So, I've been enjoying my FSX computer for about a year now, and I feel that it now needs a refreshment.

 

The current specs are as below:

 

Motherboard: ASRock N68-VS3 FX

CPU: AMD FX-4130 overclocked to 4.1GHz

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master 120V Seidon

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 1GB

RAM: 8GB (4GB x2) DDR3

PSU: Dynex 520W ATX Power Supply

 

I've saved up money since I bought this PC, and I was thinking about upgrading the CPU and the motherboard as well.

After researching for the best parts in my budget, I came to this combination.

 

New CPU: Intel i5-4960K @ 3.5GHz

New Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H or GA-H81M-HD3

 

Although I know that Intel i5's and i7's generally perform better over AMD equivalents, but I want to hear the opinions of others.

Would the Intel i5-4960K perform better than the AMD FX-4130 without overclocking? Also, is this entire upgrade worth the cost (~$270)?

 

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't know about the Intels but the FX-4170 runs extremely well and cool with a stock fan.

So, I've been enjoying my FSX computer for about a year now, and I feel that it now needs a refreshment.

 

The current specs are as below:

 

Motherboard: ASRock N68-VS3 FX

CPU: AMD FX-4130 overclocked to 4.1GHz

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master 120V Seidon

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 1GB

RAM: 8GB (4GB x2) DDR3

PSU: Dynex 520W ATX Power Supply

 

I've saved up money since I bought this PC, and I was thinking about upgrading the CPU and the motherboard as well.

After researching for the best parts in my budget, I came to this combination.

 

New CPU: Intel i5-4960K @ 3.5GHz

New Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H or GA-H81M-HD3

 

Although I know that Intel i5's and i7's generally perform better over AMD equivalents, but I want to hear the opinions of others.

Would the Intel i5-4960K perform better than the AMD FX-4130 without overclocking? Also, is this entire upgrade worth the cost (~$270)?

 

Thanks in advance.

Intel i5-4960K @ 3.5GHz if you mean the I5-4690K 1150 cpu. Yes its faster at stock speed than a FX9590

AMD is not good for FSX poor IPC.

Yes, the Intel I5 will outperform the FX-4130...it's pretty outdated anyway. I've been using the six core 6350 3.9GHZ overclocked just slightly. I works well for me when paired with a decent graphics card.

My system:

ASUS M5A97 monhterboard

AMD FX-6350 CPU

8MB ram

500GB SSD (OS and programs)

1TB HDD (all user data)

MSI GeForce GTX 760 video card

Both FSX and Prepar3d run smoothly with that system....

For your motherboard, go with either an MSI H81-E33 or an Asus H81-Pro.  Both should be able to clock that CPU easily to around 4.2ghz with a low end aftermarket cooler like the coolermaster 212.

 

This would smoke your AMD system (even at stock), and would be well worth the outlay