So I'm planning on building my first gaming PC but with Christmas around the corner, I might have to tighten the budget a bit. What I would like to know is if any of you use an OC'd FX 6300 with the intel compiler, and what kind of FPS/settings you are able to reach, particularly with Skyrim. I will be using this with either a HD 7950 or 7970, as the XFX models are quite cheap in the UK at the moment.
Also will the FX 6300 be able to handle an ENB mod, or are these more reliant on the GPU?
I hope I've been clear, and any help would be much appreciated.
I have the FX6300 in my system, and it runs skyrim fine, and an ENB is more reliant on the GPU, so no need to worry there. I don't run skyrim with an ENB very well but that comes down to my GPU (Powercolor HD7850, I am waiting for my R9 280X Toxic though).
Hey thanks for the reply. Are you able to play on ultra? What kind of FPS do you get? I'm fine with turning things down on other games, but I'd really like to get some of that Skyrim eye candy whilst still getting decent frames.
Although I know nothing about PC gaming as of yet, I see you are looking at the same price range for graphics cards as me. Is the 7970 better than the R9280?
Watch the XFX GPU's they can have cooling issues. Never had a problem with mine but my brothers overheated for fun. Its easily remedied though turns out XFX aren't very good with thermal paste. They must have applied it with a spoon there was that much but after a good clean up and a sensible amount of new paste it works fine never gets over 60c now.
I think the 7970 and R9280X are similar performance wise but the XFX is much cheaper. As for the 8320, if I get that I then need to spend more money on a 990 mobo, and seeing as I'm building for gaming only I don't think there's any benefit to having the eight cores. It's an extra £50 for not much more performance from what I can tell, and at that price point I'd be better off getting an i5.
Ouch, those prices are painful over the lake. Here in Canada an FX 6300 is about $130, FX 6350 is about $145, and FX 8320 is about $160. For a lot of games it's useful, but yeah unless you can afford a 990 board with it, you won't be able to OC it much on a 970 with those thermals
I agree with motormadmark, I had cooling issues with my xfx 7870 Double D card so beware. Also I only have an FX 4300 and I can run Skyrim (+35 mods) on ultra @ 1080p at around 35-45 fps along side my new Asus R9 280x
Well as i see you live in the UK, so going with the FX8320 is a realy good option for you. Because you don´t have to spend that much for a motherboard that is capable of handling and even overclocking a FX8320 or 8350.
just pickup a Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0 mobo for 76 pounds, this board is a special one, it has the same power dilivery 6+2 powerphases digi vrm as the Asus M5A99FX pro R2.0 has, it only does have a 970 chipset, that means no sli and crappy CF support, but with a single gpu setup who cares?
Skyrim is quite a CPU intensive game. I would advise getting the strongest CPU you can possibly obtain. When you enter crowded areas/towns, you will get dips in your performance.
The 8320 is a very good option for budget gamers in the UK. Only about £25 more expensive than the FX6300. The FX6300 is suitable, though...
Can that board handle the 8 series? I read some things (I think one of your posts actually) that recommended a 990 board for an FX 82/350. So will I be able to overclock on that board safely with a CPU cooler?
It has a lot to do with power phases. Most 970 motherboards do not have a suitable power delivery for 8xxx chips. If the EVO has a 6+2 power phase design, it should be perfectly acceptable.
Hmmm acceptable. Maybe I'll just have to wait until after Christmas and save up a bit more. Harumph. Thank you to all who took the time to answer though, I really appreciate your help and patience with new PC folk like myself.
If you can afford the 6300 and suitable motherboard at this time, it is a good option. It's just that the 8320 is only a small difference in price, and you might prefer to save for that.
Don't think we are twisting your arm to make you choose an 8xxx chip.
Yes it can, i own this board my self with an FX8350, but like i said this board is a special board. with the same powerphase and vrm design as the Asus M5A99X evo R2.0 or the Pro. but only has a 970 chipset. 6+2 powerphase and digi vrm
i did not overclock it yet because i use stock cooler but i run at 4.2 ghz without problems.Pistol has the Asus M5A99FX pro R2.0 board in her rig, and shes running a FX8350 at 4.6 GHZ with all the stuff shes doing with her rig.. since the Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0 has the same power dilivery design, it should be capable, to do arround the same.