Help selecting new AMD CPU for main system

Well I had a motherboard failure when it just stopped working (Thi it had something to do with reading the ram as it stopped seeing my 2 sticks as duel channel before it outright stopped working.

Right now I got a few days before I can buy my hardware, I was going to get an FX6100 hex core, but after reading about it a bit more I figured it might be better to go with a AMD Phenom II X4 975 Black Edition.

I am really not sure what I should get and could use some advice. I figured out the ram and motherboard I will get, but with what I seen I have no idea what to do about the CPU anymore.


Ram: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Motherboard: Newegg.com - MSI 870A-G54 (FX) AM3+ AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

So any advice on a decent CPU that will not break the bank. I was trying to stay around $300 for the three parts I am getting so Intell is pretty much out of the question (besides I like AMD)

thank in advance.

Personally I would buy the bulldozer, my friend has a bulldozer and there is a lot of OC room according to him, on air got it at 4.5ghz no problem and some on 5 I heard... not that great but on the other hand not many applications use more than 2-4, so really its completely up to you.

Genesis4455 said:

Personally I would buy the bulldozer, my friend has a bulldozer and there is a lot of OC room according to him, on air got it at 4.5ghz no problem and some on 5 I heard... not that great but on the other hand not many applications use more than 2-4, so really its completely up to you.

No, No just no. There are several problems with the Bulldozer series that you would not want to get your hands on. For starter there where a problem when it was released that made your compputer bluescreen as soon as you started Steam for some reason. Also the CPU is not 8 cores its 4 physical and 4 "support" CPU's meaning that it's something of a Intel copy as far as i've understood it. A lot of programs in todays tech will not use all the "cores at the same time meaning you will loose a lot of CPU power. Basicly the only applications that will use all cores to its full capacity is the real CPU heavy programs that is rending videos and similar programs. So Unless you are making tons of movies i would not suggest this CPU. If i where like you. If you google the Bulldozer series (A.k.a FX series) you will find a lot of reviews of that CPU. Here is for example a diagram from the swedish website SweClockers and theyr overall test for the bulldozer.



As you can see the 4x 980 is Slightly below the first FX CPU. And yet the Bulldozer is way more expensive. I would reather recommend you to go with a Phenom II 4x or 6x and a aftermarket cooler and do a little bit of overclocking your self without increasing the voltage on the CPU. I'm running a Phenom 6x T1055 at 3.4GHz (2.8GHz is the original clockspeed) without changing the voltage at all. And the voltage "overclocking" is usualy what will kill your CPU. Also if you would brefer to not overclock it you can still go for the 1100T andyou will have about the same speed as the 1055T but still have the warranty.

Here you have a website of a Bulldozer review as well if you would be intressted still in buying one or just dig your head a little deeper into the Bulldozer CPU and see if it still might be something for you. AMD FX-8150 Bulldozer Processor | AMD,FX-8150,Bulldozer,8-Core,Processor,Benchmarks,CPU,Performance,Reviews,David Ramsey,AMD FX-8150 Bulldozer 8-Core Processor Benchmark CPU Performance Review by David Ramsey



Also looking at the prices of a Phenom II 6x T1055 it's at 155$ approx (1550Sek) while the Bulldozer is 188$ (1880Sek) Thats a 20$ difference that you can use to buy your self a decent aftermarket cooler to make a more quite system and also if you do decide to OC your CPU you will get a lot more stable temps. Personaly I'm using a Antec Hühler H2O 920. And so far no problems with it. And it did cost me approx 99$ (990Sek).

Don't forget if you buy a Bulldozer and are keepin in mind to overclock it you basicly have to get a aftermarket cooler since the included CPU cooler is not made for those heats.


So my conclution.
If you want a good CPU for overall usage i would go with a Phneom II and a aftermarket cooler to be able to keep the noise level down and if you would like to overclock it do that without too much noise difference.

If you are using heavy thread applications that will use all of the cores that the bulldozer have and are willin to loose that preformance in games that is not supporting multi core solutions. The sure go a head and buy a Bulldozer.

If you are still uncerten or just want to render videos and such as a hobby i would suggest the Phenom ones again since it will give you a plesant experiance with other applications as well.


Just dont forget that there are no CPU that is perfect all have they'r own flaws some bigger then others.

Thanks, well in the end I went with the Phantom as I don't really do video editing and from what I seen this is a better gaming chip then the FX. Although for OC I really have no idea how to over clock as I never done so before.