(19/07/2012 07:07 PM)boogschd Wrote:  honestly.. i don't know if the 4100 is better than the 3850k or not

but some did say its better to get the 4100 over a phenom ii

BD is faster than the APU.  Phenom II X4 is a bit better at multithreading I believe.

Also I'd consider the Phenom II X4 960T (based on slightly newer Thuban core instead of older Denneb) if you can get one.

(20/07/2012 03:03 AM)1-R Wrote:  If I got the APU build it would be harder to upgrade because of the fm1 motherboard?

Honestly I wouldn't worry about upgrading.  In most cases, you'll be switching the motherboard when you get a new CPU.
In your case, you're pretty much at a dead end either way:
- Intel don't give a poo poo about maintaining socket compatibility, now that they have the upper end of the market.  They're using a new socket for Haswell (2013 chip)
- For the APUs, they're FM1, being replaced with FM2 (If I recall correctly)
- I recall that Piledriver was supposed to be FM2, but they've decided to stick with AM3+?  Either case, you can be fairly sure that Steamroller (2013 chip) is probably FM2 or something else.  Piledriver is probably only ~20% faster than Bulldozer.  Would you really buy a new CPU for just +20%?

(20/07/2012 08:52 AM)boogschd Wrote:  the phenom ii build has an AM3 board
its the fx4100 build that has the AM3+

I'm pretty sure you can plug a Phenom II into an AM3+ board though.

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In general, CPU speed doesn't matter that much.  To simplify:
- A8 3870K: quad core, cheapest option if you skip the GPU, fast enough for your needs
- Phenom II X4: faster, more expensive cause you need a GPU
- FX 4170: derp
- Core i3: only dual core here, but fastest single thread performance; the above quad cores give more raw power, so I'd probably favour the above for that reason.  But if you're going to add a GPU, this generates the least heat and uses the least power (A8 is probably more efficient if you don't add a GPU to it)

I'd go with the A8.  It's no big deal to slightly reduce your graphics settings anyway, especially if you're used to the bad graphics that consoles put out.