Is it worth upgrading to 4690k or 4790k?

[guitarshredder84]

So, I recently bought a gtx 970 (upgraded from 660) to go in my rig (fx8350 and m5a97r2.0 mobo). The card runs great, but sometimes my fps fluctuates wildly in my games, ie. All 1080p, Bf4 ultra settings I get anywhere from 120 -45 fps (storm is the only map that causes it to dip that low) and dragon age inquisition on max settings I get 80-40, and on borderlands 2 max setting aa at 4x I get 70-35. These fluctuations don’t seem to have anything to do with sudden 180 turns, or flashing lights, as a matter of fact, I can’t really put my finger on when it wants to dip low like that. I’ve noticed that it does tend to lag the most in borderlands when im in a fight, my assumption is that there is some sort of cpu intense physics going on at the time, and my cpu just can’t throw out the calculations fast enough to cope with the newest games (I know borderlands 2 isn’t new… Idk what the hell that games problem is… Maybe cause I play it coop with a friend?). I monitored my cpu during these dips and there are never really high spikes in activity, and usage never gets over 60%, but my gpu never reads at 100% either, it only reads that high if running valley benchmark or msi kombustor. Is it really possible that my fx8350 (overclocked to 4.3ghz) could be throttling my fps? If so would a 4790k eliminate these frame dips or am I just stuck with them? I like max settings and if 8350 can’t keep up I want something that can... Here is a score from a 3d mark benchmark http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/5977289 even this says the cpu is lagging behind, but will that affect real word performance? Any helpful input is greatly appreciated 

[dragoon20005]

upgrading from the FX8350 to the i5 4690k will be great

 

you get more stable FPS esp in BF4 and DA and Borderlands

[Vexzarium]

Appears your GPU is to blame for the Fire Strike score. Take notice to your "Graphics Score". And your CPU is playing a role as well, take notice of your "Combined Score". Looks like the CPU may be limiting the "Graphics Score" as well, but I'm not fully aware of how the CPU effects this in Fire Strike.

 

NOTE: Below comparisons are not intended to be a comparison between our GPU's... this is just the system I have. And it so happens to have a 4690k. So no flame wars please.

 

Now compare here to my 4690k:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6270329

Specs:

i5-4690k @4.4ghz/1.190v

R9-290x Lightning

8gb Dual Channel DDR3/1866mhz

Intel 730 SSD

 

Your GPU is plenty strong, I'd just swap to a 4690k and a z97 Mobo. Based on your gaming experience description, it sounds a lot like CPU bottleneck.

 

These are for you to compare to your Heaven and Valley:

[Albatross]

I say it is definitely worth upgrading when on AMD cpus.

[guitarshredder84]

you think its worth waiting for skylake? will price be similar or will they be really high when they first launch?

[Vexzarium]

you think its worth waiting for skylake? will price be similar or will they be really high when they first launch?

I would just jump on the 4690k + z97 mobo...

 

I can attest, as an owner, the 4690k requires no debate. Just grab it and get back to enjoying your games.

[Not_Sean]

Do it, I'm running everything full and having a fantastic time 

[guitarshredder84]

I would just jump on the 4690k + z97 mobo...

 

I can attest, as an owner, the 4690k requires no debate. Just grab it and get back to enjoying your games.

So, There is absolutely no discernible benefit from a 4790k? what about future mutithreaded games, or running shadow play while gaming, or the slightly better single core performance and higher oc potential? I'm not counting out the 4690k, but if it will benefit me, id'e rather spend the extra 80 bucks and have no regrets.

[Vexzarium]

So, There is absolutely no discernible benefit from a 4790k? what about future mutithreaded games, or running shadow play while gaming, or the slightly better single core performance and higher oc potential? I'm not counting out the 4690k, but if it will benefit me, id'e rather spend the extra 80 bucks and have no regrets.

I never said the 4790k was not a viable option if you can afford it. You'll see a few FPS difference. It may perform better in Shadow Play. The overclocking potential isn't necessarily higher. You may need a decent liquid cooler to get a decent OC on the 4790k, the Hyperthreading is a heat cannon. 

 

Don't over think this, if you can afford the 4790k, go for it.

[Geldar]

So, I recently bought a gtx 970 (upgraded from 660) to go in my rig (fx8350 and m5a97r2.0 mobo). The card runs great, but sometimes my fps fluctuates wildly in my games, ie. All 1080p, Bf4 ultra settings I get anywhere from 120 -45 fps (storm is the only map that causes it to dip that low) and dragon age inquisition on max settings I get 80-40, and on borderlands 2 max setting aa at 4x I get 70-35. These fluctuations don’t seem to have anything to do with sudden 180 turns, or flashing lights, as a matter of fact, I can’t really put my finger on when it wants to dip low like that. I’ve noticed that it does tend to lag the most in borderlands when im in a fight, my assumption is that there is some sort of cpu intense physics going on at the time, and my cpu just can’t throw out the calculations fast enough to cope with the newest games (I know borderlands 2 isn’t new… Idk what the hell that games problem is… Maybe cause I play it coop with a friend?). I monitored my cpu during these dips and there are never really high spikes in activity, and usage never gets over 60%, but my gpu never reads at 100% either, it only reads that high if running valley benchmark or msi kombustor. Is it really possible that my fx8350 (overclocked to 4.3ghz) could be throttling my fps? If so would a 4790k eliminate these frame dips or am I just stuck with them? I like max settings and if 8350 can’t keep up I want something that can... Here is a score from a 3d mark benchmark http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/5977289 even this says the cpu is lagging behind, but will that affect real word performance? Any helpful input is greatly appreciated 

 

Those fluctuations will be game dependant, BF4, DA:I and Borderlands 2 are more or less single threaded (One main thread and several minor ones) and will perform much better on an intel cpu because it has a better single core performance. 

 

Some other more multi threaded games that can utilise all 8 of those cores on a 8350 would have a much more stable frame rate.

 

I say it is definitely worth upgrading when on AMD cpus.

 

For games generally yes if you can afford it. cause not everyone can.

 

you think its worth waiting for skylake? will price be similar or will they be really high when they first launch?

 

IMO your games have a reasonable frame rate just cut the details down from ultra to high and wait for skylake, its suppose to launch in Q3 (july-sept).

 

In the mean time maybe u could overclock your 8350 even if it means getting a $40 air cooler (like a CM hyper 212) to try and flatten our those dips in your fps.

[Albatross]

 

For games generally yes if you can afford it. cause not everyone can.

 

 

OP made no indication he couldn't afford it and even if others can't, it doesn't mean it isn't a good upgrade.

[guitarshredder84]

i did try and overclock but my board wouldnt let me crank the voltage to where i needed it for >4.3

[Geldar]

OP made no indication he couldn't afford it and even if others can't, it doesn't mean it isn't a good upgrade.

 

Ohh sorry i didnt mean it wasnt good upgrade, i was simply pointing out a 4790k is far more expensive than a 8350

 

i did try and overclock but my board wouldnt let me crank the voltage to where i needed it for >4.3

 

(im ust going to preface this with im not an OC'ing expert but this is what i would do)

Do u have an aftermarket cooler? increasing the voltage increases the heat produced.

It may not be that the mobo cant deliver the power, it may just be overheating causing instability.

[guitarshredder84]

yes i have a closed loop water cooler and temps at load are like 50s

[guitarshredder84]

ive been through this already and am no longer interested in trying to oc this chip the last time burned me out lol

[Geldar]

yes i have a closed loop water cooler and temps at load are like 50s

 

well thats my extent of ocing knowledge gone.

 

IMO i still think u should wait till skylake, their rumoured to be 6 core processors (i5 and i7)

[Vexzarium]

Then do one of two things found above:

 

1) Grab the 4690k or the 4790k and a z97 Motherboard. (Is your water cooler compatible with LGA-1150?)

 

2) Reduce your settings and wait for Skylake

 

Regardless, the single thread performance of AMD CPU's make them nearly useless for gaming purposes. Especially games like I play, MMO's. I'm just happy that AMD CPU's and their ATi/Radeon division do not share a common theme.

[Geldar]

Then do one of two things found above:

 

1) Grab the 4690k or the 4790k and a z97 Motherboard. (Is your water cooler is compatible with LGA-1150?)

 

2) Reduce your settings and wait for Skylake

 

Regardless, the single thread performance of AMD CPU's make them nearly useless for gaming purposes. Especially games like I play, MMO's. I'm just happy that AMD CPU's and their ATi/Radeon division do not share a common theme.

 

Excellent summary! 

 

I am also extremely glad AMD CPU's and their ATi/Radeon division do not share a common theme.

[guitarshredder84]

lol I flipped a coin, first on weather or not to wait for skylake, skylake lost, then on wether or not to get 4790k or 4690k, and the 4790k won so yeah.... it was the only way I was gonna decide. i did find an open box asus vii z97 hero for 149.00 though so thats good.

[Vexzarium]

lol I flipped a coin, first on weather or not to wait for skylake, skylake lost, then on wether or not to get 4790k or 4690k, and the 4790k won so yeah.... it was the only way I was gonna decide. i did find an open box asus vii z97 hero for 149.00 though so thats good.

I'm not saying you should buy it, but I have an ASRock Z97 Anniversary, it cost me $80. I know, it's not a big red motherboard that everyone tells you that you must have to Overclock. But I can boot and pass all stress tests at 4.8ghz. Rock solid stable. But my air cooler, the Hyper 212 Evo, leaves me sitting near 70c while gaming. So until I get my 4690k under water, I'm sitting at 4.4ghz @ 1.190v, 50c while playing an MMO. Why am I telling you this? Well, this Mobo, the ASRock z97 Anniversary is an absolute steal at $80. If you intend to depend on your GPU for media purposes, then this mobo has enough features.

 

Just a thought, and an attempt to save you some cash.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Sure it's worth it the FX is sluggish in many games, i get such a better gaming experience now with my intel based machine, same GPU same everything. The FX just tanks so easily in so many games and is really not as smooth...sure the i5-4690K as a gamer is a worthy upgrade.

[guitarshredder84]

Damn... the vii hero is already shipping

[Faceman]

@guitarshredder84

 

Yes, upgrading to an i5 or i7 will bring you much more consistent, and higher framerates for a more enjoyable experience.

[Blackie Sheen]

You should simply upgrade to a 4690k not a 4790k. It is going to be worth it simply because most games use only 2 cores which creates the need for strong single core performance which a fx 8450 does not have. In fact, a 4690k has a two times better single core performance than its the fx 8350

[WedgeBob]

Well...  If you do more stuff with 3D animations and/or rendering 3D images along with gaming, then the 4790K is your better bet (since I'm looking at doing stuff with Blender and DAZ Studio 4.7 and such).  So it seems that regardless of what you do, either the i5 4690K or i7 4790K are nice choices.  As I said, depends on how intense of activity outside of gaming you plan on doing.