Intel vs AMD

[Graptik]

My current specs:
CPU: AMD FX 6350@3.9GHZ
GPU: GTX 970
RAM: 8GB
PSU: Aerocool Integrator 500W 80+ Certified
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 6.0
I'm looking at upgrading my CPU since my GPU load only stays around 50-60% and I think it may be because of my CPU, but I'm not entirely sure. If I can't fix the problem without upgrading my CPU, I'm just looking for a CPU that will allow me to get the 99% GPU usage that I should be getting. I'm either looking at the AMD FX-8350 or an i5 4690. My question is: Will the AMD FX-8350 allow me to use all of my GPU?
I've seen people with that setup on YouTube get 99% GPU load, and AMD is looking to be the more attractive option since it's cheaper and I wouldn't have to change my motherboard. I only play at 720p, so I don't need a CPU to give me more frames, just to use all of my GPU. Any advice is much appreciated, thanks!

 

[ThePinnacleOfPro]

Personally, I would go for the 4690k as it is only £10 more and is the 'k' version which means it has the unlocked multiplier- can overclock them later on with a decent water cooler to 4.6ghz comfortably. Intel also tends to be a safer bet as they have much lower temps which means longer life time. The 8 cores really do not make any difference in the real world. And no, the 4690k wouldn't bottleneck your GPU.

 

[cdabc123]

a 4690 kills the 8350 in just about everything

 

[Graptik]

Personally, I would go for the 4690k as it is only £10 more and is the 'k' version which means it has the unlocked multiplier- can overclock them later on with a decent water cooler to 4.6ghz comfortably. Intel also tends to be a safer bet as they have much lower temps which means longer life time. The 8 cores really do not make any difference in the real world. And no, the 4690k wouldn't bottleneck your GPU.

Thanks!
Do you think the FX-8350 would bottleneck my GPU and do you think that my GPU is currently bottlenecked?

 

[migronesien]

How many fps are you getting? Because a 970 at just 720p will probably never use more than 50-60% of it's power to get you to 60fps straight.
But you're also right on the bottleneck. You could minimize (in CPU heavy games) it or maybe even get completely rid of it with a bit OCing. You'd just need an aftermarket CPU cooler.

But if you're getting a new CPU anyway than performance wise easily Intel. But keep in mind, that you need a new motherboard and probably a new Windows copy too, because they are bound to motherboards.

 

[Graptik]

How many fps are you getting? Because a 970 at just 720p will probably never use more than 50-60% of it's power to get you to 60fps straight.
But you're also right on the bottleneck. You could minimize (in CPU heavy games) it or maybe even get completely rid of it with a bit OCing. You'd just need an aftermarket CPU cooler.

Without V-Sync I barley break 70FPS in most games.
I do already have an aftermarket cooling but unfortunately any overclock I try (even just a 100MHz OC) completely breaks my games.

 

[migronesien]

How many fps are you getting? Because a 970 at just 720p will probably never use more than 50-60% of it's power to get you to 60fps straight.
But you're also right on the bottleneck. You could minimize (in CPU heavy games) it or maybe even get completely rid of it with a bit OCing. You'd just need an aftermarket CPU cooler.

Without V-Sync I barley break 70FPS in most games.
I do already have an aftermarket cooling but unfortunately any overclock I try (even just a 100MHz OC) completely breaks my games.

Isn't 70 enough? 😀 Or do you got a 120hz+ screen?
Anyway the 8350 won't bottleneck the 970 in most cases. But an i5 4690(k) will still get you more fps, especially in CPU heavy stuff like GTAV. But the Intel route is also way more expensive.

 

[ThePinnacleOfPro]

I checked the power consumption of your system on http://powersupplycalculator.net/ and it is just 320w so that rules out the PSU so it must be your 6350 which is bottlenecking your graphics card in my opinion

 

[Graptik]

How many fps are you getting? Because a 970 at just 720p will probably never use more than 50-60% of it's power to get you to 60fps straight.
But you're also right on the bottleneck. You could minimize (in CPU heavy games) it or maybe even get completely rid of it with a bit OCing. You'd just need an aftermarket CPU cooler.

Without V-Sync I barley break 70FPS in most games.
I do already have an aftermarket cooling but unfortunately any overclock I try (even just a 100MHz OC) completely breaks my games.

Isn't 70 enough? 😀 Or do you got a 120hz+ screen?
Anyway the 8350 won't bottleneck the 970 in most cases. But an i5 4690(k) will still get you more fps, especially in CPU heavy stuff like GTAV. But the Intel route is also way more expensive.

Whilst 70 is great, it doesn't stay at 70 unfortunately. I get frequent stutters (that usually correlate with a drop in GPU usage) and on some games, an example being assassin's creed syndicate, I get an unstable 40, and so have to limit it to 30 🙁. Also, it sucks to pay so much for a GPU and only get half of it's power. Look's like I'm going for an FX-8350 then.

 

[bystander]

As long as you are getting to desired FPS, you don't need to remove the bottleneck. Something is always a bottleneck, but it doesn't matter if you are happy with the results. You can probably turn up settings of AA on the GPU to use up some of the unused power.

 

[ThePinnacleOfPro]

although haven't said that, 70fps is a very good framerate so unless you desperately want more I wouldn't bother upgrading just yet

 

[Graptik]

I checked the power consumption of your system on http://powersupplycalculator.net/ and it is just 320w so that rules out the PSU so it must be your 6350 which is bottlenecking your graphics card in my opinion

I had someone else here tell me that my PSU is "utter garbage", so the fact that you found it only uses 320w is quite surprising. Looks like you saved me some money there, since I was going to upgrde it. Unless I still should?

 

[ThePinnacleOfPro]

I checked the power consumption of your system on http://powersupplycalculator.net/ and it is just 320w so that rules out the PSU so it must be your 6350 which is bottlenecking your graphics card in my opinion

I had someone else here tell me that my PSU is "utter garbage", so the fact that you found it only uses 320w is quite surprising. Looks like you saved me some money there, since I was going to upgrde it. Unless I still should?

Well if you run SSD's etc I would allow for an extra 15-20w but you'd still be well within the boundaries, and unless your system crashes frequently I can't see there being anything wrong with your current one

 

[Graptik]

Thank you all for the great answers, it's really helped me make a decision!
One strange thing I just thought I would mention is that I have seen my GPU usage climb above 60% in two situations. One being in 3DMark and the other in Shadow of Mordor (where i get 100+ FPS on ultra). I must've tried about 50 games with V-Sync off and have only seen a load above 60% in these 2 scenarios, where it was 90%+.