How can I decide which processor to get?

[Revolt]

I know about CPUs but there's so much choice I can't decide which one to get. Anyway I could narrow my search or any you'd recommend. I don't really want to spend over £300 on one and will be using it for lots of things like school work, video editing and gaming. I'll mainly be using it for gaming. Please help me decide

 

[Si105]

Do you have a motherboard already?

Anyway i5 760 if you're mostly gaming with some video editing. But it depends what you mean by video editing, cutting some clips in windows movie maker isn't going to need an i7 is it.

 

[cmndr_andi]

If you are in a position to wait - then waiting until January 9th would be my suggestion.

By then Intel "Sandy Bridge" will be released and your CPU choice will be much easier, especially if you are doing CPU heavy stuff like video editing.

 

[avatar12m]

i've had a i5 750 for 8 months great cpu , but next upgrade i'm off back to amd due to intels retarded socket changes.

 

[Revolt]

I'm thinking Intel Core i5 650 3.20GHz (Clarkdale) or Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz (Bloomfield). Any help?

 

[cmndr_andi]

I would definitely not go for the i5 650. It is only a dual core.

The i7 950 is a good CPU, but not really worth the money over the i7 930, which in turn is not really worth the money over the i5 760 if you plan on gaming. Hence, if you need to buy a gaming CPU right now - then get an i5 760.

However, if you can wait until the Sandy Bridge release - I would.

 

[Revolt]

K it looks like Ill probably get that i5 760 but why does everyone suggest that rather then the i5 650 which has more GHz but 2 less cores

 

[cmndr_andi]

but why does everyone suggest that rather then the i5 650 which has more GHz but 2 less cores

Because most applications these days are at least lightly multi-threaded - so the extra cores brings a lot more extra computing power to bear compared the slightly higher clockspeed of the 650. This performance comparison shows the difference.

 

[the1gooner]

I've just sold my Core i5 750 and am now running a Core i3 540 till Sandy Bridge processors are available.

The thing is I have not really noticed a difference in anything I do, including gaming. So I am now wondering whether it will be worth upgrading to a Sandy Bridge setup in the new year.

Probably will do though as can't help but upgrade to new bits.

 

[SeraphX]

depending on your motherboard for best cost go for either i5 760 or amd phenom x4 965

 

[Basill]

Sounds like a i5 760 is the cpu for you.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Hey Juvenile

If you want to get some great performance and keep as much money in your pocket as possible then for approx £100 you could buy an AMD® Athlon™ II X3 TripleCore and a newer AMD® 880G motherboard for a few pounds over £100 . . . yes thats right both processor and motherboard for less money than just an Intel® Core™ i5 i760!

 

[JonJ678]

Is this £300 on a cpu, or on cpu, motherboard and ram? It makes quite a big difference. Likewise if you already have a load of ddr2 ram or not makes a considerable difference as to what the best choice is.

 

[Essexraptor]

Hey Juvenile

If you want to get some great performance and keep as much money in your pocket as possible then for approx £100 you could buy an AMD® Athlon™ II X3 TripleCore and a newer AMD® 880G motherboard for a few pounds over £100 . . . yes thats right both processor and motherboard for less money than just an Intel® Core™ i5 i760!

Nice one BigWayne... good advice as always

Or look out for the specials

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-268-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803

like this AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core 640 for a extra £5 and cheapest quad core action without throwing all your hard earned pocket money at a i5 system