Too big of a price difference? I5 4590 or fx-8320 (europe).

Moondrinker

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Jan 23, 2008
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I’m looking for a new CPU+motherboard meant for gaming, and I am uncertain about whether it would be worth paying 34% more for an I5 4590 (the I5 4690k, which would be my initial option, is priced 60% more) over the AMD fx-8320. I have a decent cooler stuck on my E8400 already (I assume it’s compatible with fx-8320/I5 4590. I think it’s an evo 212) which would make it possible to OC the fx-8320 without any extra cost. Conversely, the I5 4590 doesn’t OC.
Take into consideration that
- it will always be a mid to low-end system. I have a HD-5770 graphics card right now, which I plan to switch out with an R9 270 or another 5770 come autumn.
- it will be 3-4 years before I change that system setup again (fx-8320 OC’d/I5 4590 + R9 270). My current system is 5½ years old.
- My screen is a 22” with a 720p resolution (6 years old. If it breaks, I'll go for a 24" 1080p.)

What I’m in doubt about is whether the fx-8320 will struggle at all in any older /(the problem of 8 cores)/newer titles running at ‘high’ settings (The Witcher 3, Rome 2, Skyrim modded, BF4, Metro . last light) I am not aiming for ultra settings in these titles, rather just some smooth and fluent FPS with ‘high’ settings. I’ve done my research on these chips, and I know that the I5’s are better chips for most titles today, but the price difference that follows (34% to 60% respectively) seems unacceptable regardless if I were able to raise such capital. But this is a point for discussion.

Another alternative is the I5 4690k. What I don’t like about the FX-8320 is that it is already a bit dated but as it is, I can’t see anything else that would give me more value for my money than this AMD chip. Going for any of the I5’s I would probably also opt for one of the newer z97 boards which would cost me 65$ more than the AMD board I have in mind (but it would be a better board).
Such a setup would perhaps also make it possible not having to change my MB for a CPU upgrade in 3-4 years’ time whereas the socket of the FX-8320 would prompt me to buy a new MB at that time as well.

So, to sum up. I am looking at these options:

FX-8320 (OC)
CPU: 180$
MB: 115$
--295$--

I5 4690k / I5 4590

CPU: 290$ / 245$
MB: 180$
--479$ / 425$--

Price difference is 184$ and 130$ respectively compared to the FX-8320 system.

Thank you kindly.
 
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=2234&cmp[]=2284&cmp[]=1782]http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2234&cmp[]=2284&cmp[]=1782

If you are able to exploit the 8 cores of the AMD FX-8320 then clearly it is the best price-performance that you can hope for. THere are a few caveats in specific situations,

However, if you can only use a single core (as many games are restricted), then the picture changes as you can see from the Single thread rating.

Also, you chose an expensive motherboard for the Intel solution. Choose a cheaper motherboard and the equation will be different.