4 core vs 8 core CPU's

[CapNCrunch]

I would like to know if a 4 core CPU is better for gaming than an 8 core. I know games dont use all 8 cores on certain programs. I wanted to buy a new CPU. I was looking at the AMD FX-4350 Vishera 4.2GHz Quad-Core CPU over an AMD FX-8350 4.0Ghz. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Omega X]

Most games today barely take advantage of 4 cores. Very few use 8 cores. That might change with new consoles on the horizon. Now if you were encoding video or audio, I'd say go for the 8 core. Out of those two however, the 8 core is faster according to benchmark sites.

But at $200 it might be worth going with an Intel quad core, Ivy Bridge(3570k) or Haswell(4670-non"k").

[Magnarok]

a good cpu and mboard can last you for 5 years, its the videocard that needs the most regular upgrade

[Legendary old man]

Do not buy a gaming CPU without reading this.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106.html
I hate to tell you but for most games a dual core i3 will beat most AMD CPU's. The best value in a gaming CPU is an i5. An i5 3350P is less than $200.00 and is likely the most bang for your buck for gaming.

[VapeEscape]

+1

[Biff]

I currently have two systems; Intel quad core first gen i7 and an AMD dual core. a GTX 520 w/the Intel and a 6750 radeon with the AMD. Playing Skyrim on both, no issues. From what I've read, you're fine with a dual core. I can't think of any game or software that takes advantage of four or more cores. But its the trinity you need to concern yourself with; cpu, ram and graphics. Let's say you went with an octa core, 8GB of ram, either a 700 series nVidia or 7000 series Radeon, you'd have a fast system, especially with a ssd drive. But budgets are what they are. Facedown made an excellent suggestion. I'd add 16GB of RAM and one of the two graphics I suggested. Use those as a guideline and play around with numbers until you meet your budget. If you're talking about a new cpu, and you were, you are talking about a new system in general, which also means a mobo as well.

[Joker]

The CPU sweet spot would be 4 cores at 3 or 4 Ghz. Anything else is overkill or underpowered.

[untiltable mountain]

Intel i5 2500k and you will roll like a boss

[Marble]

Originally posted by riffahlc175:

I currently have two systems; Intel quad core first gen i7 and an AMD dual core. a GTX 520 w/the Intel and a 6750 radeon with the AMD. Playing Skyrim on both, no issues.

I'd add 16GB of RAM and one of the two graphics I suggested.

Sorry but, these two GPU's are in an entirely different league from one another in terms of performance and on top of that neither would be recommended if only because they are old, but also because the GT (not GTX) 520 is a terrible card for performance and the 6750 is difficult to find and has long since been replaced by the 7750.

For CPU's, games don't use typically more than two cores. Some games like BF4 can make use of 6 cores, but for the most part one or two cores is normal. Intel CPU's give the best performance per core, but games rely mostly on GPU these days so any i5/i7 from the last 4 years will suffice, or one of AMD's newest FX CPU's too, in gaming you won't notice a difference.

[Biff]

I suggested 600 series nVidia or 7000 series Radeon. Not what I have. Mine are long in the tooth, so to speak, but like I said I have no issues.