FX-8320 with GTX 970 versus i5-4590 with R9 380

[zenmaster4life]

Looking at 2 variations of builds that are within, say, 40 bucks of each other all said and done. The main differences are the CPU and GPU combos. Both GPUs are 4GB. Which is the better gaming rig?

FX-8320 with GTX 970 (part of DIY combo deal so can't modify)
i5-4590 with R9 380 (pc part picker build so can modify)

Following the logic that the GPU is more critical in gaming performance, I would assume the 8320/970 option would be best. But hey, I am a software guy so what do I know?

Thanks!

 

[Luminary]

Get the i5-4590. An i5 Haswell build will be a much better long-term platform for gaming than anything you build around the FX-8320.

The FX 8xxx series is essentially done. The CPU's are now consistantly falling behind the intel Haswell and Skylake lines in gaming performance and aren't a good investment at this point.

 

[aeko97]

Looking at 2 variations of builds that are within, say, 40 bucks of each other all said and done. The main differences are the CPU and GPU combos. Both GPUs are 4GB. Which is the better gaming rig?

FX-8320 with GTX 970 (part of DIY combo deal so can't modify)
i5-4590 with R9 380 (pc part picker build so can modify)

Following the logic that the GPU is more critical in gaming performance, I would assume the 8320/970 option would be best. But hey, I am a software guy so what do I know?

Thanks!

Hello zenmaster4life. In my opinion, I'd rather go with a Intel & Nvidia build but if those are your only choices, I'd probably go with the i5-4590 & R9 380 because, although the graphic card plays a huge role (the major % of our gaming performance), more recent games also need good CPUs and the Intel beats AMD anyday when it comes to power consumption/perfomance, single core performance and overall performance. Intel cores are stronger and perform better. Any change of mind or other concern, ask away. The best of luck!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Intel is superior , FX is now over , go intel
i5-4590 \ R9 380

 

[qwase0123]

970 is the better gpu, i5 is the better cpu. If you're only gaming, I'd go for the 970 but anything else, i'd go with i5. Up to you though, both are great

 

[Luminary]

There really isnt' any question that the i5 is the best investment for both performance and longevity.

Get the i5-4590 R9 380 combo, you'll have great gaming performance and a better base for future upgrades.

 

[zenmaster4life]

Great info guys, thanks. What would work nicely for me is if they released the rumored GTX 960 ti, that would be the perfect pairing for my build...

 

[milk_inc]

If you are gaming go with the 970, the cpu is not bad but not as good as the i5, but anyway the new things that coming are better optimize for more core so at the end the amd processor won' t look bad at all. This will happen with directx 12 or vulkan, they will perform better with more cores.

 

[zenmaster4life]

The 8320/970 combo at newegg just sold out. So frustrating! Since this is an xmas present for my son, I have time to wait for 970 to go on sale or perhaps find a deal on a used one on Ebay. I am leaning towards just biting the bullet and going for an i5/GTX 970 build.

 

[Luminary]

An i5 + GTX 970 is a very strong pairing and will run any game you play at 1080p on ultra settings. Great gaming combo.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

i5/GTX 970 build is the best way to proceed.