Which CPU is the best VALUE for 1080p gaming?

[dizmo]

Which one of these CPUs do you think is the best value at 1080p for gaming?

 

I'm looking at different build options for my new PC, and I've decided to skip 1440p and go straight to 4k in 2 years. So this PC will be aimed at 1080p.

The i5 8400 is clearly a stronger performer, but this isn't pick the fastest chip, it's pick the best one for 1080p.

 

The CPU will likely be paired with a 1070.

 

Personally I'm leaning towards the i3 8100, but I'm open to reasonable AMD recommendations.

The 4k build won't use any of the current components so upgrade paths are irrelevant.

[nebula33]

i5 8400

[nebula33]

Just now, nebula33 said:

i5 8400

get that hexacore boost 

[LienusLateTips]

8400

[rip]

random bench from not popular channel, but you can see the differce is around 10-20fps

 

[dizmo]

2 minutes ago, rip said:

random bench from not popular channel, but you can see the differce is around 10-20fps

 

Both well above 60 though, so it looks like the i3 is a clear winner.

[rip]

2 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Both well above 60 though, so it looks like the i3 is a clear winner.

but that's a gtx 1080

[ARikozuM]

My vote goes to either the i3 or i5, but I'd go with a K-chip i5. 

[geo3]

What refresh rate is your monitor?

[dizmo]

6 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

My vote goes to either the i3 or i5, but I'd go with a K-chip i5. 

That'll be for the 4k build. Too overkill for a 1080p build.

1 minute ago, geo3 said:

What refresh rate is your monitor?

60hz

[ARikozuM]

 

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

60hz

Get an i3. 

[geo3]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

60hz

Then you probably don't need an Intel chip.

[RadiatingLight]

I'd go for an intel chip (8100 is better choice, but technically 8400 is better value I guess) except for the high platform cost. $100 for a motherboard VS $50 on Ryzen.

[dizmo]

6 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

 

Get an i3. 

That's likely what I'll do, me thinks. As tempting as an 8400 is it's just doesn't seem worth it if I'm not going 1440p.

5 minutes ago, geo3 said:

Then you probably don't need an Intel chip.

It's cheaper than Ryzen. 

3 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

I'd go for an intel chip (8100 is better choice, but technically 8400 is better value I guess) except for the high platform cost. $100 for a motherboard VS $50 on Ryzen.

I dno if it'd be considered a better value. It's an $80 price difference for not that much more performance. 

 

The motherboard isn't too much of an issue, I'd either grab one on sale during Black Friday or wait for the B/H releases. Shouldn't be too far off. 

[Damascus]

1400 is in this price range and has killer value...

[geo3]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

It's cheaper than Ryzen. 

The chip itself is. Ryzen MBs are much cheaper. Also the Ryzen is unlocked. 

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, Damascus said:

1400 is in this price range and has killer value...

Eh, for the extra $20 I'd go Intel at that price point. 

1 minute ago, geo3 said:

The chip itself is. Ryzen MBs are much cheaper. Also the Ryzen is unlocked. 

Comparing a Z series perhaps, but the B and H boards aren't far off. 

[LukWarm]

I'd recommend a ryzen 5. They're cheap, reasonably fast, and won't bottleneck a gpu like a 1070 if you overclock. a 1600x is 6 cores at 3.6ghz at $240

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, LordOfLegends said:

I'd recommend a ryzen 5. They're cheap, reasonably fast, and won't bottleneck a gpu like a 1070 if you overclock.

Most Ryzen 5 chips are $40 more than the Intel i5, which beats them in most scenarios. 

[Damascus]

Just now, dizmo said:

Most Ryzen 5 chips are $40 more than the Intel i5, which beats them in most scenarios. 

No, always cheaper

$155 1400

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/72wqqs/amd-ryzen-5-1400-32ghz-quad-core-processor-yd1400bbaebox

[LukWarm]

Just now, dizmo said:

Most Ryzen 5 chips are $40 more than the Intel i5, which beats them in most scenarios. 

If you're looking for anything soon, the price hike for a 1600 or 1600x might be worth it due to 8th gen cpus being in such low supply. Even if most scenarios were gaming, you can still overclock. I have a 6600k in my system with a 1070 ftw at 3.8ghz and I don't have any bottlenecking. With a ryzen being mostly cheaper all around and an intel cpu only winning in clock speeds prior to overclocking, ryzen would be better.

[superpentium]

Ryzen 5 seems like the best value for 1080P/60FPS, especially if you got the GPU to back it up, so I'd say don't waste your money on an overpriced Z370 board, just go  Ryzen 5 1400 or higher.

[dizmo]

3 minutes ago, Damascus said:

No, always cheaper

$155 1400

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/72wqqs/amd-ryzen-5-1400-32ghz-quad-core-processor-yd1400bbaebox

I'm not American.

Just now, LordOfLegends said:

If you're looking for anything soon, the price hike for a 1600 or 1600x might be worth it due to 8th gen cpus being in such low supply. Even if most scenarios were gaming, you can still overclock. I have a 6600k in my system with a 1070 ftw at 3.8ghz and I don't have any bottlenecking. With a ryzen being mostly cheaper all around and an intel cpu only winning in clock speeds prior to overclocking, ryzen would be better.

The i3 isn't in very low supply, and I'd be waiting for the H and B series boards unless a Z goes on sale for Black Friday which is likely. The i3 now is basically what your I5 is. 

 

2 minutes ago, superpentium said:

Ryzen 5 seems like the best value for 1080P/60FPS, especially if you got the GPU to back it up, so I'd say don't waste your money on an overpriced Z370 board, just go  Ryzen 5 1400 or higher.

Not really. Intel would be better at that price point. The motherboards, when not on sale, are only $30 apart in price but the CPU is more expensive. 

[ARikozuM]

9 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Most Ryzen 5 chips are $40 more than the Intel i5, which beats them in most scenarios. 

You know this already, but the i5-7600K matches the 1600 in gaming... 

 

Let that sink in, you know, for sanity's sake.

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

You know this already, but the i5-7600K matches the 1600 in gaming... 

 

Let that sink in, you know, for sanity's sake.

Which the 8400 beats. 

Or were you trying to make a different point I've missed?