Are graphics processing units designed for video enhancement still a worthwhile investment?
Are graphics processing units designed for video enhancement still a worthwhile investment?
Hello,
I recently acquired a new graphics card due to it being significantly cheaper during Black Friday at my local retailers, and I hadn’t considered the processor at the time, though funds were also limited.
I obtained a Sapphire Pulse RX 570 with 4GB of VRAM, and it performs adequately, but my central processing unit occasionally becomes a limiting factor. While I don't play many games, I still enjoy playing Battlefield 4 and eventually plan to explore Fallout 4 or Space Engineers. However, I recently purchased Battlefield 1 with all of its expansions via Premium DLC for only 10 euros, and I noticed my CPU can successfully manage it.
I currently possess an Athlon 740 X4 paired with an FM2 motherboard and two 4GB DDR3 RAM sticks, leading me to consider an upgrade.
I could purchase either the FX 8350 or FX 8320, along with a compatible motherboard (GA-78LMT-USB3 R2), while retaining my existing RAM, resulting in a total cost of approximately 135 dollars. Alternatively, I could opt for a complete system overhaul, involving: a GIGABYTE A320M-S2H motherboard, a Ryzen 3 1200 processor, and two G.Skill XPM 2.0 4GB RAM sticks – this would cost around 243 dollars.
I’ve been researching the FX options because I've seen videos of individuals playing games, including Battlefield 5, with consistently high frame rates. Since I’m not heavily involved in gaming beyond these titles and have colorblindness, I'm less concerned with visually intensive graphics.
I currently own a Thermaltake 600W Smart RGB 80Plus power supply, and I'm a little worried about power consumption; however, considering my limited gaming activity, this option remains considerably more affordable – approximately 100 dollars cheaper.
Thank you for your assistance.
Stefan Szucs:
Error Message:
Investing heavily in older components for AMD before Ryzen isn’t generally a wise choice. If you're determined to retain your DDR3 memory, I suggest considering Haswell i5 or i7 processors, particularly the 4x90 models – they generally perform better across a range of tasks.
I’m trying to build a system but I can't locate any used CPUs or motherboards that align with the 6th generation, or something similarly current. It’s not strictly about keeping DDR3 RAM; I'm simply aiming for a more affordable configuration.
However, that approach would likely result in an older and less contemporary system – essentially pushing you further away from current technology at a higher cost.
PCPartPicker component list:
/
Cost breakdown by retailer
Processor:
AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor
($89.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - B450...
Prior to the Ryzen series, it’s generally not advisable to invest heavily in AMD hardware. However, if you need to retain DDR3 memory, consider Haswell i5 or i7 processors—specifically the 4x90 models—which offer superior performance for a wide range of applications.
Consider delaying your purchase until you can invest in DDR4 memory and construct a more modern computer system. Focusing on an outdated platform from 2012 without any future compatibility options solely to utilize older RAM will likely result in dissatisfaction over time. It’s not advisable to power a 125W processor on a GA-78LMT-USB3 board, necessitating you to choose from slower, obsolete CPUs like the FX 6300 or FX 8320E, or to allocate a portion of your funds towards acquiring a suitable motherboard that would complement a CPU that was questionable in its original release five years ago.
A recent AMD processor won’t provide significant value if you're relying on older technology. If you want to retain DDR3 memory, consider Intel’s Haswell i5 or i7 series, specifically the 4x90 models—they offer superior performance for a broader range of applications. I'm attempting to build a system, but locating suitable second-hand CPUs from the 6th generation is proving difficult. My primary motivation is to achieve a more affordable configuration overall.
Szucs Stefan:
Error Message:
It’s generally not advisable to invest heavily in older systems based on AMD technology. If you need to retain DDR3 memory, a Haswell i5 or i7, specifically the 4x90 models, would be a more suitable choice for most applications.
I’m considering this but I am struggling to locate readily available second-hand CPUs and motherboards that align with the 6th generation or similar. My primary concern is finding a cost-effective solution, but I believe this would ultimately result in an older and less contemporary system.
The total cost of using a 2012 platform, even with its potential savings of around $60, is not truly a reduction due to the fact that it's not ideal to power a 125W AM3+ processor on a motherboard featuring a four-phase power supply, which is typical for budget AM3+ boards.
PCPartPicker configuration:
/
Cost Breakdown by Retailer
CPU:
AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G Processor (3.5 GHz Quad-Core)
($89.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard
($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:
Team - Vulcan 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
($60.98 @ Newegg)
Total:
$209.97
Prices include shipping, taxes and any applicable discounts. Generated by PCPartPicker on December 15, 2018 at 5:22 PM EST-0500
I plan to postpone purchasing a new gaming system and instead accumulate funds for an updated configuration. Currently, I’m utilizing an FX 8350 processor with a 750ti graphics card in my bedroom—this setup generates significant heat, consumes considerably more power, and will not improve over time like a fine wine. While it performed adequately initially, it’s no longer a suitable investment today. However, if you absolutely must upgrade now, InvalidError's recommendation would be a superior choice than the FX option.