Amd vs Intel for gaming

[Adam Turke]

What cpu should i get to be with my GTX 970? Amd 8 core or intel i5 4690k?

 

[TechyInAZ]

i5 4690K, in general, it's better at gaming.

 

[ingtar33]

i5 4690K, in general, it's better at gaming.

all things being equal. you're 100% correct

 

[RoadWarrior57]

Is there an AMD CPU that even comes close to the i5 4690K in games? I haven't seen one. In fact, the 1st gen i5 760 from 2009 still beats most of the current best AMD CPUs in games. 8 cores? Sounds good, doesn't it? 4 cores is all you could need for gaming. Intel's i7 with 4 cores and 8 threads is a waste. The i7 4970K, however, totally owns because of its clock speed & architecture; but you gotta have deep pockets for that one and disable the hyper-threading to help it run cooler - 'cuz you don't need the 4 extra threads in games; they just create more heat. The i5 is optimum for gamers. AMD = higher wattage and mostly higher clock speeds while having noticeably less performance. Price/performance award goes to Intel. Longevity and cost of ownership award over a few years goes to Intel. If you want to have to upgrade much more frequently, pick AMD. If you only have $100 to spend on a CPU, buy a used 2nd gen Intel i5. It'll beat the pants of the new AMD unit at the same price. If you really must go AMD, I'm sorry, you haven't REALLY done your own homework.

 

[ingtar33]

Is there an AMD CPU that even comes close to the i5 4690K in games? I haven't seen one. In fact, the 1st gen i5 760 from 2009 still beats most of the current best AMD CPUs in games. 8 cores? Sounds good, doesn't it? 4 cores is all you could need for gaming. Intel's i7 with 4 cores and 8 threads is a waste. The i7 4970K, however, totally owns because of its clock speed & architecture; but you gotta have deep pockets for that one and disable the hyper-threading to help it run cooler - 'cuz you don't need the 4 extra threads in games; they just create more heat. The i5 is optimum for gamers. AMD = higher wattage and mostly higher clock speeds while having noticeably less performance. Price/performance award goes to Intel. Longevity and cost of ownership award over a few years goes to Intel. If you want to have to upgrade much more frequently, pick AMD. If you only have $100 to spend on a CPU, buy a used 2nd gen Intel i5. It'll beat the pants of the new AMD unit at the same price. If you really must go AMD, I'm sorry, you haven't REALLY done your own homework.

Well i actually have an AMD fx8 core. And i did my homework (I am an IT professional).

However your comment is most directed at gamers, and in this case you're correct. For gamers, there is little point going AMD. However, i would like to point out, if you're gaming on a 1080p monitor with a 60hz refresh, there is little point in spending more and going intel. Because even a quad core AMD will be able to get you 60fps in a modern gaming title with an overclock. Sure, there are a few exceptions (Arma3/DayZ/Total War Series). But outside of those horrible coded messes the difference between an AMD and an Intel in gaming while at 1080p and 60fps is pretty much non-existant if you don't mind overclocking the amd.

the money saved on power is a misnomer. the $$ difference on your bill between an overclocked amd 8 core and stock intel i5 would roll out to be less then $10 per year in the US. I understand power is more expensive elsewhere in the world, but the numbers make it clear arguing power bills is sorta silly in this case. this isn't an AC or refrigerator. heck your xmas lights you put up on your house this year eat FAR MORE power then a modern PC (you'd be amazed at how much power a few strings of xmas lights chews up).

There are plenty of "bottlenecks" remaining in a modern gaming computer to consider before advising someone get one brand of chip. If getting the intel means you can't get a better gpu, and if you have a 60hz monitor, and if you like overclocking, then i'd say you're probably a good candidate to get an AMD. It you like to run VMWare, and set up virtual servers there can't be a better chip under $500 then an 8 core FX cpu. If you want to do 3d encoding (not aided by your gpu) an fx 8 core will be a better option then an i5... and if you like to stream your gaming sessions using CPU powered streaming, you almost have to jump up to a 6 core intel to pace an 8 core fx.

so while i don't hesitate when asked "which is the better gaming cpu, an i5 or a fx8 core, to say the i5, that doesn't mean there isn't value or purpose to owning the AMD, or even situations which call for it over an i5. At my work, i'd rather use my 8 core FX and work from home, then use my work pcs which are haswell i5s and i7s... because frankly... for my job, my fx8320 is actually better at what i do then those intels are.