For our discrete GPU benchmarks, we have split them up into the different GPU configurations we have tested. We have access to both MSI GTX 770 Lightning GPUs and ASUS reference HD 7970s, for SLI and Crossfire respectively. These tests are all run at 1080p and maximum settings, reporting the average and minimum frame rates.

dGPU Benchmarks: 2x MSI GTX770 Lightning

F1 2013

F1 2013: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

F1 2013: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Despite the lack of scaling, moving to dual GPU puts a larger rift between the i3 and the other CPUs for average FPS in 2013.

Bioshock Infinite

Bioshock Infinite: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Bioshock Infinite: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Tomb Raider: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Sleeping Dogs: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

While average FPS takes a ~10% drop from i3 to i5, the same 10 FPS drop is seen in the minimum frame rates but this equates more to a ~20% decline.

Company of Heroes 2

Company Of Heroes 2: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Company Of Heroes 2: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Battlefield 4

Battlefield 4: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

Battlefield 4: 1080p Max, 2x GTX 770

When you start adding the GPU horsepower, the i3 core count becomes a hindrance in minimum FPS values for BF4.

dGPU Benchmarks: 1x MSI GTX770 Lightning dGPU Benchmarks: 1x ASUS HD7970
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  • ilkhan - Sunday, May 11, 2014 - link

    With 9-series, Intel is enabling Rapid Storage Technology 13, allowing UEFI support, RADI 0/1/5/10
    Think you meant RAID.
  • Ian Cutress - Sunday, May 11, 2014 - link

    Interesting, I remember correcting that a couple of days ago in an edit. Might not have saved. Updated :)
  • ahar - Sunday, May 11, 2014 - link

    I await your correction in the conclusion with bated breath. ;)
  • Bugfree - Sunday, May 11, 2014 - link

    Reading the conclusions I agree that Intel is somehow underperforming, since...well...they can. No real challengers or competition from AMD at this point. I really hope this changes soon...
  • schizoide - Sunday, May 11, 2014 - link

    Exactly. Intel doesn't _need_ to release anything. They essentially have no competitors at the high-end space. AMD's CPUs can't even compete with the i3.
  • nandnandnand - Sunday, May 11, 2014 - link

    It would take a miracle to inject competition into the CPU market: http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1322247
  • Jaaap - Monday, May 12, 2014 - link

    We need that miracle.
    This "Haswell Refresh" is total nonsense. It is just shuffling a bit with names and frequencies.

    Where is the looooong overdue desktop quadcore with Iris Pro?
  • ReaM - Sunday, November 23, 2014 - link

    "AMD's CPUs can't even compete with the i3"

    I think you've read some other article, because A8-7600 destroys the equally priced i3 in most tests.

    The gaming benchmarks are skewed towards intel in this review because they've used 1280x1084 resolution on most gaming tests. Many of the games don't run well on full HD and intel.
  • John3000 - Saturday, November 28, 2015 - link

    AMD CPU's like fx 8350 are beaten in some game by i3 by a very small margin but in most they are close to Core i5 and in many AAA Game are near to core i7 in performance.
  • shorne21592159 - Thursday, May 15, 2014 - link

    i have just changed to using amd apus after many years using intel chips .im really enjoying amd and what they are doing at the moment with lot of hope for the future and although not as fast as intels at moment they do the job at the moment well for me ,plus i seem to be able to overclock amd chips much more than an intel with less problems for some reason

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