How to allocate ~$300 combined CPU and GPU fund for best gameplay?

[Bryan Nguyen]

Hey guys, I'm planning on building a budget PC for gaming (mostly for BF4). I have read TH's best CPU and GPU for the money. But there are no benchmarks for two variables. Which one of these provides better gaming performance?

1) i3-3240 (~$130) and HD 7870 (~$190)
OR
2) i5-3350p (~$180) and HD 7790 (~$130)

These are examples, I could go with AMD/GeForce too. What I want to know is: Having a set budget in place, should I spend more money on the CPU or GPU to get better gaming performance?

 

[smeezekitty]

For gaming, you should go for the better GPU.
Honestly you should try to get a bit more money and go for i5+7870.
Also consider the AMD FX-6300 CPU

 

[nikoli707]

yup, fx6300 and a 7870 is your best bet.