Phenom II x4 965 or FX4100 for gaming?

C

christofudge

New Member
Hey guys :),

I was just wondering which was the better processor to go with for gaming. I have analysed every aspect of my budget, and I definitely want to go for a quad-core but I'm finding it very difficult to decide which of these. I definitely want to go with AMD and my motherboard will have an AM3+ socket either way, as I want to make it as future proof as possible :)

Thanks in advance!
 
I don't think you should go with either, I think you should get an i3. I know it's not a quad-core, but it outperforms both the Phenom and the FX.
 
I've heard so much debate about intel and AMD I've never really been sure which is better, but I've always used AMD processors so thats why I narrowed it down to them two, as I know what I am looking at when I see AMD processors. :-)

Thanks for your reply though!
 
OK if you want an AMD, both are fine for gaming. I'd go with the FX as it is newer though and it is multiplier unlocked so you can overclock it providing you have a good board and cooler!
 
That was my opinion too, but I read online about problems with the FX series so I was wondering if anyone would know anything about this or if its a bunch of baloney. You don't happen to know anything about this would you? :P
 
Yeah I know that Bulldozer/FX was a little bit of a disappointment, but really once you've got the FX overclocked it will outperform the Phenom. I've used both processors myself and performance wise they're about the same.

I'd go for the 4100. Newer, performs about the same, overclocks much further. I'd still take an i3 over it though.
 
Hmm... I'm reading on other forums too, and many people seem to be pointing to the i3. In order to overclock the fx4100 would i need more than the stock heatsink and four 120mm fans? If I would then I may go on to consider the i3 as a replacement. Is there much difference between intel mobo's and amd mobo's besides the obvious socket changes and stuff?

Thanks again xD sorry to be a pain
 
Yes you'd need a better cooler than the stock one. They can be picked up for about 15 quid though http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-Cool...92ZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350583139&sr=8-1 something like that would be fine.

The i3 is better, but bear in mind it's not an overclocker. In this price range, only the FX-4100 and the Phenom II Black Edition processors are. I'd take an FX-4100 over a Black Edition Phenom though as they overclock further and of course they are newer.

Bulldozer's replacement is meant to be just around the corner.
 
Yeahh I heard about the bulldozers replacement, but I figured it would be out of my budget when it comes out. I guess I have some more research to do!

I don't really think I want to overclock my computer, simply from laziness. My problem with the i3 is the expense, the mobo and i3 can both be more expensive that the amd mobo i found and the phenom/BD
 
Here's another vote for an i3. While the new Bulldozer is coming out in the next couple months, I regret getting an AM3+ board and a Phenom II a year ago. Mine's a Black Edition and I've done OC'ing. It does fine and for gaming it's done everything I've wanted except Guild Wars 2... However I would have preferred an i3 so I could upgrade more easily, I'm pretty much maxing the CPU capibility of my socket with what's a available. An 8 core would be beneficial, but the price hike isn't worth it. However going from a lowly i3 in Intel to an upper level i5 or i7, you would have much more gain.

Regardless I think the 1155 socket used by the i3 is a much more sure fire performance socket than the AM3+. AM3+ supports the Bulldozers but the performance of the new ones is still sketchy at best. 1155 has much better CPU's available for it right now and allows for better upgrading unless the new AM3+ series is a huge upgrade (which I doubt).

TL;DR
Get the i3.
 
I've had a good look around, and I think I'm gonna save a tiny bit extra and get the i3. Thank you so much for all your help guys! It was the thought about how upgrading would be much more satisfying with the intel and how I would get more out of upgrading to the ivybridge possibly eventually too.

Thanks again! :-D
 
christofudge said:
I've had a good look around, and I think I'm gonna save a tiny bit extra and get the i3. Thank you so much for all your help guys! It was the thought about how upgrading would be much more satisfying with the intel and how I would get more out of upgrading to the ivybridge possibly eventually too.

Thanks again! :-D
Click to expand...

Good choice. Don't get me wrong, both AMD chips are decent chips, but they're far worse in comparison to an Intel choice in terms of upgradeability. Honestly I think a i3-2100 is about the same both of the AMD ones you chose but down the road it will be good you went the Intel route.

What GPU are going to get? Because that makes an even bigger difference than a CPU.
 
Ahah thanks guys :) Is there much of a difference if I get the 2100 or the 2120?

And I'm going to be using a Nvidia Geforce GT430 for now which I picked up last year, but I might get a new one some point in 2013.
 
Pretty much no difference at all, go for whichever is cheaper. I tried a 2120 when I used an i3 for a build, I liked it a lot. :)
 
christofudge said:
Ahah thanks guys :) Is there much of a difference if I get the 2100 or the 2120?

And I'm going to be using a Nvidia Geforce GT430 for now which I picked up last year, but I might get a new one some point in 2013.
Click to expand...

Your GPU is going to really hold you back. You'll be able to play pretty much anything, but on low settings at best. An upgrade soon is a very good idea. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top