This study examines the performance of four constitutive models according to capacity in predicting metal fatigue life under proportional and non-proportional loading conditions. These cyclic plasticity models are the multi-surface models of Mroz and Garud, and the non-linear kinematic hardening models of Armstrong-Frederick and Chaboche. The range of abilities of these models is studied in detail. Furthermore, the plastic strain energy under multiaxial fatigue condition is calculated in the cyclic plasticity models by the stress-strain hysteresis loops. Using the results of these models, the fatigue lives that have set in the energy-based fatigue model are predicted and evaluated with the reported experimental data of 1% Cr-Mo-V steel in the literature. Consequently, the optimum model in the loading condition for this metal is chosen based on life factor.