I7 3820 vs I7 3930k & Dual 680 SLI vs GTX 690

DotFifty89 · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:03

Hey guys i am buying a new pc soon, and i am stuck on choice between these. I am currently looking at the I7 3820 with dual 2GB 680 SLI, or I7 3930K with the single 4GB GTX 690. Doesn't actually have to be paired up like that but im just spoilt spoilt for choice and dont know which to get, hmm what would you guys do?

Doomedspeed · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:11

What are your pc uses?

That could help decide which is best suited.

You really don't have the worst problem in the world.

DotFifty89 · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:36

A lot of gaming at ultra settings, and i want the pc to last me atleast 5 years

bemaniac · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:38

hmm 5 years. You might get away with 4x4gb 680s and a 3930k at 5.2ghz if you want medium settings in 5 years

Chrisbes · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:46

It depends on whether you're willing to put the money forward for the performance.
For the 3820 v 3930k. You're paying (roughly) £230 more, based on OCuks prices.
Is there anything specific stopping you from going down the I7 3770k route and overclocking?

As for the GPUs:
2x GTX 680 will cost slightly less than a 690 and perform slightly better. The problems is the 680s take up two PCI-e slots compared to one with the 690.
General temperatures with the 680s will be slightly higher, as will power consumption.
You may (If you're affected by it) get microstutter - but that's the same with both cards.
Again - Is there anything stopping you from going for 2x 670s or 2x 7950s/7970s?

Also bare in mind - A GTX 690 only really has 2gb Vram, not the "Advertised" 4gb (In reality)

Benchmarks for a general idea of performance:
CPUs - 3820 v 3930k - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/552?vs=523
GPUs - SLI 680 v Single 690 - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/585?vs=586
CFx 7970 v SLI 680 - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/588?vs=585

AshD93 · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:54

Save your money, buy a GTX 670 and i5, and keep upgrading as your computer starts to struggle.

Then it will last 5 years easily. Blowing it all at once won't.

Chrisbes · 14 Jan 2013 at 21:09

AshD93 said:
Save your money, buy a GTX 670 and i5, and keep upgrading as your computer starts to struggle.

Then it will last 5 years easily. Blowing it all at once won't.

Depends - The 3930k will last longer than a SB or IB I5. It has a better upgrade path as 1155 is considered "dead" (No more CPUs being made for that socket) whereas 2011 has IB-E as a potential upgrade path (Not that he would need it any time soon)

For gaming, the 3930k does seem a bit of a waste as 6 cores plus hyperthreading are not really going to be fully utilized (minus a few examples)

As for GPUs, that's completely up to you. Do you want the best performance you can get right now? Or would you rather spend less, still get decent performance and (maybe) add an extra card in the future?

Doomedspeed · 14 Jan 2013 at 21:12

For me this seems a situation where the 3820 actually makes sense.

It is a beefed up 3770k (only a bit though).

Id go GTX 670 SLI.

Chrisbes · 14 Jan 2013 at 21:17

Doomedspeed said:
For me this seems a situation where the 3820 actually makes sense.

It is a beefed up 3770k (only a bit though).

Id go GTX 670 SLI.

The 3820 does seem like a good idea. It offers a little more future proofing.
As for SLI 670s - Have a look at 7950s. Comparable performance (Better, same, slightly worse) but cheaper. Again - Personal preference.

DotFifty89 · 14 Jan 2013 at 21:19

Think im going to go for the 690, and the 3820, the 3930k is a lot more expensive

squarehead94 · 14 Jan 2013 at 21:42

Id go 3930k - I have the same situation as you. 690 is OTT. essentially its a double gtx 680. Personally, I'd get 2 GTX 680s or 2 7970's, a 3930k, and a beefy PSU, probs a 1000w corsair series. everyone like oh just get an i5 better for gaming. shut up. 5 years ago no games ran multi cores, well very few did. and as others say, SB is a dead socket now with no upgrades, overclocking yes, but no CPU upgrade in the future. I'd definitely get the 3930k.

DotFifty89 · 14 Jan 2013 at 22:31

The reason why i was going for the 690 is because i could add another one to it at a later date

squarehead94 · 14 Jan 2013 at 22:35

2 690s? quad sli will be just as good, although i doubt 2 690s would be necessary in 5 years time.

Doomedspeed · 14 Jan 2013 at 22:41

squarehead94 said:
Id go 3930k - I have the same situation as you. 690 is OTT. essentially its a double gtx 680. Personally, I'd get 2 GTX 680s or 2 7970's, a 3930k, and a beefy PSU, probs a 1000w corsair series. everyone like oh just get an i5 better for gaming. shut up. 5 years ago no games ran multi cores, well very few did. and as others say, SB is a dead socket now with no upgrades, overclocking yes, but no CPU upgrade in the future. I'd definitely get the 3930k.

Just gaming you'll never come near to using the power of the 3930K, where as a CPU which is £200 cheaper could do the same job with no noticeable difference.

squarehead94 said:
2 690s? quad sli will be just as good, although i doubt 2 690s would be necessary in 5 years time.

2 X 690's is Quad SLI..

I would go for the 690 over 2 x 680's. Firstly itll be cooler, more overclock able and yes you'll have the ability to 'double them up' if you need too.

For the money of a GTX 690 you'd struggle to get 2 x GTX 680's 4GB.

Aslong as its within your budget a GTX 690 will be ideal.

Idleman · 14 Jan 2013 at 23:48

This will do.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus HD 7990 ARES 2 6144MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £1199.99
Total : £1,211.39 (includes shipping : £9.50).

kitkat9933 · 14 Jan 2013 at 23:53

3820 is a waste of a CPU, only useful thing is when you get a bigger budget the 2011 socket will still be around so you could upgrade. However, the 3820 is actually worse than the 3770k (worse overclocker).

Personally, I'd go for the 3930k.