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Thread: Switch from AMD to Intel?

  1. #1
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    Switch from AMD to Intel?

    Hi All,

    I’m contemplating changing my rig (as I do from time to time) and am thinking of switching over to Intel from my AMD. My Current Rig is:

    Phenom II X4 955BE
    Gigabyte MA770-UD3 revision 2
    4gb PC2-8500
    Samsung F1 1tb
    MSI ATI Radeon HD 6950 Twin FrozR II OC 2048MB
    Corsair HX450W 450w
    Antec 300

    I have around £400-£500 to spend and was wondering what the general consensus is? Do I have enough decent parts to reuse, i.e. Case, GPU, PSU and RAM etc to add to the Intel CPU and MOBO that I will have to buy, or should I save a bit more to replace any of those that I had planned on reusing? I would like to see some improvement when playing games (BF3, Skyrim etc) and would like something that could be upgraded in the future. I wouldn't want to spend £400 for negligible improvement.

    Or………… should I just stick a new AMD CPU (And maybe some more RAM?) in my rig for the time being? And if so, which one?! Any advice would be appreciated!

  2. #2
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Switch from AMD to Intel?

    Quote Originally Posted by opel80uk View Post
    I would like to see some improvement when playing games (BF3, Skyrim etc) and would like something that could be upgraded in the future.
    Skyrim needs Intel to play at the highest settings unfortunately, just due to the weird engine that needs fast single threaded performance. However, I wouldn't say this is indicative of most games, and the difference between Ultra settings and 'merely' High is almost unnoticeable.

    Otherwise most games are still going to be GPU dependant, and I expect your current CPU will be enough to feed the GPU for some time yet (especially if you utilise the easy overclocking). So if you want to improve performance overclock your CPU and buy a 7970 when they come out next January

    Longer term upgrade when your CPU doesn't cut it anymore, by which time the next chips from Intel and AMD will be out and you'll be able to make a more accurate assessment as to best value for money.

  3. #3
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    Re: Switch from AMD to Intel?

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    especially if you utilise the easy overclocking.
    I've never overclocked before........... just how easy is it?...........

    P.S I've got the stock fan on the CPU.

  4. #4
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Switch from AMD to Intel?

    Quote Originally Posted by opel80uk View Post
    I've never overclocked before........... just how easy is it?...........

    P.S I've got the stock fan on the CPU.
    Well that's your upgrade then - buy a £20 HSF upgrade

    OCing is very easy. You can do it in Windows using Gigabyte's EasyTune tools, or using AMD's Overdrive tools.
    http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...-review-8.html

    Or you can do it in BIOS using gigabytes pre-set turbo modes, or you can do it manually in the BIOS.

  5. #5
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    Re: Switch from AMD to Intel?

    So realistically, to play games like Skyrim on High settings (Which will do me fine TBH) I don't need to do anything just yet?

  6. #6
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Switch from AMD to Intel?

    Quote Originally Posted by opel80uk View Post
    So realistically, to play games like Skyrim on High settings (Which will do me fine TBH) I don't need to do anything just yet?
    I think you should be OK - I don't have experience of that particular CPU - you might get slow downs in cities but you should be able to tweak the sliders to get an enjoyable experience - you can probably increase others and add more image quality stuff too.

    Try it and report back. Then if not happy try some simple overclocking.

  7. #7
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      • Motherboard:
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      • CPU:
      • Phenom II X4 955BE
      • Memory:
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      • Storage:
      • Samsung F1 1tb
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      • Corsair HX450W 450w
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      • Operating System:
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    Re: Switch from AMD to Intel?

    Thanks Kalniel,

    I had a go yesterday, and it runs it pretty well on High settings. Not getting much slowdown at all, albeit with the sliders decreased slightly on almost everything, although it’s still an impressive looking game as it is.

    Think I will hold fire with regards to any upgrade then, Cheers!

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