Is an i5-3570k + rHD 78501GB better than a 3350P + 78702GB?

[hammereditor]

I am planning to build a budget gaming PC, and I like the FX-6300 six-core 3.5 GHz CPU. I am going to OC it to ~4.4 GHz. I will be getting 1 AMD Radeon HD 7850 video card with 1 GB GDDR5 memory with the build. However, it's very likely that in a year or two, I would get another identical video card and run them in CrossfireX mode. I am worried that the FX-6300, even being OC'ed, will bottleneck the 7850's.

As for the type of games I am planning to play, I want an answer based on the CPU-GPU balance of an average game.
If there would be a b-neck, I could get a core i5-3570k along with a Z77 chipset, but that would make me go down to the Radeon HD 7770 GHz edition. The 7850 is about 30% better on avg. in gaming, according to anandtech benchmarks.
The reason I want CFX is upgradability without having to replace the old card and lose the investment in it.

This OP is outdated. Please use my second post.

 

[rds1220]

I am planning to build a budget gaming PC, and I like the FX-6300 six-core 3.5 GHz CPU. I am going to OC it to ~4.4 GHz. I will be getting 1 AMD Radeon HD 7850 video card with 1 GB GDDR5 memory with the build. However, it's very likely that in a year or two, I would get another identical video card and run them in CrossfireX mode. I am worried that the FX-6300, even being OC'ed, will bottleneck the 7850's.

As for the type of games I am planning to play, I want an answer based on the CPU-GPU balance of an average game.
If there would be a b-neck, I could get a core i5-3570k along with a Z77 chipset, but that would make me go down to the Radeon HD 7770 GHz edition. The 7850 is about 30% better on avg. in gaming, according to anandtech benchmarks.
The reason I want CFX is upgradability without having to replace the old card and lose the investment in it.

So will dual radeon HD 7850's b-neck a FX-6300 @ 4.4 GHz?

The I5 would be better and would not bottleneck any modern video card. I don't think the Piledriver will bottleneck two 7850's either but again if you are deciding between a 6300 and an I5 I would go with the I5 without a second thought.

 

[twelve25]

Depends on the game, honestly. FX-6300 is the next best thing to an i5 for gaming and most games will not max out your CPU before your GPU anyway.

But I can tell you that 1GB will bottleneck resolutions where crossfire would be most useful. Don't get the 1GB version if you plan to CF later.

Crossfire often sounds like a good idea, but generally there are single GPU solutions that are much better for similar amounts of money. In a year, you'll probably be able to get $100 used for a 7850 and maybe there will probably be an new card for $250 that will be better (or as good with half the power use and less issues) vs a second 7850. SO you sell the old card on ebay and buy a good single card solution and out of pocket cost is fairly low.

 

[ASHISH65]

Go with i5 3570k better than fx 6300.

 

[twelve25]

Go with i5 3570k better than fx 6300.

Agreed, but is 3570 + 7770 better than fx6300 + 7850? I highly doubt it.

 

[drew13]

3570k is $169 at Microcenter, FX6300 is $139. Go with the 3570k, it is much better performance and you can see the proof here: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=701. And be careful when looking at the test because for some, lower is better.

 

[drew13]

One more thing to note is, one high end card is better than 2 lower end cards because there is less heat in your case, it is much more quiet, and it uses much less power.

 

[twelve25]

3570k is $169 at Microcenter, FX6300 is $139. Go with the 3570k, it is much better performance and you can see the proof here: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=701. And be careful when looking at the test because for some, lower is better.

Remember that not everyone lives by a Microcenter.

And he said he'll have to drop to an 7770. That will give him 60% of the performance in EVERY game, whereas going with a 6300 just gives worse performance in CPU limited games or at very high resolutions.

7770 vs 7850: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=549

And if you pick GPU limited games, which are more common, honestly, it almost doesn't matter what CPU you have: http://www.techspot.com/review/586-amd-fx-8350-fx-6300/page6.html
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/fx-8350-8320-6300-4300_6.html#sect0
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/fx-8350-vishera-review,review-32550-14.html


If you pick certain games or resolutions which stress CPU more, as CPU reviewers often do, then the i5 strength shows. Typically, the CPU is not the bottleneck.

 

[hammereditor]

Edit: This is my final decision:
I'm not sacrificing so much GPU perf. just for an unlocked CPU.
If I get a 3570k, the GPU will be a 7850 2GB or higher.
If I get a 3350P, the GPU will be $200-$235. I think this would lead to better gaming.



I looked at benchmarks, and the 3570k had 50% better perf.-per-core. I will save up to get that and not get an FX-6300. I'm willing to wait.
Also, I could get a core i5-3350P with a H77 chipset, which will save $60 on the mobo + CPU. I could get a $200-$210 video card if I did that. The 3350P deal also shaves off more $ because my brother will give me free RAM if I give him my CPU cooler and thermal paste, since I don't need it for a locked build. Looking at more benchmarks, the FX-6300 OC'd to 4.4 GHz is only 15% slower than the 3350P at stock.

So which is better: getting a core i5-3570k @ 4.5 GHz with a 7850 1GB video card or an i5-3350P with a radeon HD 7870, possibly with 2 GB?

 

[hammereditor]

Best answer selected by hammereditor.

 

[payturr]

The 7850 isn't a bad card, especially if you get a power edition from MSI - you can overclock the hell out of that and get 7870 performance. The only thing is, you may not have the same amount of video RAM, but thats not that important unless you're doing a multi-monitor set up. I would go with the 3570K because having an unlocked CPU helps, and you most likely are gonna replace the GPU in a year or two.

 

[twelve25]

unlocked i5 and better video card.