I put together these two builds with one using FM2+ and the other using AM3+.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3N5Px
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3N4Tn
The AM3+ will obviously perform better now but I'm concerned about future upgradability.
Thoughts?
PS: I'm open to other builds and suggestions in the same price range.
AM3+ is better. Not only for performance, but longevity and upgrade considerations. FM2 simply isn't powerful enough, and doesn't have enough PCI lanes.
The builds you've configured look really good. Only thing that really needs to change is the motherboard. You couldn't possibly use the D3P, it uses a 4+1 power phase. This is insufficient for some of the power hungry AM3+ CPUs. 4+1 is suitable for the 6xxx chips, but not the 8xxx chips. Spend an additional $20 on one of the M5A99X range, which uses a 6+2.
e.g The EVO R2.0
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-m5a99xevor20
Alternately, you could get the M5A99X PRO R2.0 which will be better for SLI or Crossfire upgrades. It has more PCI lanes than the EVO.
Personally, I think the 280x is too much for the FM2 platform.
I would go with AM3+, AMD is going in a really strange direction on FM2+ post Kaveri plus AM3+ has more PCI-Express lanes meaning you have more expandability and it also can handle higher end GPUs
The only reason i'm worried for the future of AM3+ is because of whole AMD Roadmap thing.
Roadmaps are not set in stone, just because its not roadmap doesn't mean it doesn't exist, plus the next FM2+ APU will only have 16 GP PCI-Express lanes (down from the 24 of Kaveri) which is not very good and really nerfs the platform in favor of HSA, which in my opinion is not the way to go
Discussion from a "future upgradability" standpoint
AM3+ Is essentially dead, its been around for a long time, and really is just a band-aided AM2, which was used by Athlon 64's in 2007.
FM2+ is probably dead too but you will most likely have one more generation of APU's. Excavator is coming soon enough, and will probably be on FM2+. But after that, who knows. AMD is focusing HARD on making a new platform....Skybridge. Because of the engineering involved in the interchangeability of ARM and x86 on the same socket, id say a new platform will be coming in the next year and a half.
All that being said-- both platforms will give a variety of upgradable features, thanks to PCi-E. AM3 and the 990FX specifically has 38 PCI-E 2.0 lanes ( it is older technology based on the 790FX from 2007).... but the A88x chipset in the FM2+ platform supports PCI-E 3.0... which doubles the speed of the PCI-E Bus. I can't find spec's on how many lanes Kaveri has (its on the APU, not the northbridge). E
TL;DR i think FM2+ is the better bet for future upgradability. The only thing its missing is native support for PCi-e based SSD's, but you can fit one in a 4x pci-e slot and get good transfer speeds. And Sure you will not have AS MUCH CPU perfromance as an 8 core power hungry monster, but a a10-7850k can play just about any game on low-medium settings on its own, and could run on a power supply <300 watts in an ITX case if you wanted. Or you can add a graphics card, and be with 10-15% of a "better CPU" and still get very playable rates.
EDIT:
WHY ON EARTH DO YOU NEED A 700 WATT POWER SUPPLY ON THAT FM2+ COMPUTER.
And the only AMD processors worth buying for FM2+ are the A10-7850ks or the 7700ks,
Future upgrades for $20 more than the 550W version. I wouldn't need an APU if I have a discrete GPU.
NZXT Hale is a good line of PSU. But regarding the FM2 platform, it's better to save the $20. FM2 is only suitable for a single mid-range GPU and a couple of additional devices. You won't use more than 500W, simply.
I also wouldn't personally buy a Kaveri with the intention of buying a high-end GPU in the future(which is why I just bought a 4670k), nor would I recommend doing so to my friends or clients. And I also agree you will most likely NEVER use more than 500 watts, and if you have a more appropriate sized PSU you will save you the money now, and more money over time with gained efficiency.
All that being said, you COULD put a high-end GPU on an Fm2+ platform and be pretty OK, see Jayztwocents for scaling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWans5FU4cU
That's the perfect demonstration. I wouldn't get anything higher than a 270. It's basically the same level of performance as the 270x. Don't need much more than that in most games at 1080p.
Thanks a ton for posting this. I may just go ahead and build that exact PC.
Maybe save a chuck of change with the Athlon 750k or 760k. The Athlon is an A10 APU with the integrated graphics disabled.
While the 7850k has more features, I don't think the small difference in gaming performance warrants double the cost.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3NatB
Am I missing something? The build turned out to be way more than the $490 claimed.
I have no idea why his was cheaper, but looks like a great build to me
He has the R9 270 build priced at $680.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3NaIa
I managed to match it with an Athlon CPU. It's got the same approximate processing power, but fewer power saving features and no iGPU. An Athlon 750/760 is the same as the older A10 without the graphics.
That CPU cooler won't fit with that motherboard and case. It'll hit the drive cages, unless you want to take out the ones that it'll hit.
Lowering the price. Unfortunately you'll have to give up the case in this build I've done:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3NeFH
Nice of you to catch that. I left it in as I only edited the build. Might find a low profile Noctua for $10 more
Nh-L9a would probably be the one if OP doesn't want to use the stock cooler. I believe a TX3 will work in the Node 304 as well.
In Jayz video he says the Hyper 212 Fits within the Node. I don't know if he took any drives cages out though,
Lets say I go with the FM2+ platform and get an Athlon. Lets also say I get a 2560x1080 monitor.
Is it worth an extra $100 and get a 280x vs a 270x?