No, such games typically require an i7-5960X or higher for optimal performance in ultra settings.
No, such games typically require an i7-5960X or higher for optimal performance in ultra settings.
Not all titles require powerful hardware. Some games like Far Cry 4 can run without a quad-core processor. The only ones that really need many cores are probably Cities-Skylines, but even then it’s not essential.
Similar titles gain performance from additional processors and faster speeds. Standard applications work well on a solid quad-core setup. Dual-core processors are becoming rare, and creators may stop supporting them. Speaking of firsts—was that your initial ninja experience?
I've never experienced a game with such strong single-core performance as Minecraft. For multicore benefits to match the 5960X, I haven't seen anything except perhaps Skyrim.
Typical visual configurations don’t improve much or at all with CPU speed, meaning whether you can enjoy ultra settings depends largely on your graphics card. It’s mainly about whether the CPU lets your frame rate hit your desired limit. There’s no game where an i7-5960X is essential—just eight hyperthreaded Haswell cores. In most titles that see big gains from four cores, performance hinges on clock speeds. Therefore, the i7-4790K performs comparably and often better than the i7-5960X in the games I’ve tested.
It seems the I5 4690 is likely a great option, but upgrading to something pricier won’t significantly boost performance beyond a small gain.
Your G3258/7790 runs at least 12.5 FPS in Unigine Valley with Ultimate enabled. I'm curious about its performance in GTA V, but that would mean purchasing the game—which goes against my usual preference to avoid spending on individual titles. Maybe we'll revisit this next year...