Intel vs. AMD at $200-250 price range.

[frydhamstr]

Gearing up for The Witcher 3, I realized that my current processor, the FX-8150, needed an upgrade (I also got a GTX 970 recently which I'm pretty sure will be bottlenecked by an 8150). I was thinking the processor should be around $200-250 for me, and both the FX-8370 and i5-4590 are the same exact price AT $200. My current motherboard is the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 and I have an 850w power supply.

So, my question is about a comparison between the two. Should I simply upgrade my FX-8150? Or is it time I switched to Intel?

 

[patrick47018]

I'd grab an FX-8320/8350/8370 and a cooler to OC it

 

[OriginalCadaver]

If you're willing to drop 200 bucks on the processor I would go Intel all day.

 

[patrick47018]

But then he'd need a new motherboard as well. But if you are willing to spend more for a new motherboard it isn't a bad choice

 

[Jonathan Tyer]

You have to go with the 8570 since it is compatible with your board. If you were to spend, say $300, I would suggest getting the i5 5690K and the ASRock Z97 Pro3 for a grand total of $300

 

[Onus]

I'd hate to tell you to buy another AMD CPU and have it not be enough, which would be a huge waste of money. I can't imagine that the game will be unplayable with your current CPU. Get the game, and see how it does, before deciding to buy another CPU. If you need only minimal improvement, then getting a newer AMD CPU will be sufficient, but if you need a substantial improvement, you'll need to go Intel.

 

[OriginalCadaver]

True, you could grab the FX CPU and your current mobo should support it. Either of them are great processors, you're probably going to get better benchmarks on the Intel chip since you're getting better individual core performance, but if you're looking at software that utilizes more than 4 cores (not much out there right now) then the AMD CPU should score better. Patrick47018 is right that you need a new motherboard if you want to switch to Intel though.

 

[frydhamstr]

Getting a new motherboard isn't quite so important here, I'm just wondering about the processors themselves.

 

[Onus]

Well, upgrading to a newer AMD CPU is either the least expensive or most expensive choice, depending on whether or not it is sufficient. If at all possible, get the game first and see how it runs.

 

[OriginalCadaver]

If you aren't concerned with getting a new motherboard then Intel all the way. I like Onus' suggestion, get the game and see how it performs on your current rig.

 

[frydhamstr]

Alright, I have a much better idea now. Going with Onus' suggestion. Thanks for all the advice!