i7-3930k vs i7-4930k vs. AMD FX 8350/9590: Which is better

darkpowrjd

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Nov 17, 2010
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I have a bit of an issue about which one would be the better deal. I have a choice between two hexacore Intel processors (there is a choice of an AMD processor, as well, but I don't know if that is good from what I heard).

I can get the last gen i7-3930k off of Amazon.com (planning on doing the used route) for $460 ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used ), or I can get the current gen i7-4930k for $506 ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used ). I need to buy the memory and mobo for it, as well, so I need to stretch the buck for as much as it can here.

The choice would be obvious if it wasn't for what causes the confusion: I want the best out of the two for my game recording and video rendering, and I wouldn't mind having as current of hardware as I can. I was going on TotalBiscuit's about page on YouTube, and it lists that he has the 3930k.

The problems here is that, one, I don't know how current that page is (it does say that he has two Titans, which are freaking expensive, but those did come out recently), and two, it might make me think twice about the 4930k, unless there could be that opportunity to have something even slightly better than he has.

Then, posting this on other sites, some have suggested going with AMD instead, but I can't get a straight answer. I have been an AMD guy for a while now, using the Phenom II x4 for a while now, and the x86 is sort of delicious for the money if the performance is what I want.

But what about things like performance? Is it worth it to get the current gen for the higher price point for the better performance that it could get, or go with the cheaper one that might be just as good? I have to worry about future proofing this thing to some extent, as well. I might go with the current one, but I would like to have your opinion on it. What do you think I should get in this situation?

And please, no fanboys here. :)
 
Forget AMD in the high end segment. Those 2 AMD CPUs compare to I5s.

The difference between the 3930K and 4930K is small, but since they go for around the same price and the 4930K is a little better, go with that.

HOWEVER I would suggest that you consider just getting a 4770K and a Z87 chipset board. Especially if you are unsure if you really need those extra 2 cores. The 2011 platform is heavily overpriced in my opinion and should only be used if you are gonna be making money from the faster render times you get from it above 1150.