Is an Intel i5 better than an AMD FX-6300?

[CrownedEmperor312]

If so, why? The FX-6300 has more cores, same frequency and higher turbo boost. What would make the i5 better?
Thanks

 

[LucoTF]

Much higher per-core performance

4 strong cores beats 6 weak ones

 

[Snipergod87]

Intel's CPU can get more done per clock cycle vs a 6300.

Here are some basic benchmarks
http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-4690-vs-AMD-FX-6300/2311vs1555

 

[kanewolf]

Lower power required, more efficient instructions per clock. Although the 6300 has six logical cores it doesn't have six full sets of independent hardware. It has 3 sets of hardware and then they split into to two cores each. Since the two cores share resources you don''t get a 2X improvement. So you have a full quad core Intel vs a 3.5 core AMD. Depending on the i5 part the Intel CPU has more on chip cache.

 

[Mister Darius]

if you would say which i5 cpu you would like to compare....

 

[geofelt]

All the answers above are good and relevant.

Define "better"

If your usage is multithreaded apps, then the 6 threads of a FX-6300 is a very decent budget value.

If your usage is for gaming, then that is a different story.

Most games depend on one or two fast cores. Yes, there are exceptions, FSX for example. The extra 4 threads of the FX-6300 go largely unused.

The intel haswell cores are perhaps 30% more efficient per clock than the FX cores.

 

[CrownedEmperor312]

All the answers above are good and relevant.

Define "better"

Better for gaming.

 

[FinneousPJ]

Yes, it is better. That's why it also costs more.

 

[NightAntilli]

The i5 performs better but is also a lot more expensive. You'll pay double the price (200%) for maybe a 30%-50% performance increase at most for games. Your choice whether that's worth it or not.

 

[geofelt]

A FX-6300 is the only amd cpu that makes tom's best gaming cpu's for the money list:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-2.html

If you ever plan on a cpu upgrade, all the other higher and lower priced options will use a lga1150 motherboard, allowing all sorts of cpu upgrades.
Here is an older comparison which includes a FX-6300. Note that the intel i3 chips are older tech and still do better.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-9.html

 

[DubbleClick]

$230 for an I5 4590 and b85 board, $150 for an fx 6300 and a 970 amd board. I'd say up to 50% performance difference is worth $80, but you'll have to decide for that yourself.