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Replacement for i5 2500K

justbeingmiko

justbeingmiko

justbeingmiko

Associate
Joined
16 Aug 2013
Posts
81
Hello,

I am looking to build myself a new gaming rig from scratch. The main priorities will be gaming (Simming) and photo editing (large files!). I am planning on running crossfire / SLI GPU arrangement in an aircooled rig, with closed loop water for the processor - with output to a 1440 monitor :)

Currently, I have an i5 2500k which is in a closed loop water cooled system, but I have found it to be a bit uncomfortable on large files and on gaming using crossfired 7950.

So, it is time for a total rebuild. And this is where I get stuck - It has been a while since I built a rig, having had this processor for about 3-4 years (never overclocked, cos PSu not powerful enough to run o/c and cards :S) The interwebs is filled with opinions as to which processor is better, and it has got me completely confused - thought I would come here, cos you guys have been epic at recommendations in the past for me!

Really could do with recommendations for a new CPU on which to build my system. No parts will be carried across, so I have free reign on mobo, PSu, memory etc.

I must admit to being a bit uncertain as to whether to go for an i7 on the X99 platform, or see if I can find a i7 on the older platform, or indeed, any other choices - SO MANY CHOICES!!!

Any advice recommendations would be gratefully welcomed!!

Thanks, like, huge thanks - cos lost!!
 
keep current chip and oc asmuch as poss? upgrade the psu

other options for cpu's would be a 2600k,2700k or a 3770k cpu,any other chips would need a new motherboard aswell
 
wazza300 said:
keep current chip and oc asmuch as poss? upgrade the psu
Click to expand...

Do this ^

If performance is still not up to snuff, then consider a drop-in i7 upgrade (the ones Wazza suggested). Or, failing that, go ahead and upgrade to a new platform - the new PSU won't be wasted since you need one anyway.
 
thanks for the quick replies - I have been reading that the i5 does bottle neck faster dual GPU setups - will these be removed by over clocking my i5?

I do seem to hit a bit of stuttering on my current setup with teh CPU maxed out.
 
Overclocking will go some way to alleviating a CPU bottleneck.

I wouldn't really expect an overclocked i5 to bottleneck dual 7950s at 1440p, generally.

It's certainly worth trying before upgrading the whole PC
 
cheesyboy said:
Overclocking will go some way to alleviating a CPU bottleneck.

I wouldn't really expect an overclocked i5 to bottleneck dual 7950s at 1440p, generally.

It's certainly worth trying before upgrading the whole PC
Click to expand...

I am already finding that my 7950s are not giving me full settings and a good fps at 1440. In particular on simming games such as Race Room and Project Cars - have to turn down settings quite a bit to get a nice smooth 60fps capped - BF4 is good but awfully laggy in some parts and I have to run at high on that game too :() That is the main reason for upgrading , really. I am looking to run a pair of 970 or similar (not decided on that yet either)- so I need new case, a new PSU to support those cards, and well, once I get those, might as well upgrade the whole lot and sell off the old components cos they good and shiny for someone running at 1080 :)

So, the new system, I want to have a bit of headroom, if I ever go triple screen, or upgrade the cards to faster generation when available. Hope that all makes sense :S

p.s should say budget not a concern either - been a while since built a rig so happy to spec it nice and shiny - maybe even consider watercooling it entirely....or electricute myself trying!!
 
I upgraded to a 4790k from a 2500k and well TBH not a HUGE difference, Yes in video rendering a big difference but tbh i had my 2500k @ 4.8ghz and that what i run my 4790k at. I only run a single GPU but dont expect a huge gain for you cash the 2500k is still a very worthy chip.
 
Those racing games are incredibly CPU intensive, add Assetto Corsa to that mix too. In addition to this, Frostbite games like Battlefield benefit from having more cores also.

But as Wazza said I'd overclock your current CPU as much as possible (keeping into consideration temps) and then go from there.
 
Thank you all, this has actually been quite enlightening. Didnt really consider o/c my current chip.

As it is currently water cooled, there would be plenty of thermal leeway for a bit of an o/c and see if it runs any better. I can still get the new GPUs and see how they do on the o/c i5.

Just out of curiosity, with those simming games being very CPu intensive (as is my photo editing) would more cores be worth the punt?

Also, will search for core parking, cos not sure what that means. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
only if the games utilise hyperthreading & more than four cores

if they only take advantage of one core then you wont see any increase,maybe slightly less as the hex cores are slower single core vs quadcore single core

I would oc current cpu first then take things from there if its still struggling
 
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Adobe themselves say 4 cores is fine and although there is a benefit to 6, it's not worth it.

Even FSX only really benefits from 6 cores when it comes to texture loading.

OC your CPU and you will be fine I think.
 
the 2500k is a monster overclocker, If you have it on a watercooling setup (even the crappiest one) will see you hitting 4.6 as a minimum, Im pretty sure a 25% increase in clock speed will see you right for the next 12-18 months
 
Think that is the way to go. Will upgrade PSu, case and GPUs and then can use same memory and mobo - and see how it clocks.

Thanks everyone, really helped me - was ever so confused as to whether that processor had legs for the more advanced GPUs now available.
 
Tomorrow I will be swapping out my 2500k for a 2600k, £20 upgrade after I've sold my 2500k :)

The extra threads should help a little especially in BF4 and Xfire.
 
Crazy that you have the 2500K and you're not overclocking, that's the whole point of those chips, especially as you have a water cooling system.
 
BlackAle said:
Crazy that you have the 2500K and you're not overclocking, that's the whole point of those chips, especially as you have a water cooling system.
Click to expand...

You are not joking - got out of PCs for a good while and that was the processor that was in my system - am now starting to enjoy it more so need to revisit all the things I can do - overclocking being one of them - most definitaly felt like a black art or math, both of which leave me trembling!!
 
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