It doesn't strictly need 2x4GB. You can run it on just 8GB total, but you'll take a hit... maybe 10-15% slower performance specifically on the graphics side... check this out
I think if you go with 2x4GB and allocate 2GB to video memory while leaving the rest for system tasks, everything should run smoothly without any stuttering in games... Battlefield 1, COD WWII, Wolfenstein 2... you can definitely pull those off with 6GB of RAM...
Down the road, you can just grab a dedicated GPU and get an extra 2GB of VRAM, or just sell these two sticks and pick up two 8GB sticks once RAM prices drop a bit...
If you're looking for a solution, you could always go with an iOS TV box... though you won't find any windows or unknown options there. You can pick them up on $167. They have an HDMI output . Something along these lines... the main thing is finding one with plenty of USB ports for your keyboard, mouse... or an extra thumb drive . https://www.fabathome.org/best-android-tv-box/
"AMD Radeon HD 7850 GDDR5 2" - supposedly giving a weaker signal, but it might be salvageable"
How'd you figure the signal was weak? Did you test it with something?
The CPU is fine, and since the motherboard doesn't support overclocking, it's not really a big deal... The real issue is the RAM. If you're planning on using the integrated graphics on the processor, you really need a 2x4GB setup. That way you get dual channel working, which makes the RAM much faster and should net you a few extra FPS...
I've been scrolling through Craigslist lately... looks like the market is tanking. People are trying to dump high-end GPUs, but nobody's biting. Prices are just insane...
If the dollar is at 6 and this board is only 50 bucks, that’s $100 plus whatever tax... I might just head over to Best Buy and pick up a real motherboard for $150
Yeah, buying used makes sense, but FM2+ prices are dropping because that socket is basically a dead end... when you're picking out a CPU, make sure it actually has integrated graphics. Some models don't, so don't go rushing into anything without checking first....
Meanwhile, Phenom chips are holding their value for some reason... for instance, people are asking $50 for an old Athlon X2 7750, yet you could snag an Intel Core Duo E8400 for maybe 50-$23... and Intel usually ends up charging double
If you're buying a new motherboard, you're looking at a dead socket like FM2. These days, you should be eyeing AM4 sockets and processors like the AMD G2200 or G2400.
You can check amd.com to see everything regarding compatibility between graphics cards and FM2 CPUs or integrated chips... they have tables there showing which card works with what.
Just head over to YouTube to see what kind of FPS you actually get with those specific combos...
In my opinion, those pairings don't give you much of a boost. It's a headache because some games work while others don't utilize the full potential, or they just won't run at all... again, check YouTube for exactly what you're interested in and obviously verify driver availability for that setup on amd.com.
Graphics aren't on the motherboards; they're in the processors if we're talking about FM2, FM2+, or AM4.
Basically, you pair a processor with your own graphics card on the FM2+ platform... meaning you check what graphics the FM2+ processor has and if it can work with your card in CrossFire mode.
If the G2200 is too expensive since it's nearly double the price, you could grab an APA 9600 for an AM4 board. It has decent graphics... maybe even better than what you find on FM2+ APUs... though naturally weaker than the G2200.
Then you'd be sitting at 50% capacity, drawing about 25-30W, while still having plenty of headroom if things get heavy... Plus, there are all these energy-saving tools to cap power consumption. Honestly, I'm not sure it even makes sense to look at those low-end chips anymore...
So I dropped the resolution on my 27-inch monitor down to 720p, and honestly, nothing looks pixelated... not the Chrome text, not the images... and I’m sitting only about half a foot away from the screen. Give it a shot if you don't believe me... I guess browsers have their own way of scaling text and photos for different resolutions, so they aren't strictly tied to high-def settings.
YouTube works perfectly fine at that resolution too; I switched the video to 720p while the monitor stays at 720p.
When it comes to gaming, playing at this resolution actually makes more sense if you can crank the settings and filters up to max along with the lighting (assuming your GPU can handle it, obviously)... it's better than sticking to high-def but running everything on low.
Getting a 32-inch AOC setup with a decent card to drive it would run you about $1333, which is pretty steep...
And why do things like that Grundig monitor even exist with those specific resolutions when it's supposed to be high-def anyway?
I've been thinking... I'm running an old GPU, so most new games barely crawl at 720p... maybe I should just grab something like this
720p
What’s the gaming experience actually like on a monitor like that? Is it worth it? Has anyone here tried one?
It claims a 600Hz refresh rate... though I seriously doubt my card could ever hit that...
I know there's that amazing AOC monitor (at least based on the $600 price point) that's 32 inches with a 2500x1400 resolution, but since my graphics card is pretty weak, I wouldn't get much use out of that resolution. Maybe just browsing the web...
In case you're wondering what I'm running, it's an HD 7770...
Gaming in HD gives you twice the pixels compared to 1366x768... so that resolution feels like a total lifesaver for older cards... but how much sense does that make long-term? Hmm...