GTA V runs at approximately 60 frames per second.
GTA V runs at approximately 60 frames per second.
2 cores and 4 threads mean the system is pretty limited. Those extra two threads act like having an additional 2 full 8350 units. I’m telling you, right now an 8350 will struggle more than an i3. GTA isn’t likely to be one of them either—just a solidly built multi-threaded title. Still, if it’s a new build, I might be let down if you choose an 8350 instead of an 8320.
In most situations an i3 outperforms an FX CPU during games thanks to higher IPC and superior single-threaded efficiency, which is far more beneficial in gaming. Unless the game demands intense CPU usage or dislikes hyperthreaded dual cores, an i3 will cause less bottlenecking compared to an FX CPU. Adding more cores doesn’t always mean more power. I’d choose an i3 since it offers a solid upgrade route.
Having more cores generally means greater power, but it doesn't always translate to better gaming performance. dx12 could alter this trend. The i3 might not perform as well as the 8320 in newer titles.
Well then, the focus shifts to gaming specifically. That link points to a top-tier i3 with a very good fit. I understand why AM3+ is outdated and why moving to an i5 makes sense, but why invest extra $50 upfront when it’s not necessary? The gap between i3 and FX-8350 isn’t as significant as you might think.
It might not be entirely false that 290X surpassing a 980Ti appears unlikely, yet their GPUs are probably more capable than typical Nvidia models, especially in certain tests where the 390X outperformed the 980 significantly. This could partly be due to Nvidia's emphasis on DX11 drivers.