G4560 or something better?

[tjd7687]

I'm considering upgrading my 8 year old build to something a little better. I've read a lot about this new Pentium G4560, sounds pretty good for a budget build, which I do have a budget, but I'm wanting to know others' opinions on if I should splurge just a bit more to get a fairly better CPU that may handle gaming a bit better and for a bit longer, too? I play a lot of COD, GTA V, Battlefield, etc, and plan on gaming in the future. So with that in mind, as well as a smaller budget for a new CPU, any recommendations on CPU's? Thank you!

 

[clutchc]

If your budget limits you to the 2C/4T G4560, then that would be the way to go. Be sure to buy a good motherboard so you can upgrade the CPU in the future to one that is OC'able.

 

[tjd7687]

If your budget limits you to the 2C/4T G4560, then that would be the way to go. Be sure to buy a good motherboard so you can upgrade the CPU in the future to one that is OC'able.

 

[boosted1g]

The G4560 is a great bang for buck CPU and is so close to i3 performance that there is no i3 that is worth the increase in cost. This makes the next sensible upgrade from the G4560 an intel i5 (or Ryzen 5).

The titles you listed are mostly CPU intensive so G4560 is certianly going to hold those games back if you also have a higher end GPU (like a 1060 or AMD 580).
So in short if you can afford it in your unlisted budget then get an i5/Ryzen 5. If not then G4560 will provide you great medium end performance for a great price today, and ample room to upgrade in the future.

 

[raisonjohn]

I'm considering upgrading my 8 year old build to something a little better. I've read a lot about this new Pentium G4560, sounds pretty good for a budget build, which I do have a budget, but I'm wanting to know others' opinions on if I should splurge just a bit more to get a fairly better CPU that may handle gaming a bit better and for a bit longer, too? I play a lot of COD, GTA V, Battlefield, etc, and plan on gaming in the future. So with that in mind, as well as a smaller budget for a new CPU, any recommendations on CPU's? Thank you!

The Pentium G4560 (2-core / 4-thread) is the best budget-oriented CPU as of this date that is geared towards gaming. Going for the G4560 (which is an Intel 7th-gen CPU with a LGA1151 pinout) gives you the opportunity to upgrade to better Intel CPUs (such as the i5-7500 and the i7-7700). As it is, the G4560 can handle powerful graphics card in the 1080p/60Hz gaming realm (such as the GTX 1050 Ti, RX 470/570, GTX 1060-3GB and even up to a GTX 1060-6GB/RX 480/580).

The above-mentioned GPUs won't let you max out all the AAA games you mentioned in constant 60fps. Most likely, with a GTX 1060-6GB or RX 580 on Ultra Details, those games would hover around 30fps to 40fps. Decreasing slightly some of the in-game graphics would allow you to reach 60fps on a G4560 when paired with a good GPU.

If you want a beefier CPU, the main intention would be what the above can't accomplish, i.e., getting 60++ fps on Ultra, as well as handling much more powerful GPUs (such as the GTX 1070/1080/1080Ti) on higher resolution/higher refresh rate gaming.

As a starting point, given a budget-constrained upgrade, the G4560 (paired with an affordable B250-chipset motherboard) would give you a good upgrade path in the future. If you can squeeze the budget some more, an i5-7500 (4-cores / 4-threads) would be a good recommended non-overclockable CPU as an alternative to the G4560.

If you are open also to an AMD build, instead of the above-mentioned Intel CPUs, a good price/performance CPU is the new Ryzen 5 1600. It has 6-core/12-thread, low TDP, and overclockable. The costs sits between the G4560 and the i5-7500. Pair the Ryzen 5 1600 with a B350-chipset motherboard and you are all set to game now as well as opportunity to upgrade to much powerful CPU in the future in the AM4 socket/platform.

 

[tjd7687]

The G4560 is a great bang for buck CPU and is so close to i3 performance that there is no i3 that is worth the increase in cost. This makes the next sensible upgrade from the G4560 an intel i5 (or Ryzen 5).

The titles you listed are mostly CPU intensive so G4560 is certianly going to hold those games back if you also have a higher end GPU (like a 1060 or AMD 580).
So in short if you can afford it in your unlisted budget then get an i5/Ryzen 5. If not then G4560 will provide you great medium end performance for a great price today, and ample room to upgrade in the future.

 

[tjd7687]

If your budget limits you to the 2C/4T G4560, then that would be the way to go. Be sure to buy a good motherboard so you can upgrade the CPU in the future to one that is OC'able.

The G4560 is a great bang for buck CPU and is so close to i3 performance that there is no i3 that is worth the increase in cost. This makes the next sensible upgrade from the G4560 an intel i5 (or Ryzen 5).

The titles you listed are mostly CPU intensive so G4560 is certianly going to hold those games back if you also have a higher end GPU (like a 1060 or AMD 580).
So in short if you can afford it in your unlisted budget then get an i5/Ryzen 5. If not then G4560 will provide you great medium end performance for a great price today, and ample room to upgrade in the future.

Do you have a suggested mobo for the G4560? I was looking at the MSI B250 Gaming Pro. Thoughts?

 

[tjd7687]

The G4560 is a great bang for buck CPU and is so close to i3 performance that there is no i3 that is worth the increase in cost. This makes the next sensible upgrade from the G4560 an intel i5 (or Ryzen 5).

The titles you listed are mostly CPU intensive so G4560 is certianly going to hold those games back if you also have a higher end GPU (like a 1060 or AMD 580).
So in short if you can afford it in your unlisted budget then get an i5/Ryzen 5. If not then G4560 will provide you great medium end performance for a great price today, and ample room to upgrade in the future.

Thank you! Do you have a recommendation on an i5? I'm upgrading from an i5 760, which is about 7 years old. Ultimately, is like to stay around $150 or below. I just read so many good things on the G4560 that I just keep going back to thinking that may be my best option.

 

[tjd7687]

Sorry for the confusing thread responses. I attempted responding via my iPhone and it got messy. Anyhow, I'm open to suggestions on a better performing CPU that's still budget-friendly. I currently have a GeForce GTX 960 2GB that I plan on keeping for a little while, it's less than a year old. And I'm planning on upgrading to 16GB of DDR4 RAM. So with that in mind, any suggestions? I was hoping to keep my CPU cost around $150 or below. As for a mobo, I'd like to be at around $150 or below, too. A set that would allow me to upgrade the CPU again in the future would be awesome, too. I've had a little experience with OC'g, so if I have that as an option, that would be awesome, but it definitely is not a necessity or game changer. As mentioned earlier, I'm upgrading from my Intel i5 760, which is about 7 years old. Currently, I can play all games on medium to high settings fairly smooth, but I am beginning to see a decline in performance lately. Everything I read on the G4560 was very good, but intimidatingly low-priced? Thanks again for all your help and suggestions, you guys are awesome!

 

[raisonjohn]

If you really want to limit your expenses, go for the G4560 + GTX 960 pair. Going from an i5-760 to a Pentium G4560 is a ~14% increase in effective speed (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Pentium-G4560-vs-Intel-Core-i5-760/3892vsm717), but, gives you the opportunity in the future to upgrade to the i5-7500 or i7-7700.

Here's how the costs would look like if you get the above-mentioned CPU (including the B250 mobo and 16GB ram):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: ASRock - B250M-HDV Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($105.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $238.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 20:40 EDT-0400

The total cost would be below your intended budget of ~$150 for the CPU and ~$150 for the mobo, as the total ~$240 cost above already includes your 16GB ram.

The G4560 will easily pair with the GTX 960 you currently have.

If you want another option, the i5-7500 + GTX 960 also works. The more powerful CPU (albeit more costly) will allow you to upgrade to much powerful GPUs (such as the GTX 1070 and above). The i5-7500 is ~50% faster in effective speed than your current i5-760 (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-7500-vs-Intel-Core-i5-760/3648vsm717). Here's how the cost would look like using the i5-7500:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7500 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($187.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B250M-HDV Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($105.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $356.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 20:44 EDT-0400

As I mentioned above, you can also opt for an AMD Ryzen build, using the Ryzen 5 1600 (6-core/12-thread, overclockable CPU), as you mentioned you *might* want to try OC'ing. If so, the Ryzen 5 1600 is also ~50% faster in effective speed compared to your current i5-760 (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-Ryzen-5-1600-vs-Intel-Core-i5-760/3919vsm717) - but gives you the opportunity to OC, unlike the locked i5-7500 above. Here's how costs would look like using the AMD Ryzen build as suggested (with a B350 mobo and a 16GB ram with faster speeds):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($126.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $409.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 20:47 EDT-0400

 

[tjd7687]

I'm considering upgrading my 8 year old build to something a little better. I've read a lot about this new Pentium G4560, sounds pretty good for a budget build, which I do have a budget, but I'm wanting to know others' opinions on if I should splurge just a bit more to get a fairly better CPU that may handle gaming a bit better and for a bit longer, too? I play a lot of COD, GTA V, Battlefield, etc, and plan on gaming in the future. So with that in mind, as well as a smaller budget for a new CPU, any recommendations on CPU's? Thank you!

The Pentium G4560 (2-core / 4-thread) is the best budget-oriented CPU as of this date that is geared towards gaming. Going for the G4560 (which is an Intel 7th-gen CPU with a LGA1151 pinout) gives you the opportunity to upgrade to better Intel CPUs (such as the i5-7500 and the i7-7700). As it is, the G4560 can handle powerful graphics card in the 1080p/60Hz gaming realm (such as the GTX 1050 Ti, RX 470/570, GTX 1060-3GB and even up to a GTX 1060-6GB/RX 480/580).

The above-mentioned GPUs won't let you max out all the AAA games you mentioned in constant 60fps. Most likely, with a GTX 1060-6GB or RX 580 on Ultra Details, those games would hover around 30fps to 40fps. Decreasing slightly some of the in-game graphics would allow you to reach 60fps on a G4560 when paired with a good GPU.

If you want a beefier CPU, the main intention would be what the above can't accomplish, i.e., getting 60++ fps on Ultra, as well as handling much more powerful GPUs (such as the GTX 1070/1080/1080Ti) on higher resolution/higher refresh rate gaming.

As a starting point, given a budget-constrained upgrade, the G4560 (paired with an affordable B250-chipset motherboard) would give you a good upgrade path in the future. If you can squeeze the budget some more, an i5-7500 (4-cores / 4-threads) would be a good recommended non-overclockable CPU as an alternative to the G4560.

If you are open also to an AMD build, instead of the above-mentioned Intel CPUs, a good price/performance CPU is the new Ryzen 5 1600. It has 6-core/12-thread, low TDP, and overclockable. The costs sits between the G4560 and the i5-7500. Pair the Ryzen 5 1600 with a B350-chipset motherboard and you are all set to game now as well as opportunity to upgrade to much powerful CPU in the future in the AM4 socket/platform.

Great, thank you. What if I went with the G4560, 16GB of DDR4 2400 RAM, my GeForce GTX 960, all plugged in to a MSI B250 Gaming Pro mobo? Do you think that would be a decent setup for higher-end games? I'm not looking for professional absolute crystal 60+ FPS constant on ultra settings, but of course, I'd like the graphics to be as best as possible, with a smaller budget for the time being, with the option to upgrade the CPU in the future, too. Thoughts?

 

[tjd7687]

If you really want to limit your expenses, go for the G4560 + GTX 960 pair. Going from an i5-760 to a Pentium G4560 is a ~14% increase in effective speed (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Pentium-G4560-vs-Intel-Core-i5-760/3892vsm717), but, gives you the opportunity in the future to upgrade to the i5-7500 or i7-7700.

Here's how the costs would look like if you get the above-mentioned CPU (including the B250 mobo and 16GB ram):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: ASRock - B250M-HDV Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($105.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $238.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 20:40 EDT-0400

The total cost would be below your intended budget of ~$150 for the CPU and ~$150 for the mobo, as the total ~$240 cost above already includes your 16GB ram.

The G4560 will easily pair with the GTX 960 you currently have.

If you want another option, the i5-7500 + GTX 960 also works. The more powerful CPU (albeit more costly) will allow you to upgrade to much powerful GPUs (such as the GTX 1070 and above). The i5-7500 is ~50% faster in effective speed than your current i5-760 (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-7500-vs-Intel-Core-i5-760/3648vsm717). Here's how the cost would look like using the i5-7500:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7500 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($187.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock - B250M-HDV Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($105.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $356.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 20:44 EDT-0400

As I mentioned above, you can also opt for an AMD Ryzen build, using the Ryzen 5 1600 (6-core/12-thread, overclockable CPU), as you mentioned you *might* want to try OC'ing. If so, the Ryzen 5 1600 is also ~50% faster in effective speed compared to your current i5-760 (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/AMD-Ryzen-5-1600-vs-Intel-Core-i5-760/3919vsm717) - but gives you the opportunity to OC, unlike the locked i5-7500 above. Here's how costs would look like using the AMD Ryzen build as suggested (with a B350 mobo and a 16GB ram with faster speeds):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock - AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($126.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $409.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 20:47 EDT-0400

Wow! This is great. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this all together for me, much appreciated. I'm going to have to consider the higher build I think.

 

[raisonjohn]

Great, thank you. What if I went with the G4560, 16GB of DDR4 2400 RAM, my GeForce GTX 960, all plugged in to a MSI B250 Gaming Pro mobo? Do you think that would be a decent setup for higher-end games? I'm not looking for professional absolute crystal 60+ FPS constant on ultra settings, but of course, I'd like the graphics to be as best as possible, with a smaller budget for the time being, with the option to upgrade the CPU in the future, too. Thoughts?

Yes, the would be my recommendation (see my latest reply to you above with the costs included).

 

[tjd7687]

Great, thank you. What if I went with the G4560, 16GB of DDR4 2400 RAM, my GeForce GTX 960, all plugged in to a MSI B250 Gaming Pro mobo? Do you think that would be a decent setup for higher-end games? I'm not looking for professional absolute crystal 60+ FPS constant on ultra settings, but of course, I'd like the graphics to be as best as possible, with a smaller budget for the time being, with the option to upgrade the CPU in the future, too. Thoughts?

Yes, the would be my recommendation (see my latest reply to you above with the costs included).

Excellent! Last question I'm hoping if you don't mind. As for the mobo, I'm wanting an ATX, (not micro-atx). But I want something that allows for OC'g for someday down the road when I upgrade to an overclockable CPU. It doesn't look like this Mobo, or hardly any B250's from what I'm seeing, allow OC'g? - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130998&ignorebbr=1

 

[raisonjohn]

Excellent! Last question I'm hoping if you don't mind. As for the mobo, I'm wanting an ATX, (not micro-atx). But I want something that allows for OC'g for someday down the road when I upgrade to an overclockable CPU. It doesn't look like this Mobo, or hardly any B250's from what I'm seeing, allow OC'g? - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130998&ignorebbr=1

That's correct, the B250's (as well as the H270's) are intended for non-OC'able/locked CPUs. You have to shop around for a Z270-chipset motherboard to be paired with OC'able/unlocked Intel CPUs (the ones with the "K", such as the i5-7600K and the i7-7700K).

You can use the G4560 or the i5-7500 in the mean time (as they both will physically fit on a Z270 motherboard).

Here's a suggested build, using a G4560 + Z270 ATX motherboard (considering future OC'able CPU and ATX size as you preferred) + 16GB high-speed RAM (considering also OC'ing, instead of the 2400MHz max. in my earlier suggestion for B250 mobos):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI - Z270-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($114.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($126.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $311.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 21:07 EDT-0400

All-in-all this build will cost you just above your ~$300 declared budget - but, it now includes an OC'able motherboard and an OC'able RAM for your future use when you upgrade your G4560 to an i5-7600K or i7-7700K.

 

[tjd7687]

Excellent! Last question I'm hoping if you don't mind. As for the mobo, I'm wanting an ATX, (not micro-atx). But I want something that allows for OC'g for someday down the road when I upgrade to an overclockable CPU. It doesn't look like this Mobo, or hardly any B250's from what I'm seeing, allow OC'g? - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130998&ignorebbr=1

That's correct, the B250's (as well as the H270's) are intended for non-OC'able/locked CPUs. You have to shop around for a Z270-chipset motherboard to be paired with OC'able/unlocked Intel CPUs (the ones with the "K", such as the i5-7600K and the i7-7700K).

You can use the G4560 or the i5-7500 in the mean time (as they both will physically fit on a Z270 motherboard).

Here's a suggested build, using a G4560 + Z270 ATX motherboard (considering future OC'able CPU and ATX size as you preferred) + 16GB high-speed RAM (considering also OC'ing, instead of the 2400MHz max. in my earlier suggestion for B250 mobos):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: MSI - Z270-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($114.99 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($126.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $311.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-22 21:07 EDT-0400

All-in-all this build will cost you just above your ~$300 declared budget - but, it now includes an OC'able motherboard and an OC'able RAM for your future use when you upgrade your G4560 to an i5-7600K or i7-7700K.

Ahh! Wow, you are good Thanks again, can't say it enough. I'm likely to go with this now and maybe in a year or two, I'll upgrade the CPU to something with a little more nuts. Enjoy your evening! ~ Tony

 

[raisonjohn]

We're more than welcome to help you out! Good luck in your build

 

[tjd7687]

@raisonjohn- sorry to bug you again. Question about the mobo. I was looking at others that match in comparison to the last one you recommended. I found this one and I wanted your opinion on if it would be just as good, if not better than the one you recommended previously? - https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16813130973/specs?ignorebbr=true%2ctrue

 

[raisonjohn]

@raisonjohn- sorry to bug you again. Question about the mobo. I was looking at others that match in comparison to the last one you recommended. I found this one and I wanted your opinion on if it would be just as good, if not better than the one you recommended previously? - https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16813130973/specs?ignorebbr=true%2ctrue

The link you posted reverts back to the Newegg main page. Anyway, from the product number on the URL (N82E16813130973), you are referring to the MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon.

That 150-dollar MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard is definitely better in features than the more affordable 115-dollar MSI Z270-A PRO I recommended when we were previously prioritizing costs/budget.

Adding $35, you'd get the following on the Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon (versus the Z270-A PRO):
- 10 Power Phases (versus only 6)
- 3 PCIe x16 Slots at x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4 modes (versus 2 at x16/x4)
- 2-Way SLI and 3-Way/2-Way CrossFire support (versus 2-Way CrossFire only)
- 3 PCIe x1 Slots (versus 4)
- 2 M.2 Sockets, with 1 having an M.2 Shield/Armor (versus only 1, with no M.2 Shield/Armor)
- Intel I219V LAN Controller (versus Realtek RTL8111H)
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec (versus Realtek ALC892)
- 8 total USB ports at the rear panel, including USB3.1 ports (versus 6 total, with no USB3.1 ports)
- RGB Lighting and a 4-pin RGB LED Header (versus none)
- RAM Steel Armor (versus none)
- I/O Shroud/Armor with RGB Lighting (versus none)
- Standard-sized ATX at 305mm x 244mm (versus slightly narrower ATX at 305mm x 225mm)

The rest of the ports/connections/features (such as number of RAM slots, number of SATA ports, number of internal USB headers, etc.) are the same for both boards.

So, with the above perks/differences, it is up to you if you think you would be needing such features or not, to justify spending $35 more. If you need the features such as SLI, 2x M.2 SSDs, better LAN, better audio, USB3.1 ports, RGB lighting, and other physical attributes, then, by all means, the MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon would suit you better than the MSI Z270-A PRO.