Is upgrading an AMD FX-8350 to an I5 4690K worth the money?

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RabidApocalypse

RabidApocalypse

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I currently have an AMD FX-8350 and I want to upgrade to Intel because of better gaming performance. Is it worth the extra money to upgrade from my FX to the I5?
 
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geofelt
Worth is something only YOU can determine.

If you are having problems with cpu core speed, a I5-4690K and a conservative overclock is as good as you can do today for gaming.

Try some testing.
Here is a backhanded way to assess what change could do.
Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You could also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option...
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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I think the majority of people here would say yes if the CPU is limiting your total performance. If you have a low end graphics card then the CPU isn't going to be a limiting factor.

You WILL HAVE TO DO A CLEAN WINDOWS INSTALL. Treat it just like buying a new computer.
 
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I

Itsbranden97

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Honestly, it's really not worth the money unless you have a gtx 970/980 or a GPU of that caliber. The i5 is a great chip but so is the 8350 and the not-so-large performance difference doesn't really justify (me at least) spending $300-400 on a new cpu + mobo
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Worth is something only YOU can determine.

If you are having problems with cpu core speed, a I5-4690K and a conservative overclock is as good as you can do today for gaming.

Try some testing.
Here is a backhanded way to assess what change could do.
Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You could also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

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

RabidApocalypse

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Currently, I have an MSI GTX 770 2GB OC Edition. It's a great card and runs all my games. MY AMD FX-8350 is also a great CPU it's just that I am wanting to upgrade to Intel. And on some games I play, the Intel CPU is more reliable for the game.
 
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C

ComputerSecurityGuy

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Wait a year or two. It shouldn't make a difference in the next year or so, and then AMD will release Zen. Then AMD will be a better option than it is now and Intel will also be forced to lower its prices making it a better option as well. When you do upgrade, either way will be to DDR4 RAM and PCI Express 4.0. There isn't much of a point in upgrading now unless you want to spend more money.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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I might disagree.
If you wait for the next best thing, you will wait forever.
AMD does not have a great history of architectural cpu innovation. Zen may or may not be good.
In the mean time, Intel has broadwell coming for the desktop and skylake later this year.
I have my doubts that either will be more than a 10% price performance boost, similar to what we have seen from Intel on the past.
I am also doubtful about the merits of DDR4, at least for Intel cpus. Current ddr3 speed has little impact on intel cpu performance today.

More likely, the advent of faster pcie speeds and more lanes available with skylake will be the driver to upgrade.
We see the intel 750 now; amazing device.

The time to buy is when your current rig needs updating.

 
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