i3 or i5?

[sehcure]

Buying a build tomorrow, and I was suggested:
i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-360-IN

Which looks amazing, but for £100 or so less the i3-2120 3.30GHz looks decent.

I'm just thinking about putting that money into a better gpu or something, potentially just saving it completely.

One of the reviews said that the main disadvantage of the i3 compared to the i5 is that the i3 is not overclockable, and to be honest for a budget gaming computer it's not really that important.
Any opinions?
Is it worth it?

 

[sehcure]

Yes it is. The i5 is a quad core CPU whereas the i3 is on a dual core so that works out to £50 per core extra (2 extra cores for £100). Your CPU is the main part of the system so try not to skimp on it now if you can, you can always save up and buy a new GPU at a later time.

Stoner81.

I'm really needing to save around £50-100 from the build:

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £154.16
(£184.99) £154.16
(£184.99)
OcUK ATI Radeon HD 6850 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £89.99
(£107.99) £89.99
(£107.99)
Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £70.82
(£84.98) £70.82
(£84.98)
Antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £60.82
(£72.98) £60.82
(£72.98)
Cooler Master Elite 430 Windowed Case - Black £33.32
(£39.98) £33.32
(£39.98)
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX) £24.99
(£29.99) £24.99
(£29.99)
Sub Total : £434.10
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £89.17
Total : £535.02
(I have a 640GB HD and a DVD r/w from my old build.

Is there anything that you think could be 'downgraded' as it were? I know it's a bit of a push..

 

[sehcure]

Total budget is around £440-480, the cheaper the better.
Used for gaming and occasional photoshop work. Nothing serious, which as ironic as it is with this sites name, I doubt I'd want/need to overclock anything..

 

[sehcure]

Ah, thank you sir!
The i5-2400 even appears overclockable according to the review:

Not any reviews on this CPU here yet and since I had mine from January I thought I'd add some info here. Although not a K edition this CPU is still a capable clocker. It has a limited multi of x38 so you can clock this CPU just fine, doing so you get a single core turbo of 3.8Ghz, dual and triple core turbo of 3.7Ghz and a Quad core turbo of 3.6Ghz. And the best bit is all on stock voltage! If you in for a CPU that will perform excellent at stock and even better with a risk free OC then seriously concider this CPU.

Excellent mate, thanks

 

[sehcure]

Oop, just looked at the bundles section, and with - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-083-OE&groupid=43&catid=2047&subcat= , would I not get the i5 2500K 3.30GHz for a few quid more? Is I bought the bundle, and the chosen psu/gpu/case? It's a different motherboard however.
I'd pay the £8 more for 8GB ram.

Without the bundle, and having the [email protected], it's £505.02.
With the bundle, and the [email protected], it's £510

 

[sehcure]

Ugh, ah well worth asking anyway.

Ok i've decided to go for the i5-2400 and just overclock it to 3.8ghz.

Finally, something that people don't usually suggest when suggesting 'builds' to people; would I need any extra cooling? Apart from what comes stock. Like any more fans or heatsinks..or anything.

 

[sehcure]

Thinking of swapping out the antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' psu for this one - BeQuiet Pure Power L8 530W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply - With 120mm Silent Wing Fan Built in

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-053-BQ&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1083


Saves £15+ and should be quieter. Thoughts?

 

[sehcure]

Theyre all pretty quiet PSU's, the ones specced, if you read my post, by buying a coolermaster case and PSU you can use the discount code to save £20 (Heres a review of the CM PSU)

And again, as myself and Marine said an i3 2100 plus decent gfx card (eg 560Ti) gets you a very good gaming PC now, I simply do not understand how anyone can recommend buying an i5 and sacrificing your GPU budget as you will end up with a worse gaming machine

Which discount code is this mate?

 

[sehcure]

Ah, thanks. Coolermaster psu it is!

This is my first build, and i'm looking to buy it all in one order, so is there any connectors or adaptors or anything i'd need? Maybe extra cable-ties or thermal paste or fans or whatever?

 

[sehcure]

YES!!!

As I have said the silent wings is a cracker fan! The fan is around £15 alone. I seriously doubt e.g. Coolermaster is better in the fan department. You can't beat the Silent Wings fan.

Thanks man, it also appears to be smaller than the antec, saving me space for better air flow i guess..

Haven't bought it yet as my money hasn't come through! I was so annoyed when I went to purchase it!


Any more suggestions for changes? I like getting lots of opinions

 

[sehcure]

i3's are for checking emails

Oi, no processor bashing!

Hmm are there any cheaper/better cases??

 

[sehcure]

If I tried to do that i'd fail spectacularly :|

I need a biggish one that has nice airflow or space for extra fans, 'cos I usually always leave my computer on...

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