We've all been through this debate a few times before (coolers, motherboards, etc.); this is actually the seventh thread about it 🤣
But let me try to be constructive here—in most current games, there isn't a noticeable difference between them (unless you're playing the absolute most demanding titles using HIGH end graphics cards pr1, pr2—on mainstream GPUs, there really isn't a meaningful gap between these relatively relevant processors). In multiplayer modes for those heavy hitters like Call of Duty or Battlefield 4, the edge goes more toward the octa-core, though those benchmarks are usually based on single-player performance
Bottom line: there's basically no difference in gaming because most titles don't put enough load on multiple cores to make a dent between a 6-core and an 8-core processor if they share the same architecture and clock speed
On most websites, even when there is a slight difference shown (for example, TechSpot—which mostly compares the 8350 and the AMD FX 6300), that gap isn't actually due to having two extra cores. It’s mostly because of the 500MHz difference in clock speed (since the AMD FX 6300 can easily be overclocked to 4.0 or even 4.3–4.5 GHz). You can see this clearly on that site because they include scaling charts for the AMD FX 8350—where at 3.5 GHz (the stock speed for both the AMD FX 8320 and the AMD FX 6300), it performs exactly the same as the AMD FX 6300 in the table (when paired with a high-end card) one example
So, you aren't losing much by sticking with the AMD FX 6300. However, if the AMD FX 8320 fits within your budget, you could grab it as a way to future-proof for next-gen games. Just remember that those games depend primarily on your graphics card—that is the most important factor
Take a look at the CPU requirements for the new Dragon Age 3 (Frostbite Engine 3) at 1920x1200p
The AMD FX 6300 stands out as the best-buy CPU, especially at its price point of around $70
Samsung isn't even the top pick among premium SSDs anymore. With newer options like the HyperX 3K or Kingston hitting the market, people are looking elsewhere because they've dealt with those massive speed drops while waiting on firmware updates.
Daniel Green92 said:That’s exactly what I told him, but the guy at the store keeps insisting I need at least 850W...
That guy is an idiot. This build would run perfectly fine on a basic mainstream power supply like an EVGA 450 W—the entire setup wouldn't even pull 300W under full load.
Let's be realistic here—you'll probably burn out that GTX 660 and upgrade to something beefier long before you bother hunting down a second card for SLI.
In my view, pairing an entry level i5 + a budget motherboard is the smartest bang-for-your-buck move when looking at Intel. These "K" series chips are a luxury, and honestly, with Intel's Haswell architecture, you don't see much of a payoff from overclocking unless you're playing multiplayer titles paired with a high-end GPU. In a lot of games today, an extra 1GHz is practically meaningless, let alone just a few hundred MHz. It might matter down the road, but it all really boils down to what you plan on playing and which graphics card you eventually decide to pair it with.
David Sanders4 said:You basically swapped in a weaker CPU that actually runs hotter.
This is pushing it a bit too far.
Essentially, it’s nearly identical to its predecessor, the Core i5-4670K, with the clock speed bumped up by a mere 100 MHz. The base clock sits at 3.5 GHz, while the Turbo clock reaches 3.9 GHz for two cores. ... Memory support remains unchanged—dual-channel DDR3 up to 1600 MHz—though the TDP has climbed by 3 W to reach 88 W. The integrated graphics core is also the same, featuring HD 4600 with speeds ranging from a minimum of 350 MHz to a maximum of 1200 MHz. ... Another update specifically for the new K-series models is the introduction of a new generation of Thermal Interface Material (NGPTIM). This aims to improve heat transfer between the processor die and the IHS, which Intel claims was the primary culprit behind higher temperatures in the previous generation. Additionally, updated capacitors on the underside of the package allow for smoother power delivery to the cores. These changes should result in lower operating temperatures and improved overclocking headroom. ... We utilized Gigabyte's motherboard to test overclocking across all our processors. When we tested the i7-4670K last year, we hit a peak overclock of roughly 4.6 GHz, so we were hoping the 4690K might surpass that, thanks to improved thermal management and a more mature manufacturing process. While our specific sample wasn't a top-tier overclocker, it still managed to hit a stable 4.7 GHz.
If you compare the temperature reviews on PC Expert—the Devil Canyon (i5 & i7) units are identical, if not even warmer—and they even used a slightly better Noctua cooler (D15) with those Devil Canyon builds.
If I can get something brand new and similar for roughly the same price, I honestly wouldn't mess around with used hardware; there's zero percent risk involved with new.
Here’s the breakdown for the Asrock H81M-HDS: it features an Intel Socket 1150, utilizes the Intel H81 chipset, comes in an M-ATX form factor, and supports dual Channel 2 xDDR3 memory. 1 x Intel Celeron G1820 (2.70GHz, 512KB, 2MB, 54 W, Intel Socket 1150) Box 1 x 4GB Crucial DDR3, 1600MHz CL11 1 x Seagate 1TB HDD, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, ST1000DM003 1 x Corsair VS Series Power Supply, 350 Watt, ATX, ATX12V v2.31 1 x LG GH24NS DVD Burner, DVD±RW, featuring 24x DVD±R, 8x DL, and 40x CD-R speeds. One Zalman ZM-T2 plus micro tower case. Dimensions: 189mm (W) x 427.5mm (H) x 364mm (D).
$659 AMD
Your motherboard features VGA, DVI, and HDMI outputs—three different options, so you can just pick whichever one works for you. If you run into any compatibility issues, you can always grab a VGA to DVI converter or something similar to bridge the gap.
Regarding the graphics cards—let me tell you, every single one of them comes with three outputs, even the budget models. $100 Look, choosing between a GT 610 or an HD 6450—assuming you need VGA, DVI, and HDMI—is basically just throwing money down the drain. They aren't any more powerful than the integrated graphics on a Haswell chip anyway. Plus, they’ll completely wreck your budget. When you're already struggling to piece together a decent PC with just two sticks of RAM, there's simply no room for that. You might be able to squeeze them in if you cut corners everywhere else—like ditching the fancy cooler, picking a cheaper case, or opting for a budget power supply and a basic 500GB hard drive—but honestly, why even bother? It makes zero sense to spend your cash like that.
Essentially, you just need two video outputs—something almost every modern graphics card offers nowadays (usually three or four ports). You could even run dual monitors using just the integrated graphics if your motherboard provides two video outputs. That works perfectly fine if your goal is simply to display two different images on two screens; however, there’s a catch if you're looking for specific performance levels.
Here’s a budget-friendly option: an Intel H81 motherboard priced around $350-$133. It comes equipped with HDMI, VGA, and DVI. I've also paired it with a random graphics card that features HDMI, DVI-I, DVI-D, and DisplayPort.
Honestly, for that kind of money, the 250x isn't much of a steal—the 260 is definitely the stronger choice here.
If you're looking for the bare minimum that actually makes sense to buy today, go with the R7 260 (non-x). If your budget can swing it, don't even hesitate—just grab the R7 265 instead.
You should be able to flip your current card for somewhere around $300$117, especially if you still have the warranty handy.
The motherboard is just another motherboard—it’s not about how they’re made, it’s about the service. You hear way more complaints about DOA components from eDigital than anyone else because their RMA process is an absolute nightmare, leaving tons of customers frustrated.
EDIT
I see they're trying to polish their tarnished reputation with these silly little gimmicks and sales promotionsclick (check out the last two posts)
Is it freezing? Does the screen stutter or is the whole PC locking up?
Did you seat the GPU properly? Maybe there's an issue with the cable connecting the monitor to the card? Also, double-check that you actually plugged in the power connector for the graphics card.
Sam Murphy said:Where can I find the best deals on graphics cards?
You've been burned a few times already; you've checked five different shops and still come up empty. $233 Just a heads-up: that online price is exclusive to the HG Shop website—if you’re paying cash or looking for a better deal, you should probably just head into the physical store. For that specific GPU, I’d recommend checking out Micro Center, Best Buy, or maybe even Newegg. If you need shipping, expect to shell out around $30.$13By the way, you can pay cash on delivery at those shops—they'll just bring it right to your door.
Timothy Kim60 said:I searched through several major US retail sites and tech marketplaces looking for any available stock on the R7 260, but I couldn't find anything meaningful. It seems like these cards have completely vanished from the mainstream market.
swiftfalcon89 said:They're overpriced. You can honestly find a much better graphics card for less money at most major retailers than what they’re offering here. This would be a solid choice for you.
I’ve been scouring the web looking for deals on the R7 260, and I finally found some promising listings through a major US procurement site. It looks like there’s some decent availability out there if you know where to look.
Why wouldn't you just go with a newer Pentium click and an H81 motherboard 🤷 when the price difference is basically zero, and you end up with much better integrated graphics?
