Do "gaming" PCs require i5 procs?

[FreedomEclipse]

LOL, so much for BF4 being optimized for AMD 8-cores. A 3.3GHz dual core I3 offers virtually the same performance as a 4GHz 8-core 8350!!

unfortunately for AMD, Intels Ivy Bridge architecture is pretty efficient. I dont think we even need to guess how well a Haswell 4130 performs compared to the rest but it is what it is.

 

[DEFEATEST]

In the end its all about $$ so just make sure you do your homework and spend about a hundred-ish bucks on a cpu with a decent gpu and thats a decent gaming rig for sure. Especially if its around or below 1080p.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

In the end its all about $$ so just make sure you do your homework and spend about a hundred-ish bucks on a cpu with a decent gpu and thats a decent gaming rig for sure. Especially if its around or below 1080p.

that doesnt exactly answer the question though.

 

[xenocide]

LOL, so much for BF4 being optimized for AMD 8-cores. A 3.3GHz dual core I3 offers virtually the same performance as a 4GHz 8-core 8350!!

That's at max settings at 1920x1200 in the Single Player. A majority of the workload is on the GPU at that point. BF has been optimized for up to 8 threads since BF3, and I believe someone pointed out the FPS is capped at 100, so the difference isn't very noticable.

 

[Raw]

i7 2600k minimum requirement for everything IMHO.

LOL........ wrong again

OOPS...OK....... I didn't see the IMO, sorry pal.
I miss messing with ya so I couldn't resist trying (fail)

 

[Frag_Maniac]

I think everyone is missing the fact that it is entirely game dependant.

Maybe you should actually read the posts before saying something like that.

 

[TheMailMan78]

LOL........ wrong again

OOPS...OK....... I didn't see the IMO, sorry pal.
I miss messing with ya so I couldn't resist trying (fail)

Its ok. Most people who attempt to mess with me fail. Very few things I cannot troll myself out of.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Modern i3 procs are very powerful. Coupled with something like a 770GTX, will today's PC games play just fine?

Yes. A 4340 with a mid-range GPU will run most games at 1920x1080 even with some eyecandy. Now since this is an enthusiast site most will say it requires much more power then this. http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/7310620 a score of 8k is equal to a i7 2600k and a GTX580...so something like a 770GTX and a brand new i3 4340 will run almost any modern game at 1920x1080 and even allow for AA/AF and medium detail in the 45-60fps area.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Yes. A 4340 with a mid-range GPU will run most games at 1920x1080 even with some eyecandy. Now since this is an enthusiast site most will say it requires much more power then this. http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/7310620 a score of 8k is equal to a i7 2600k and a GTX580...so something like a 770GTX and a brand new i3 4340 will run almost any modern game at 1920x1080 and even allow for AA/AF and medium detail in the 45-60fps area.

Garbage. Play maxed out with ma ballz out or I go home. If I wanted medium settings I would buy a console and play drunk through a magnifying glass.

2600K is minimum requirement for everything known to man. See my specs? THATS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS BABY!

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Garbage. Play maxed out with ma ballz out or I go home.

And this is why no one invites you over anymore. Always running around with your ballz out.

 

[TheMailMan78]

And this is why no one invites you over anymore. Always running around with your ballz out.

Damn......my friends said NOTHING.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

lmao

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

People use the i3 over that A10 because if you're building a gaming rig the i3 is better--assuming a dedicated GPU at all. The i3 in low thread counts rolls with the best of them, and even with ~4 threads it generally outperforms AMD parts with 4 physical cores because the per core performance is so much higher. Let's look at the Bit-Tech review for the i3-4340. Compared to the A10-6800K we're seeing the i3 gaining anywhere from 1-2 fps at 1920x1080 to as much as 28 fps--which matching GPU's. That a sizeable difference. Yes, the i3 is not ideal, but it's hardly the worst solution...

Also, I don't think AMD--or rather Global Foundries--will ever catch up to Intel when it comes to production tech.

You did note that I was comparing the 3xxx series to the A10 6800k, right? I have little experience with the 4xxx series, and comparing them to AMDs significantly older offerings seems a might bit unfair. If you're comparing the 4xxx series i3 with the 6800k then the comparison should heavily favor the Haswell based processor.


My other comments still stand though. The integration of the voltage controls, standardized frequencies, and other factors are a dead give-away that Intel is not focusing on the gamer segment with the i3. Intel is running initial trials with combining low end computing and portable device power draws. AMD doesn't even begin to compromise power for a lower TDP. Gaming is all about increasing the CPU potential, which is clearly where AMD is focusing. They aren't as advanced as the Intel offerings, but the APUs are nothing to scoff at assuming you've got a tight budget.

 

[TheMailMan78]

You did note that I was comparing the 3xxx series to the A10 6800k, right? I have little experience with the 4xxx series, and comparing them to AMDs significantly older offerings seems a might bit unfair. If you're comparing the 4xxx series i3 with the 6800k then the comparison should heavily favor the Haswell based processor.


My other comments still stand though. The integration of the voltage controls, standardized frequencies, and other factors are a dead give-away that Intel is not focusing on the gamer segment with the i3. Intel is running initial trials with combining low end computing and portable device power draws. AMD doesn't even begin to compromise power for a lower TDP. Gaming is all about increasing the CPU potential, which is clearly where AMD is focusing. They aren't as advanced as the Intel offerings, but the APUs are nothing to scoff at assuming you've got a tight budget.

If you are all about medium settings and low resolution.

 

[xenocide]

You did note that I was comparing the 3xxx series to the A10 6800k, right? I have little experience with the 4xxx series, and comparing them to AMDs significantly older offerings seems a might bit unfair. If you're comparing the 4xxx series i3 with the 6800k then the comparison should heavily favor the Haswell based processor.


My other comments still stand though. The integration of the voltage controls, standardized frequencies, and other factors are a dead give-away that Intel is not focusing on the gamer segment with the i3. Intel is running initial trials with combining low end computing and portable device power draws. AMD doesn't even begin to compromise power for a lower TDP. Gaming is all about increasing the CPU potential, which is clearly where AMD is focusing. They aren't as advanced as the Intel offerings, but the APUs are nothing to scoff at assuming you've got a tight budget.

In most gaming scenarios the difference between an i3-3xxx and i3-4xxx is pretty minimal. We can look up benchmarks of the i3-3xxx CPU's and see they always perform at least as well as that A10-6800K when factoring in a dedicated GPU--Tom's has the hookup. The fact is, i3's are better for gaming, despite not being focused on gaming because their per thread performance is so much better than AMD's APU's. The only time an APU is a better deal is if you're using the iGPU. TechReport backs this up.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

In most gaming scenarios the difference between an i3-3xxx and i3-4xxx is pretty minimal. We can look up benchmarks of the i3-3xxx CPU's and see they always perform at least as well as that A10-6800K when factoring in a dedicated GPU--Tom's has the hookup. The fact is, i3's are better for gaming, despite not being focused on gaming because their per thread performance is so much better than AMD's APU's. The only time an APU is a better deal is if you're using the iGPU. TechReport backs this up.

...and the opposite case can be made. The AMD offerings are fully unlocked, and can be pushed significantly more. You cite two sources, but CPU Boss comes to the opposite conclusion here: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i3-3225-vs-AMD-A10-6800K. My point is simple, the AMD offerings are superior for gaming because they are unlocked and focus on higher clocks. Yes, Intel is more power efficient. Yes, Intel has better IPC. Yes, Intel has significantly better fabrication processes. All of these reasons are why Intel can charge a premium for the i5 and i7 processors. I buy them whenever I get the option, because the high end AMD offerings aren't up to par.

None of Intel's benefits are currently competing well against AMD in the low end market. Lesser IPC, boost the frequency. Poorer lifetime, the socket lasts longer than 36 months. Stock settings not competing with Intel, then use that unlocked clock. I've seen plenty of stock comparisons where AMD has its silicon handed to it. I've also seen overclocks that make up for every shortcoming and then some. If Intel allowed an unlocked clock, then the i3 would be a contender. As they aren't unlocked, there isn't any reason that I can see to justify them in a cheap gaming rig. Gaming rigs are meant to push boundaries, not run at stock settings. If you're looking for a stock gaming rig, then please run an i3.

I can't, in good faith, recommend an i3 for a gaming rig, it's that simple. If I were building my own, I'd get the 6800k. If I were less pressed for a budget, there'd be a Haswell based CPU in my system. There's no reason to be a fan of one company over another, and that is the only reason I'd see in favoring a stock i3 (because they aren't unlocked) to an AMD processor that can be overclocked.

 

[trickson]

My system still plays games great! And mine is a Q9650. LOL.
I still have yet to get a new computer.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Dunno why you guys are arguing. I already settled this. i7 2600k is the minimum for gaming. Period.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

My system still plays games great! And mine is a Q9650. LOL.
I still have yet to get a new computer.

Yes, it does seem here if you do not have the latest greatest then your system is garbage. Most games haven't advanced enough yet to meet the hardware, so other than higher frame rates older architecture is still performing just fine just with a little less eye candy. A Q9650 oc'd to 4ghz is still a great chip and will still run games great if it has a decent GPU, which a 5870 is still a pretty good card.

 

[...PACMAN...]

Hey if we are saying that there is no point updating hardware to play modern games, lets all just play on an APU at 720p, It's simple, if you are a true gamer you buy the best you can afford and be happy with it. I used to play crysis on a 6000 windsor with HD 4850 and I was happy with it. Current system blows it away but was it "required"?

 

[trickson]

Yes, it does seem here if you do not have the latest greatest then your system is garbage. Most games haven't advanced enough yet to meet the hardware, so other than higher frame rates older architecture is still performing just fine just with a little less eye candy. A Q9650 oc'd to 4ghz is still a great chip and will still run games great if it has a decent GPU, which a 5870 is still a pretty good card.

Thanks. I have to agree with you. I started to notice this after spending thousands each year for the best only to find games were not even maturing due to the console industry. And then there is the fact that after you buy the latest new thing 2 months later you find that it is worth frack all and you are stuck with a paper weight in a few month! So yeah computers are for the RICH and well to do.

 

[GreiverBlade]

Hey if we are saying that there is no point updating hardware to play modern games, lets all just play on an APU at 720p, It's simple, if you are a true gamer you buy the best you can afford and be happy with it. I used to play crysis on a 6000 windsor with HD 4850 and I was happy with it. Current system blows it away but was it "required"?

true that ... and for me the best i could afford does 12pts more in a gpu bound bench with exactly the same gpu i used with my Xeon ...

the Xeon setup was doing 1621... so my X4 760K do ... oh wait nevermind it's not a i7-2700K

 

[TheMailMan78]

Benches are useless.

 

[trickson]

Benches are useless.

Now days they are for sure. But there was a time when they were so hot we had threads with thousands of screen shoots and huge Epeens all erect! It was a great time.
Now Benchmarks are just BS and mean little really. The next new CPU/GPU/Mother Board/Video Card, Ram is just a day away folks....

 

[FX-GMC]

Benches are useless.

Especially a benchmark that barely tickles the cpu when it runs.