Switch to Intel, or upgrade AMD?

[meetmoop]

Hey guys so it's coming that time again to upgrade and I am considering just switching to an i5 3570k, but I am not sure if I want to drop the $ on a whole new mobo, so should I just upgrade my AMD CPU, (if yes please suggest you opinion of the best AMD cpu), or should I switch to intel? If I don't switch to intel I will use the saving to buy a SSD and a H100. I'm going to be buying a R9 290x and I would like to know if either AMD or intel would be more compatible as in working together better with the GPU, or if it matters? I will be using this computer for gaming, and the current Phenom II x4 965 would be a huge bottleneck on a R9 290x, plus I can definitely tell it's an old CPU because it is holding me back a bit. So, suggestions? Thanks a lot guys!!
( P.S. Should I upgrade the mobo if I end up just getting a better AMD cpu? I am currently running on a ASRock 970 EXTREME4, will this be fine? )

 

[gear999]

Yes, the Phenom should bottleneck a powerful card like the 290X. Go for an Intel system. May I ask, why the 3570K? Not that it's bad but now the 4690K is out and you may want to get that + a Z97 board.

 

[meetmoop]

Yes, the Phenom should bottleneck a powerful card like the 290X. Go for an Intel system. May I ask, why the 3570K? Not that it's bad but now the 4690K is out and you may want to get that + a Z97 board.

Oh I would have stupidly bought the 3570k if no one pointed out that the 4690k was out! Haha! Thank you for the opinion.

 

[gear999]

You're welcome

 

[Obnoxious]

What is your budget and are you from the United States? Switching to Intel would be ideal, but then again so would a SSD hence you could upgrade to a FX series CPU. From my opinion, I'll determine what I would do dependant upon your budget; perhaps we can fit in the switch to Intel and the SSD.

All the best.

 

[meetmoop]

What is your budget and are you from the United States? Switching to Intel would be ideal, but then again so would a SSD hence you could upgrade to a FX series CPU. From my opinion, I'll determine what I would do dependant upon your budget; perhaps we can fit in the switch to Intel and the SSD.

All the best.

I have almost $400 to spend until Sep 12th. But then I will be getting $700 and $500 of that will be going into the R9 290x. BUT I really don't want to be spending more than I really NEED. You know? haha

 

[Obnoxious]

Haha, definitely I can understand you don't want to spend your entire budget.

After comparing the AMD FX series and Intel's i5 offering, personally I think you'll be better off with the i5. Intel's single core performance is stronger than AMD's, in addition the quad-cores of the i5 are all that is required for games. With an i5 and the R9 290X, you should be able to run all games at ultra at 1080p (assuming it's on a single monitor).

If you're willing to spend around $350, you could purchase the i5-4590 with a 128GB SSD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $351.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 21:25 EDT-0400

The processor and the motherboard I've selected is not for overclocking, so you can't overclock the CPU. As a result of going down the non-overclocking route, you are saving additional funds. If you were to overclock with Intel, it would cost more funds in selecting a K edition CPU and the Z97 chipset. The i5 for $188 isn't a bad price, considering the FX-8350 costs $171, however switching motherboards does add up the total cost. 🙁

Personally from my opinion I would go with the i5; however if you want to save funds, you could purchase the FX-8150 (or similar) which is compatible with your existing motherboard. The FX-8350 however isn't compatible as far as I'm aware, according to the CPU support list from ASRock.

It's completely your call if you desire the i5 or the AMD with SSD/H100; if you are willing to, you could still purchase a SSD with the i5, however including the H100 too would be out of your budget unfortunately. Again it's your call and I'll attempt not to be biased.

All the best.

 

[meetmoop]

Haha, definitely I can understand you don't want to spend your entire budget.

After comparing the AMD FX series and Intel's i5 offering, personally I think you'll be better off with the i5. Intel's single core performance is stronger than AMD's, in addition the quad-cores of the i5 are all that is required for games. With an i5 and the R9 290X, you should be able to run all games at ultra at 1080p (assuming it's on a single monitor).

If you're willing to spend around $350, you could purchase the i5-4590 with a 128GB SSD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $351.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 21:25 EDT-0400

The processor and the motherboard I've selected is not for overclocking, so you can't overclock the CPU. As a result of going down the non-overclocking route, you are saving additional funds. If you were to overclock with Intel, it would cost more funds in selecting a K edition CPU and the Z97 chipset. The i5 for $188 isn't a bad price, considering the FX-8350 costs $171, however switching motherboards does add up the total cost. 🙁

Personally from my opinion I would go with the i5; however if you want to save funds, you could purchase the FX-8150 (or similar) which is compatible with your existing motherboard. The FX-8350 however isn't compatible as far as I'm aware, according to the CPU support list from ASRock.

It's completely your call if you desire the i5 or the AMD with SSD/H100; if you are willing to, you could still purchase a SSD with the i5, however including the H100 too would be out of your budget unfortunately. Again it's your call and I'll attempt not to be biased.

All the best.

I think I will end up going with AMD so I can buy the SSD. Why is the FX-8350 not compatible? Maybe I am reading wrong but it is AM3+ and my motherboard supports AM3+, so why would it not work? Sorry, am still learning, not trying to sound like a nuisance.

 

[Karadjgne]

The x3xx series cpus are higher wattage than the board is certified to handle, so it won't be recognised in bios.

Go with Intel, honestly the AMD x1xx cpus are not worth the money. I'd rather own a 6300 than an 8150 any day.