PART 3 - Core i5 3570k vs FX-8350 Gaming Windows 8 vs Windows 7 Linus Tech Tips

In this third part of Linus Tech Tips’ performance comparison between the Core i5 3570K and the FX-8350, the hosts dive into Windows 7 and Windows 8 gaming performance across multiple titles. They establish two test benches: an AMD FX-8350 system at 4.6 GHz paired with 8 GB of RAM and a Crosshair 5 motherboard, and an Intel Core i5-3570K system at 4.2 GHz on an Maximus 5 board with the same memory configuration, each running a GTX 660 Ti (OC) and both connected to an SSD for Windows 7 and Windows 8. The video emphasizes overclocking as a key factor, noting typical safe ranges for these chips, and discusses cost differences between the platforms, including variations in motherboard pricing and peripheral features. The team then proceeds to benchmark across a set of titles including Far Cry 3, Battlefield 3, Skyrim with mods, Dirt 3, Witcher 2, Metro 2033, and Crisis 2, comparing performance under Windows 7 and Windows 8, with and without anti-aliasing, and under different memory speeds. Throughout, they highlight the tradeoffs between raw frame rates, minimums, and averages, concluding that Windows 8 generally provides stronger gaming performance or smoother minimums in several titles, but results are title dependent and influenced by platform costs and heat output. They also point out practical issues encountered, such as some games requiring Windows Live reinstallation to work properly, and remind viewers that higher frame rates in certain high-refresh setups may be imperceptible in real-world gameplay. The episode wraps with nuanced takeaways that Windows 8 can offer performance advantages, but not universally across all titles, and that the decision ultimately hinges on price, heat, and personal preference for platform features.

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