question. Easily some of the best value for money graphics out there.

There won't be any gaming on this system though, so I'm trying to scale back.

I avoid onboard audio and video like the plague, but it's starting to look like a much better option.

[SkilledRebuilds]

IMO it comes down to budget more than anything, but OP states "Which is Faster" for HIS needs...

/Cos he's not planning to play games, so why need the extra AMD GPU horsepower if he isn't gunna use it at all...?

 

i3 - even without a dedicated GPU, its still gunna be faster overall.

Onboard iGPU of the i3 does not slow down browsing (HW accell is fine) it also decodes video fine and can run any desktop resolution (except 4k@60fps maybe)

You can play GTA5 on a HD4600 too, with 50-60fps, I've seen it.

 

 

With OP-USAGE ONLY in mind,....The i3+HD4600 can do everything the AMD APU can.