AMD FX-8350 vs an Intel i5 Gaming

[Andrew Youngberg]

I'm trying to make a gaming PC for under $700 but I can't decide on the CPU. I want to get the FX8350 but people have told me that i5's are better for gaming. I know i wont need 8 cores for a game but isn't 4ghz better than 3ghz? I'd like it to run games like Elder Scrolls Online, Minecraft, Counter Strike GO, and other first person shooters at a minimum of 30-40fps but I'd like to get up to 60-70fps. I've put together a list of parts that I think would go well together but I would like to know what I should add/change. Here is the list http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x99kmG

 

[rkumaran]

Its a very good build for your budget.
it you like AMD you can buy it. you wont find much difference.
you will get your required Fps in your mentioned games.
but i5 4 cores with 3ghz. will be enough for you gaming build & more power efficient.

 

[Calculatron]

If you plan on streaming and making videos, the FX-8350 would be a good choice.

However, most games are programmed to use only a couple threads, so having only a couple of really good cores, for gaming, is generally better than having several more weaker cores. This is why an I3, a dual-core with hyperthreading, often benches with the same results as an FX-8350, and sometimes does a better job; it has better individual cores.

That said, Intel and AMD have different architectures, and the clockrate (ghz) just tells you how many cycles a second - it doesn't tell you how effective each cycle is, or how fast the overall performance will be. Although faster is generally better, a 3.5 ghz Intel core is better than a 3.5 AMD core.

All this said, the current AMD FX-line is older technology (going on three years) and at the end of its life. A new product line will be rolling out in 2016, and AMD has no other plans for the AM3+ platform. So if you invest in an AM3+/FX-platform, there will be no future replacements or piece-meal upgrades. Also, the 8-cores are power hogs - not as bad as people like to portray them, but, if you pinch your pennies, that cost does add up and you do want to keep an eye on that. They're still stalwart components, though. They're perfectly fine for gaming, they just start to show their weakness at the enthusiast levels with cards above a GTX 770/960, or a R9 280X. They really shine for productivity and virtualization.

If productivity isn't your bag, then you may want to consider something in the FM2+ platform, and the Athlon 860K. That has some of AMD's newer cores that are a bit better, and don't consumer as much power. Otherwise, looking at an Intel I3 might be a pretty good choice.

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

 

[Bhavesh0723]

Both AMD and Intel are great processors.

FX 8350 and i5 4690k have better Price to Performance Ratio.

In terms of real world gaming performance you will see no difference.
the only difference will be in benchmarks and fps.

yeah you will see that i5 has more fps and benchmarking score than fx 8350.

but when you are playing a game you will see no difference.

and you are on a budget so fx 8350 is cheapest gaming processor at all.

but if you are willing to pay a more then get the i5.

however in future most games will use multi threads (more cores) so the fx 8350 will be perfect at that time.(we cant predict the future though, its just a possiblity)

I m not expert.I was one of you who constantly ask questions in this fine community and I got educated.

Lastly the decision is yours.

 

[synphul]

An i5 build would be similar in price.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($101.79 @ Amazon)
Total: $720.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-20 05:09 EDT-0400

The windows os in this build is a little more expensive but allows you to reinstall on another system if you end up changing motherboards at some point. With the oem version you're saving a few dollars and stuck with a copy of windows tied to that motherboard which could present a problem and end up forcing you to buy another copy of windows if you end up changing the mobo.

 

[Febreeze_]

Do not fall under the misconception tha more ghz and cores means faster CPU. Cores and Ghz are not equal. AMD's piledriver cores are basically one core split into 2 modules. Making then each slower. Intel creates 4 core lower clocked CPU's but have a much better built architecture built on a newer manufacturing node (22 nanometers). This makes i5's geared more to the common gamer and fx series to streamers, and editing.
However, they are both great CPU's for your money. Personally I would go with intel for a better upgrade path ( AMD roadmap shows no new CPU's on AM3+). The choice is up to you.

REMEMBER: More cores+ More ghz is not always better.

 

[A_Used_Username]

@ Andrew Youngberg



Question : Do you live near a micro center or you can only buy from amazon?