i3 vs i5

robbw77

robbw77

robbw77

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Im currently upgrading my PC, atm im upgrading the cpu and motherboard, now im wondering if i need to spend the extra cash on an i5 if an i3 is that much different.

I play a lot of games on my pc, so im thinking i5 is probably best but is the i3 more than capable?
 
i3 is fine for gaming in games that are single or dual threaded, but anything that makes use of 3 or more cores will run much better on an i5 in comparison.

If you can afford an i5 then get one! ;)
 
The i3 isn't bad as such, it's a "faux" quadcore as it has hyperthreading but it's really a dual core CPU. What we tend to do is spec a Z series mobo with the i3 so a quad core i5K can be upgraded to and could then be overclocked later on.

It's largely going to come down to your budget. Nothing technically wrong with getting a non K i5 and a more basic mobo to run it, if that suits your budget better. It's nice to have the double whammy of a i5K unlocked CPU and a Z mobo if you can though.

If you gave us a budget to work to you could see a few suggestions. I'm hoping you have DDR3 RAM ;)
 
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It's fine for most existing games, but can't handle games that are meant for quad cores. This will hit hard with upcoming games. I'd strongly recommend against getting one new unless you are only interested in certain games that are fine with it.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £185.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PV38G160C9K) £49.99
Total : £307.38 (includes shipping : £9.50).



Mobo is B grade so it might be missing sata cables. Little over the £300 but it's a very good single GPU mobo that can overclock the i5K. Let's say you could get 4Ghz on the stock heatsink, add a better aftermarket cooler if you want to go higher but you can do that later on and they don't have to be expensive (£25-30)
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £185.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PV38G160C9K) £49.99
Total : £307.38 (includes shipping : £9.50).




You can afford a i5 CPU now as above.

The Z77-D3H is the best budget Z77 motherboard, if you dont want a Bgrade item then stock of new boards will be in this week.

What does "B-Grade" mean?
B-Grade items are manufacturer's repairs or items we are unable to sell as new, they may be subject to packaging damage or may be a brown box product. All B-Grade items come with a 90 day warranty and may be missing items such as driver CD's and cables. Unfortunately we are unable to provide you with the reason why this is B-Grade as each B-Grade item is different.
Click to expand...
 
honosuseri said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £185.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £60.00
1 x Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PV38G160C9K) £49.99
Total : £307.38 (includes shipping : £9.50).



Mobo is B grade so it might be missing sata cables. Little over the £300 but it's a very good single GPU mobo that can overclock the i5K. Let's say you could get 4Ghz on the stock heatsink, add a better aftermarket cooler if you want to go higher but you can do that later on and they don't have to be expensive (£25-30)
Click to expand...


Looks good, thanks for that, i will likely get this

the mobo is missing cables tho?
 
robbw77 said:
Looks good, thanks for that, i will likely get this

the mobo is missing cables tho?
Click to expand...

No problem fella :)

Stulid kindly answered the B grade Q for me. The price at B grade is a bargain frankly, must be a £30ish saving. That would allow the B grade plus cooler vs the new Z77-D3H alone :)

You've been a member over a year. Shame you've not been a little more active on the forum. At 100 posts you could well lose that nasty P&P which took the spec over budget ;)
 
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