Core Count or Core Efficiency?

[just some guy]

(Sighs)...

                -I still can't decide which one to choose.

*INTEL PENTIUM G3258 is a 3.2ghz dual core processor and can be overclocked upto 4.4 and..

*AMD ATHLON X4 860k is a 3.7ghz quad-core processor, turbo-boost to 4ghz and can be overclocked upto 4.5

 

              Now, I read alotta reviews about the 860k being superior than the G3258 because it has more cores and more threads.

Also, I've seen gameplays and benchmarks in favor of the G3258 like...5-10 more FPS. I don't know which to prefer, the reviews or gameplays.

Some says that more cores is better, faster is better, more efficient the better, L3 cache is than L2 and mosts say that LGA 1150 has a long upgrade path than FM2 cpus. PLEASE HELP!

[arvark]

When will yoiu upgrade? If you'll upgrade soon (few months) then G3258.

[GER_T4IGA]

(Sighs)...

                -I still can't decide which one to choose.

*INTEL PENTIUM G3258 is a 3.2ghz dual core processor and can be overclocked upto 4.4 and..

*AMD ATHLON X4 860k is a 3.7ghz quad-core processor, turbo-boost to 4ghz and can be overclocked upto 4.5

 

              Now, I read alotta reviews about the 860k being superior than the G3258 because it has more cores and more threads.

Also, I've seen gameplays and benchmarks in favor of the G3258 like...5-10 more FPS. I don't know which to prefer, the reviews or gameplays.

Some says that more cores is better, faster is better, more efficient the better, L3 cache is than L2 and mosts say that LGA 1150 has a long upgrade path than FM2 cpus. PLEASE HELP!

Important for performance are the IPC. Istructuons per cycle and Intel is far superior in this category. Paired with bad multi ore support most games favor strong cores Ben if they are less than others which Ardmore but less powerful.

[nanowatt]

1150 because you can upgrade in the future not to mention in this case the g3258 may take the lead

[mata-pombos]

g3258 has better single core performance (games) and you can upgrade it later on

[Ostwind]

(Sighs)...

                -I still can't decide which one to choose.

*INTEL PENTIUM G3258 is a 3.2ghz dual core processor and can be overclocked upto 4.4 and..

*AMD ATHLON X4 860k is a 3.7ghz quad-core processor, turbo-boost to 4ghz and can be overclocked upto 4.5

 

              Now, I read alotta reviews about the 860k being superior than the G3258 because it has more cores and more threads.

Also, I've seen gameplays and benchmarks in favor of the G3258 like...5-10 more FPS. I don't know which to prefer, the reviews or gameplays.

Some says that more cores is better, faster is better, more efficient the better, L3 cache is than L2 and mosts say that LGA 1150 has a long upgrade path than FM2 cpus. PLEASE HELP!

Which is better depends on the game your playing, if a game is more single threaded the 3258 will win. If the game benefits from extra cores then the 860k will win. MMO's are almost always single threaded and thus will benefit more from the two high performance cores of the 3258 than it would from the more numerous weaker cores of the 860k. That being said the 3258 is more of an interm solution than an end all be all as it can run into issues with AAA games that choke when it comes down to it. If the 3258 had hyperthreading then it would be in my mind a pefect solution but since it doesnt it's more of a stepping stone to better hardware.

 

If you bought the 3258 and found that at some point it wasn't enough you would have somewhere to go with that platform, you would only need to buy a new CPU like an i5 or an i7 and you would see an enormous performance upgrade. If you were to buy the 860k and found that you needed more performance you would be stuck where you are because the 860k is the best chip available on the FM2+ platform.

 

All of this being said I think the best solution is the intel path, either get the 3258 now and upgrade it to an i5/i7 later or wait until you can afford an i5/i7 to build your PC.

[TheMcSame]

Pentium, no question about it really. The Athlon works but as far as upgradability goes, LG1150 would be the better option since you would be able to jump up to a 4(6/7)90K or even the broadwell chips... Unless they've scrapped the desktop broadwell chips.

[othertomperson]

Important for performance are the IPC. Istructuons per cycle and Intel is far superior in this category. Paired with bad multi ore support most games favor strong cores Ben if they are less than others which Ardmore but less powerful.

 

You'll be hard pressed to find a modern game that can't support quad cores...

 

The Pentium will give you higher peak framerates but will also give you much more variance in frametimes. The Athlon X4 will give you a much more consistent experience with less visible stuttering.

[just some guy]

When will yoiu upgrade? If you'll upgrade soon (few months) then G3258.

[just some guy]

Idk...another year maybe..or so.

[arvark]

Then G3258.