Good CPU to pair with Geforce 280 GTX SLI?

[TheInternal]

Howdy all.

Been doing some upgrades to older systems. I've found my now rather ancient Athlon 64 x 2 is bottle-necking when paired with a Geforce 280 GTX.
What would be a good CPU to pair with two Geforce 280 GTX cards in SLI... without breaking the bank / that wouldn't be grossly overkill or bottle neck? Phenom II? Athlon FX? Core i3?
Suggestions on Processor and mobo welcomed. I'd like to stay near $300 if possible (including $60 US for RAM), but can go a little higher if it'd be a great bang for the buck.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Hm, what's a 280 SLI equal to, about a 460 1GB?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Hm, what's a 280 SLI equal to, about a 460 1GB?

Nah. A 460 is only marginally faster than a 280.

Now, if you're talking heat, power consumption, and the multi-CPU jitteries... well, yeah.

OP, I'd probably look at an i3, but I'd ditch the 280s in favor of a single 660 or 7870 ASAP.

 

[Headfoot]

I'm sure the fanboy crews will roll through and argue the point to death, but in most reviews I've seen a fast CPU is more important in SLI/Crossfire than it is for a single card. I wouldn't cheap out on the CPU if you are serious about it.

Haswell is supposed to be out in June, might be worth seeing how that shakes out, especially if you're near a Microcenter.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Betting a x4 965 phenom 2 would be more then enough assuming your playing older games and the gtx280s are offering the performance you need.

Others would recommend a core i3 but the cheapest is $120 being the core i3 2100 being $25 more then the x4 965.

Either one would work i bet,the x4 965 might be more fun if you overclock.

 

[Haserath]

For the budget, an AMD FX 6300 should be good enough. Much better than the i3's in the same price range.

 

[toyota]

280 sli? athlon 64 X2? lol, had to check the date on this thread. what is the best cpu that your mobo supports? if building from scratch then its crazy not to go intel. Haswell will be out in 3 weeks so maybe an i3 cpu from that will be a good idea.

and just sell those silly old cards and put the money towards a modern single gpu. even a $140 gtx650 ti boost will beat that setup while using nearly 200 watts less.

 

[toyota]

For the budget, an AMD FX 6300 should be good enough. Much better than the i3's in the same price range.

if going that route then go 6350 for the same price...

 

[TheInternal]

The Geforce 280 GTX is a little faster than a Geforce 550 GTX Ti. That and you can find them on sale for about $60.
I'm using the old card because it's the fastest thing with an s-video out port.
The problem I'm having on the AMD side is figuring out the rather confusing motherboard chipset hodge-podge and finding a motherboard that's SLI capable, has 5.1 analogue outs, and is competitively priced. It's proven to be a challenge to figure out the best bang for the buck on getting a new CPU and mobo.

 

[Smoblikat]

Hm, what's a 280 SLI equal to, about a 460 1GB?

GTX 480

I would say a Q9550/I5 760 would be the perfect match

 

[Idontcare]

Howdy all.

Been doing some upgrades to older systems. I've found my now rather ancient Athlon 64 x 2 is bottle-necking when paired with a Geforce 280 GTX.
What would be a good CPU to pair with two Geforce 280 GTX cards in SLI... without breaking the bank / that wouldn't be grossly overkill or bottle neck? Phenom II? Athlon FX? Core i3?
Suggestions on Processor and mobo welcomed. I'd like to stay near $300 if possible (including $60 US for RAM), but can go a little higher if it'd be a great bang for the buck.

I may be out in left field here but throwing $300 at an upgrade just so your 280 GTX SLI won't be CPU limited just seems like throwing good money after bad.

The whole system is rather outdated at this point, you'd be better off holding onto your $300 and waiting it out another year so you can upgrade both the CPU and GPU to something more modern at the same time IMO.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I may be out in left field here but throwing $300 at an upgrade just so your 280 GTX SLI won't be CPU limited just seems like throwing good money after bad.

The whole system is rather outdated at this point, you'd be better off holding onto your $300 and waiting it out another year so you can upgrade both the CPU and GPU to something more modern at the same time IMO.

I agree.

 

[Denithor]

I'm using the old card because it's the fastest thing with an s-video out port.

Why? S-video is an archaic analog output for the old-style TV sets that didn't support component, D-sub, DVI, or most recently, HDMI connections. Very, very low resolution connection.

If you are still actually using S-video on a TV, you'd be better off taking that $300 and buying a new HDTV that will connect by DVI or HDMI.

 

[Termie]

I may be out in left field here but throwing $300 at an upgrade just so your 280 GTX SLI won't be CPU limited just seems like throwing good money after bad.

The whole system is rather outdated at this point, you'd be better off holding onto your $300 and waiting it out another year so you can upgrade both the CPU and GPU to something more modern at the same time IMO.

This.

For the budget, an AMD FX 6300 should be good enough. Much better than the i3's in the same price range.

But if you must, definitely this.

if going that route then go 6350 for the same price...

No they aren't. ~$15 difference if you shop around. But the 6350 is probably the better buy. Haven't seen any reviews though.

 

[toyota]

This.



But if you must, definitely this.



No they aren't. ~$15 difference if you shop around. But the 6350 is probably the better buy. Haven't seen any reviews though.

they were both the same price at newegg at the time that I looked which is the most common place that people here would check.

 

[Termie]

they were both the same price at newegg at the time that I looked which is the most common place that people here would check.

Here it is for $124 (versus $140 for the 6350): http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FX-Series-...ds=amd+fx+6300

I'd like to see reviews of the 6350 before I pass judgment on whether it's worth another $15. It all depends what the load operating frequency is.

 

[toyota]

Here it is for $124 (versus $140 for the 6350): http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FX-Series-...ds=amd+fx+6300

I'd like to see reviews of the 6350 before I pass judgment on whether it's worth another $15. It all depends what the load operating frequency is.

I saw a review the other day but damned if I can find it.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Here it is for $124 (versus $140 for the 6350): http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FX-Series-...ds=amd+fx+6300

I'd like to see reviews of the 6350 before I pass judgment on whether it's worth another $15. It all depends what the load operating frequency is.

The 6350 does have a 125 watt tdp vs 100 I believe for the 6300. Up to the purchaser I guess if the extra performance is worth the extra power. To me if you can get them at the same price, maybe the 6350, but if it were more expensive, just stick with the 6300. Looking at the clocks, I dont think the performance increase could be more than 10 or 15 percent.

 

[SlickR12345]

Get an I5 3570k, its 200 euros. You can get a very good mobo for 60-80 as well with USB 3.0, PCI-E 3.0 and sata 3 and use those 60 for 8GB 1600MHz ram

 

[Bubbleawsome]

building from scratch then its crazy not to go intel. Haswell will be out in 3 weeks so maybe an i3 cpu from that will be a good idea.

Not really, wait for haswell then get a 2000 or 3000 series i3. Cheaper.

and just sell those silly old cards and put the money towards a modern single gpu. even a $140 gtx650 ti boost will beat that setup while using nearly 200 watts less.

+1

 

[toyota]

Not really, wait for haswell then get a 2000 or 3000 series i3. Cheaper.

+1

Haswell will just take over at the same price points and its likely prices may not go down much if at all.

 

[Maximilian]

For the budget, an AMD FX 6300 should be good enough. Much better than the i3's in the same price range.

This.

 

[Mopetar]

I may be out in left field here but throwing $300 at an upgrade just so your 280 GTX SLI won't be CPU limited just seems like throwing good money after bad.

The whole system is rather outdated at this point, you'd be better off holding onto your $300 and waiting it out another year so you can upgrade both the CPU and GPU to something more modern at the same time IMO.

I agree. The system is getting to the point where it may be best to just move on. If you're going to upgrade the motherboard, you may as well just get a new GPU and other components as well.

The other alternative is to get a cheap quad core Phenom, in which case you wouldn't need to upgrade the motherboard. Looks like there's a 9950 Black Edition on eBay for ~$60. There are various other models that are going for less (as low as $20), so you don't even need to go that high.

There's also this action which you might be able to get really cheap, but I don't expect it to stay that low ($6 at time of posting): http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Phenom-X4-9950-Black-Edition-Quad-Core-2-6GHz-AM2-HD995ZXAJ4BGH-/190837602939?pt=CPUs&hash=item2c6eceba7b

 

[infoiltrator]

First look for a deal on an SLI motherboard.
You may find that the most difficult to do.
Next is RAM prices.
Last is CPU.
Is this a general use or specific gaming?
Pentium G860s have been under $70, Pentium II 965 $85-95, I3 3220 $120-130, FX-6300 $130-140.
Figure in a cooler for significant overclocking if possible or wanted.
An SLI motherboard with good VRMs and heatsink seems indicated.

 

[infoiltrator]

This looks like the cheapest decent SLI board, Asus Z68 Refurbished
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...O-PB-R&cat=MBB
I would probably go with a G860 at $70 (amazon)to see what plays
Or shop a used I3/I5 in For Sale
The I3 3220 is better than a I3 2100. BIOS may need update
SAMPLE I5 2500K $160 NIB (UH OH OLD POST)
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2282774&highlight=2400

you may be able to find a first generation I7/motherboard combo around $200 used

try Market Place or For sale, here, Overclock.net, Overclockers.com, Hardforums?! (Hardocp)
Or do a "Wanted AD here?

An I3 3220 performs as well as a Phenom II for about $30 more new.
but Intel chips are easier to find used at lower prices, in my experience