Gaming CPU - i3 540 @ 4GHz OR i3 2120 @ stock?

[jmp_78]

Simple question really - which would be better for gaming?

Forget upgrading, costs, and alternatives - for budget reasons, these are my main 2 considerations.

Core i3 540 @ 4.0 GHz (overclocked)
OR
Core i3 2120 @ 3.3 GHz (locked at stock)

Rest of system is:
Silverstone SG07 + 600W PSU
4GB Corsair XMS3 1600MHz
Gigabyte H55N-USB3 OR H67 ITX board

Let me know your thoughts please

 

[jmp_78]

Surely the 2120 won't fit in that motherboard?

Ahh. Well spotted!!!!

The motherboard is yet to be purchased, so it would also mean waiting a little longer for a H67 board!

Will amend

 

[jmp_78]

The issue is that sandybridge has about a 10-15% clock for clock advantage. With this in mind the i3 540 at 4ghz should be quicker

This is what I was after - good man. Would I be worth getting am i3 550 or 560 instead, or is a 540 just as good at getting to 4GHz?

PS, please note my motherboard amendment/faux pas above!

 

[jmp_78]

Since you are going for a mini-ITX based build I would go for the Core i3-2120. If you were going for a mATX or ATX based build I would go for the Core i3 540. This is because the Core i3-2120 will be easier to cool and will consume less power.

Hey, thanks for the post. Power is not an issue as the SG07 comes with a 600W PSU supplied... however, I'd not thought about temps.

Am under the impression that with stock volts, the original i3's are fairly cool though?

 

[jmp_78]

I dont think even temp is really an issue on 540. Mine running at 4.2 idles at 20 and loads to around 38-40. Which is great.

Hey Tomcat, that's good to hear. What case and cooler are you using?

 

[jmp_78]

Gone for i3 560 in the end - couldn't wait, and wanna OC!

 

[jmp_78]

Would be interesting to see what you can get out of it whilst being prime + IBT stable to see if it's worth the extra £20-£25 over the 530.

Will let you know. £20 more than 540 at OcUK so thought I'd give it a whirl. Main hope is that I can keep volts and temps down. In the end I couldn't wait for M-ITX H67 boards, and then know that I wouldn't be able to play about overclocking with a (locked) i3 2xxx. So, roll on Wednesday

 

[jmp_78]

Is overclocking "straightforward" on a H55 mobo, or is a P55 more suitable?

Well I hope so, from the reviews I've read of the H55N-USB3 it's a good overclocker.

My understanding was that the H55 will overclock, the new H67 will not.