Put it in terms of time, you're talking being able to run a machine for up to 10 years on a single CPU with the i7 for most everything besides perhaps major, current-genĀ gaming, while that i5 won't last you any more than 6-7 years.
#Intel burn test fx8350 series#
comparable i7 in current gen, unlocked series with no overclock gives you roughly a 30% processing power improvement in the i7. By significantly higher, I mean anywhere from 15%-30% higher maximum capability if we're talking apples to apples (not even counting that you can get 8-core i7s and nothing higher than quad-core i5s now, but even quad vs quad, the i7 still has a handy 15% minimum K-series to K-series chip improvement over the i5. but the price difference will be negligible anyway in that case. Skimping on CPU = shortsighted, and i5 vs i7 is a lousy choice, because the top-end on an i7 is significantly higher than on the i5 unless you are comparing the bottom of the barrel i7 vs a top of the line i5. which if you keep the machine long enough will never be an issue. there is never a good reason to ever skimp on a CPU unless you will never utilize it to potential. CPU is the most expensive part in every computer to upgrade. that would be like buying a work-truck and skimping on the engine power so you can get a bigger truck bed or hitch for towing O_O, it makes no sense when you're reducing your working capability to do it. A computer is built entirely around the CPU, and everything the machine does is based upon and runs through the CPU. It is never a good idea to skimp on CPU and spend up on RAM/SSD. AMD doesn't build in the GPUs which is another huge cost savings for gamers as that money is better spend on a vid card. While they may not have the flashy stats, they do hold their own. The other communications metrics are usually won by AMD as well. AMD can't touch single core processing, but it has better multi-core communication. What I still see it boil down to, is if the AMD processor is a brand new release, it will usually be competitive for mufti-threaded processing for a cheaper price. Gerard's link shows comparable hardware from release times and shows a lot closer comparison in stats.
![intel burn test fx8350 intel burn test fx8350](https://www.techpowerup.com/download/images/132_large.png)
Of course the technology will outstrip the older processor. This is a 2012 AMD processor vs a 2014 Intel. I'm an AMD fan and I'll admit Intel is leading the market, but your comparison is valid, but faulty. But you'll pay for it on the back end with a higher electric bill, both directly from the CPU and from the increased AC usage from the heat thrown off. However, the other consideration is that AMD is quite power hungry, which is where that heat comes from. CPU Boss bears this out for the most part: