Stuck. i3-3250 or AMD Athlon X4 860k for gaming?

[Proxima]

Current machine is:

Intel Celeron G530 CPU
GeForce GTX 550 Ti GPU
8GB RAM

I know my CPU is in a major need of an upgrade, but can't decide between the Intel I3-3250 Dual-Core Ivy Bridge, or the AMD Athlon II X4 860k.

I'm upgrading my PC specifically for Arma 3 Altis Life.

Thanks!

Edit: Title edited for typo: "i3-3240" was meant to be "i3-3250"

 

[gskill support]

What motherboard do you have? Definitely an Intel CPU upgrade would be best especially if you already have a motherboard for it.

 

[spentshells]

i3 as you already have the motherboard.

 

[geofelt]

A lga1155 i3, it will fit your motherboard.
Here is an older report, the i3 chips fare very well by comparison:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-9.html

 

[Proxima]

I have a Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2, but if I was suggested to get the AMD chip, I chose the Asus A78M-E mobo.

Edit: Slightly off topic, is there a wireless card that would fit the Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2?

 

[geofelt]

I have a Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2, but if I was suggested to get the AMD chip, I chose the Asus A78M-E mobo.

Edit: Slightly off topic, is there a wireless card that would fit the Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2?

There are plenty, look for one that fits a X1 slot.
Here is an example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166047

 

[Beggelton]

I'd probs get an i3. The 860k is decent with all 4 cores involved, but the i3 will blow it out of the water in pretty much all games. However I'd argue the Athlon is more future-proof as it has more cores, but then, if you can save up for an i5 over the next 2 years, you'll beat like ALL AMD products haha (coming from an AMD user here)

 

[Proxima]

I think I've decided on getting the i5-3470 chip.

That a good one for gaming?

 

[spentshells]

Much better than any of your other options.

 

[IamTimTech]

Another vote for an 1155 socket i3.

 

[Beggelton]

Core i5 >>>>>>>>>>> Core i3 choice > 860k
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/416/Intel_Core_i3_i3-3240_vs_Intel_Core_i5_i5-3470.html
Scroll down for a list of benchmarks

 

[IamTimTech]

Core i5 >>>>>>>>>>> Core i3 choice > 860k
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/416/Intel_Core_i3_i3-3240_vs_Intel_Core_i5_i5-3470.html
Scroll down for a list of benchmarks

What he said, if you can afford it you should get an i5, but between the 860k and an i3 the i3 wins.