So I am behind on Motherboards and CPUs

[Aerozord]

I am building myself a new computer and both CPUs and Motherboards have changed alot since I last got one. So what do I look for when searching for a CPU, what are current models?

Specifically for a motherboard I want to know what expansion slots are most common now? Seems like I am always behind on those and it really limits what I can get.

[Sithdarth]

Not a lot has changed you want more cores, higher clock speed, possibly larger cache sizes. Just bigger numbers in general. Make sure the processor socket matches the socket in the motherboard (which it will tell you) and you want PCI express 16x ports because usually you can fit smaller cards into the larger slot without problems (it was designed that way). That's what all high end video cards are using. If you like AMD buy AMD or go Intel if you prefer Intel. I think Intel still has a slight edge with the i7 but I've always thought processor choice was more opinion than anything.

Oh and I think we're at PCIe (e for express) 3.0 in terms of standards so you might want to look at that.

[synkr0nized]

Also worth noting: if you plan to do SLI/Crossfire, look at the motherboard's specs to see how it runs the video card slots. For example, motherboard A might run 16x with one card but clock them down to 8x both or 8x and 4x or something like that with multiple cards. Motherboard B might manage to keep 16x in both or 8x in both, etc. Motherboard B with multiple video cards should perform better then.


Intel's current line is the second generation of i-cores (i3, i5, and i7), known as the "Sandy Bridge" line. In addition to improving clock speeds, the Sandy Bridge version of the processors has increased capabilities, such as superior integrated video (not that I would recommend that, but it's nice to have) and, especially in the processors with a K in the number, somewhat better overclocking options.

The i3 is mostly budget and comes as dual-core processors that don't have hyperthreading and the like. i5 cores are mostly dual-core but if I recall there are a couple quads, and they have turbo-boost and hyperthreading and all that. i7 processors are quads with all the bells and whistles.

The current line uses four numbers in the model number, such as "core i5-2500", whereas the first generation would be "core i5-650" or similar.

You can easily match their required socket type with motherboards that have the correct socket, but just be sure to check. Fortunately all three lines use the same.


AMD last I checked was still pushing out "Athlon II" and "Phenom II" processors, at least with respect to their higher-performance machines. While I am running a relatively modern multi-core Athlon II in my Linux box, I have not kept up as well with their model versions as I have with Intel. Intel's chips soundly outperform them, in my opinion, though you can certainly slap together a solid box with a much tighter budget via AMD (Though hasn't that always been the case? Too bad they just fall so short for more recent games). "Bulldozer" nicknamed chips are the most recent, I believe.

Most of AMD's current chips run on a socket AM2 or AM3 board, and fortunately most boards with those sockets can accommodate most all of the processors. Again, just be sure to check when you are looking at parts.


You of course could shoot for a more budget build with something like an AMD sempron or Turion chip or an Intel Core 2 Quad or the like. The latter are still competitive for their price, I know.




In all cases, modern motherboards come with 1, 2, or 3 PCIe slots for video cards [do any come with 4 now? I admittedly don't know] with one or more smaller PCI express slots for expansions cards (USB, sound cards, eSATA, and so forth). You don't see much PCI anymore, and you certainly shouldn't be looking at an AGP board. Almost all have onboard sound and LAN options, as well, if that works for you, and there should be at least a couple USB 3.0 slots.

[Azisien]

One thing I learned is that unless you like burning money, and especially if this is for gaming, forget SLI or CrossFire. Just have a x16 slot and buy one powerful card. The bang for your buck just isn't very good with two cards. Also, I ran into more than a few games that just don't recognize SLI, dropping my video memory by half. For gaming, the boost you're going to get by doubling up a card is going to be pretty negligible.

Although, I have been curious to see how two GTX660s would run in SLI configuration.

Right now is a great time to grab Sandy Bridge-E CPUs and compatible motherboards. They are the top of the line and they'll be that way for a little while. Intel isn't launching Haswell until 2013, and from what I've read so far, Haswell seems focused on power consumption and mobile computing.

[synkr0nized]

At the time of putting together my gaming/main PC, the two 460s I got and have running in SLI outperformed practically all of the high end single card options and were cheaper than most of them.

If you pounce on a sale, even better.

[Aerozord]

I should have said what I was using this for.

Primarily I want it for gaming so I can handle new games and even turn on alot of the bells and whistles. However I also started doing video editing as well. Nothing so intensive that it kills my system but it does put alot of strain on it.

Price range, I dont want to spend more than 200 on CPU and motherboard combined, though I'd prefer 100-150 dollar range.

[Aerozord]

Shopping around abit, AMD looks like the better bet, good intel chips are too far out of my budget. These four looked good but I wanted some opinions to make sure I didn't miss anything

On the low end I have
AMD Phenom II X4 and the AMD FX-4100

For abit more I have
AMD FX-6100
If I understood what you guys were saying the extra two cores are well worth the 10 extra bucks

High end, I'd only go with if its an excellent deal because its abit out of my price range
AMD FX-8120
an 8 core processor. Its nice specs but it seemed like over kill for anything I'd be doing.

Still shopping for motherboards, which is harder because of the wider variety. To confirm, AMD3+ chip fits in a AMD3 socket right?

[Azisien]

I got an email today from Newegg.ca, there's a special on AMD FX-6100 for $115 CAD and a decent compatible motherboard for $52. There are probably equivalent US deals happening.

[Aerozord]

Originally Posted by Azisien

I got an email today from Newegg.ca, there's a special on AMD FX-6100 for $115 CAD and a decent compatible motherboard for $52. There are probably equivalent US deals happening.

they dont seem to, I mean they have deals but doesn't seem to have one paired with that CPU.

though if anyone would like to recommend some please do. As I said its hard to sift through so many