http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7683952&sku=A79-1055T
Here is the link and it is only $90. So is it better than the AMD p2 X4 965? Can this cpu handle a 7870?
$90 is a killer deal for the 1055T, but overclocking will be tricky for sure. The CPU multiplier is locked , so you're going to have increase the bus speed, which can cause instability with other components, such as memory.
Strictly gaming, out of the box, the 965 should be the gaming CPU now, due to the higher clock speed.
However, some games are starting to utilize more than 4 cores effectively, and more are around the corner since the next gen consoles will use 8-core CPU's. And the 1055T should be able to be pushed to 4GHz (which is the 965's limit more or less), provided you have a really good motherboard. So the 1055T has the potential to be the better CPU, if you're willing to pursue it.
When manually setting the overclock on the MSI 890FXA-GD70 we were able to get past that 4GHz barrier, though it was only 4MHz. This is the second board that we have hit a wall at a bus speed of 286-287. That is quite possibly the limit of this particular AMD Phenom II X6 1055T with out much higher voltages, unfortunately the ThemalTake SpinQ VT is already being pushed to the limits of its cooling capacity.
What mobo do recomend? Also will this be a bottleneck for the 7870?
The Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3. The board features 8+2 power design, meaning 8 dedicated power phases (most features only 4+1) for the CPU for stable power and 2 for chipset, as well as 970 chipset which natively supports the Bulldozer/Piledriver architecture, making an upgrade down the road easy without having to worry BIOS updates, power constraints, etc. Neither should bottleneck the 7870, especially when overclocked.
Another good alternative would the ASUS M5A97 R2. It's a little cheaper, but the phase power design isn't as beefy, only featuring a 4+2, however, since you will be overclocking via bus speed adjustments, the +2 part gives an OC advantage over other boards featuring a 4+1.
Well I think I will get this CPU if I don't have enough for the FX 6300.
It's a good idea. If you end up getting a Phenom 1055T, you can upgrade to Steamroller later on after it comes out.
Should I buy another cooler? Because if I do might aswell get a fx 6300 anless you know a really good one for $10
You should always get an aftermarket cooler if you plan to OC, but it doesn't have to be a high priority. You can always get one a few weeks down the road. Anyways, there aren't any worthwhile coolers under $20. For a decent cooler, you're typically looking at $30-$65.
Does it perform well with out a OC? Or do I need to do a small one like to 3.5ish maybe a bit less. Because I am getting a 7870 and want to play all games without low fps. (Games i play. Skyrim, PS2, Arma 2, and BF3)
Depending on my budget. If I have $800 will go for the FX 6300 but if I have $600 I will go for the 1055t.
It performs well enough, but it has a relatively low clock speed. I don't think it will hold you back, but you are playing some CPU intensive games. You could do a small OC on stock voltage, which should be fine on a stock cooling. If you can get up to 3 - 3.2GHz on stock voltage, you should be golden with the 1055T, at least until you get a decent cooler for a real OC.
Alright man, Thank you soo much for the help. If I get that CPU I'll upgrade to the next gen FX's and sell the CPU for $50.
IMO, Jerm is offering good advice. A modest overclock will get you good gaming performance with the stock cooler without overheating the chip. Leave all the Turbo Core, CnC, etc. ON, and just bump FSB up to ~235 or so while you reduce the memory multiplier by one notch. This should get you stable turbo at 3.8 and non-turbo around 3.2 This will keep the maximum power draw in check.
When you get a bigger cooler, you can disable the Turbo Core and run all 6 cores at 3.8+ ~ 4.0 full time if you like, although the power draw will start to go nuts, particularly if you start to bump the voltage. As suggested, get a healthy Mobo that is rated to run 140W+ CPUs without trouble. This will drive the 1055T fine and also assure that you can tweak any future FX chip you may buy.
FWIW, I have a 1045T running on a rather marginal MSI board at 2.9 / 3.85 and have no complaints about the performance. That said, I don't play any FPS and the games I do have don't make use of more than 2~3 cores. All the cores are good for 3.8+ at stock voltage, but the mobo would overheat and explode if I ran them all at that speed. :(
IMO, the Stars X6 chips are solid performers and, at <$100, represent a great deal.