Best cpu motherboard combo for under $350

[philly3290]

I upgraded my graphics card this summer, and realized that bottlenecks are a thing. I had a pre built hp p7 1414, and I upgraded the case psu and graphics to a corsair vengeance c70, 750 watt psu and gigabyte gtx 970.

My friends are all big amd fans, and I was going to get an fx 8350 but I'm having second thoughts. I'm not sure if intel would be better for under $350.

Thanks

 

[raisonjohn]

I upgraded my graphics card this summer, and realized that bottlenecks are a thing. I had a pre built hp p7 1414, and I upgraded the case psu and graphics to a corsair vengeance c70, 750 watt psu and gigabyte gtx 970.

My friends are all big amd fans, and I was going to get an fx 8350 but I'm having second thoughts. I'm not sure if intel would be better for under $350.

Thanks

This will remove the bottleneck and the best combo for under $350.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $348.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-21 16:09 EDT-0400

 

[philly3290]

Wouldn't the extra cores that and provides be better for gaming? And if not gaming, then having multiple tasks open at once? Or would improved single core performance be more desirable in these areas?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Single core performance is more important for gaming ATM. The four FX8350 modules are significantly weaker than Intel cores. It will run multiple windows just fine too. Only video editing and VM will really benefit from the FX 8350. Even so, once overclocked to 4.6 Ghz or more, the shear power will tell.

My choice, although I's want to spend a little more on the motherboard.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $350.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-21 18:22 EDT-0400