i3 vs AMD Phenom

**Amc_wi69** · 07-09-2012, 07:40 PM

Ok Im looking to get a low end gaming computer for now and have a question about cpu's. I was thinking about using the i3 2120 or the AMD Phenom II X4 975 Black Edition 3.6GHz. I get more cores and higher hertz with the AMD but Ive heard that the i3 (dual core) still out performs the AMD cpu.

Here is what I have to ask:

Would it be better to go with AMD since it has more cores since (that Ive read) FSX is very dependent on the cpu?
Or is the i3 a better choice even though it has less cores? (Apparently Intels cpu design greatly out performs AMD)
Whats are your thoughts or suggestions on this?

Ive been reading other forums, looking at newegg & tiger direct yet Im still trying to wrap my head around the thought that AMD can offer a 6 core or even an 8 core cpu at the same price as a low end quad core cpu from Intel. What gives?

***JSkorna*** · 07-09-2012, 07:54 PM

I have the X4 965 and it rocks in FSX! Don't go for anything above 4 cores.

***loki*** · 07-09-2012, 08:28 PM

Apparently Intels cpu design greatly out performs AMD

This is the main factor in answering your question below.

yet Im still trying to wrap my head around the thought that AMD can offer a 6 core or even an 8 core cpu at the same price as a low end quad core cpu from Intel. What gives?

Clock for clock, Intel's CPUs are more powerful than AMD's offerings. This forces AMD to compete on price and other features. More cores is not always better, though. Especially when it comes to games and sims where most still can't fully use more than 2-4 cores. For those programs that do scale well with more cores, AMD can be a good choice.

AMD's latest generation also do not perform better than the previous Phenom II models in games/sims.

In this case, the AMD is probably going to perform a little better. The AMD BE editions can also be overclocked, which will further boost performance. If you jump to a Core i5, Intel is the way to go.