AMD FX-4170 vs Intel i7 3770k

Dale-L-

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Sep 1, 2013
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My current CPU is FX-4170, and I was thinking about buying an i7 3770k, Is this worth my time and money? Mostly for gaming.

Setup:

AMD FX-4170 - CPU
AMD Radeon 7870 - GPU
Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3 - Mobo
Xigmatek Prime - Cooling
Zalman Z11 - Case
Xigmatek 600w - PSU

P.S I know I will have to change my Mobo
 

RobCrezz

Expert
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Depends on the game. Some have a huge difference: Skyrim, Starcraft etc
 


+1 for this answer.

The small perfoemance gains in modern, multithreaded games (Ex: Crysis 3, FarCry 3, Arma, Metro) are not worth the extra cost of a new motherboard and CPU.

If you already have a viable AM3+ motherboard it will be more effective to upgrade your GPU now and wait for the next gen AMD CPU...or possibly go to an FX6300 (6 cores instead of the 4 you currently have).
 
For gaming, hyperthreading of the 3770 is not much help.
Few games use more than 2-3 cores.
A 3570 would be equally good.
Considering the easy 20% cpu boost from overclocking, I would buy a "K". Preserve that option.
A 4670K will cost less than a 3770 and perform better even at stock.
That said, I would consider haswell which will be in the same price range.

You will get a superior Z87 chipset motherboard.


To get some idea if you would do better with a cpu or gpu upgrade,
run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

And... I would highly recommend a ssd for the os.
120gb will hold the os and a handful of games.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.



 


Well, not in 1080p or 'real world' resolutions. AMD and intel CPUs run most current games neck in neck now. Check Tek Syndicate and Linus Tech Tips for some good comparison videos.
 

genz

Distinguished




Even a 30% performance boost is cheaper to gain by buying an AMD six-core. AMD naturally have more aggressively priced chips and the OP already has an AMD mobo. If the OP was to go Intel now and get a 3770k he would not only be dropping 50% of the price of the processor on top for a decent board, he would also be buying legacy (out of date) tech and would not be able to make any upgrades in the future as Haswell uses a differnt socket type (as do Ivy Bridge-E, the only real upgrade due to hyperthreading not doing much for gaming). It's better to stick with his current board which will have support for future processors as well.
 


* IF * you go with intel...

+1 for the 3570k over a 3770k. Hyper Threading is a waste for gaming. Save some of that CPU money and put it into a better GPU or CPU cooler.