As an alternative viewpoint to the endless Intel hype everywhere
, I would suggest the FX-8120 instead of the FX-8150. If you understand how processors are rated, you would realise that the essential differences between the two are the default settings for the multipliers (which are unlocked anyway). I should point out that both of these were released with multipliers set way too low, and need to be overclocked to get the best out of them. If you are reluctant to do this, then the FX-8150 would be a better choice, as it will run CloD at 3.90GHz (state P1) by default.
I use AMD OverDrive (AOD) for overclocking, and it really is very simple. This also allows me to keep all the power saving features enabled, which is beneficial with Bulldozer, particularly at higher clocks. Subsequent BIOS updates for my mobo have also improved performance as manufacturers have come to grips with how BD operates, which should improve in future. If you are considering going this route, PM me and we can discuss it further, or we can do it here and maybe provide some enlightenment in the sea of Intel blue
CloD currently loads all eight cores at about 30% on my cpu, and performance is very good (one of the benefits of the DirectX 11 API). This wasn’t the case before the latest beta update, where it couldn’t quite match that of my previous 3.80GHz Phenom-II 965. Even at times when the frame rate is lower (eg, over London), it is very smooth with very little in the way of stutters. Hopefully the next update will improve things further.
Multi-gpu’s are currently not much of a benefit in CloD, although some users have reported some success. I know that they have stated that this will be fully supported at some point, but I would suggest holding off on going this route at the moment.
Even though I am a died-in-the-wool AMD fan, I would also suggest a 3570k (or 2500k if they’re available) if you wanted to take the safest route – this cpu is in excess of what you would require to run any game, and should reasonably last a long time (I detest the company, not necessarily their products). You would also not need to overclock it to at the best out of it, which is currently the case with BD.
But Bulldozer is not nearly as poor a performer as most would have you believe. Just to add to the review links:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/review...roduction.html