i5 or i7?

will0812 · 6 Dec 2009 at 12:56

I really cannot decide which to go for with my new build.
It will be pretty much completely for gaming which some say the i5 is better for but im not so sure. I plan to OC whichever i get but i have never OC'd before so i might not be that successful. Really cannot make my mind up between the two. Another thing i want to consider is how "Future Proof" each setup would be.

Basically would you go for:
- i7 + 6GB Ram (1600Mhz) + Asus Rampage II Extreme
- i5 + 4GB Ram (1600Mhz) + Asus Maximus III Formula
Both at Stock

How easy are both to overclock?

If the i7 was OC'd to 4GHz and the i5 to only 3.6Ghz which would be the best then?

The main game i will be playing is Call of Duty 4, with others not as important.

Also, if i chose to go for this screen: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-075-VS&groupid=17&catid=949&subcat=
Would a 5850 be enough ? or would you suggest a 5870?

Thanks,

Venares · 6 Dec 2009 at 12:58

The i5 with 5850 would be MORE than enough for COD4 on at that resoulution.
Obviously the the higher clocked i7 would be superior, but for your usage you'd never notice it.

Nuwidol · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:00

5850 will be plenty for that resolution screen but why are you going for a 3d screen when an ati card can't make use of it?

Go for the i5. The difference when gaming is negligible but the price difference is huge for both set ups. With the money saved from the i7 set up I would suggest putting it towards a bigger (24") screen.

will0812 · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:04

That screen is for the 120Hz Refresh, as currently im using a CRT and the last TFT someone bought me was horrible to use.

If you can suggest other 120Hz screens i would look into those.

And the i5 and 5850 would be enough, and im pretty sure ill get the 5850 as the extra performance from a 5870 doesnt justify the extra price, But there is something about the i7 that makes me want it

your_mum · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:07

Dude, Don't get either the 5870 or 5850, get 2 5770's, 100 or so quid less, 2GB GDDR5 Memory, instead of 1.

95thrifles · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:11

your_mum said:
Dude, Don't get either the 5870 or 5850, get 2 5770's, 100 or so quid less, 2GB GDDR5 Memory, instead of 1.

Video memory doesnt work like that, he'd still only have 1 gig really, just twice

I'd agree with i5 as the best choice, however why would you only clock this to 3.6 not 4.0? Not really a fair comparison, lol

Geckovich · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:13

your_mum said:
Dude, Don't get either the 5870 or 5850, get 2 5770's, 100 or so quid less, 2GB GDDR5 Memory, instead of 1.

I agree with what you're saying (crossfired 5770s) it doesn't work that way. Each card has 1gb but you don't get 2gb overall. The data in each card's memory will just be identical, or mirrored.

will0812 · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:14

I can see your point but i would prefer just a single GPU. And the 5850 will probably be bought elsewhere as the prices here are very high right now, which means that if i was to buy a Sapphire 5850 or 2x Sapphire 5770's the 5850 is actually £40 cheaper.

However i am also considering 2x 5770's

will0812 · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:15

I know its not fair to clock the i7 at 4 and i5 at 3.6, But i assumed the i7 would be slightly easier to clock? As i say ive never attempted OC'ing before so i dont know if i would be able to get 4Ghz stable from the i5, but i know nothing

thevet · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:18

will0812 said:
I know its not fair to clock the i7 at 4 and i5 at 3.6, But i assumed the i7 would be slightly easier to clock? As i say ive never attempted OC'ing before so i dont know if i would be able to get 4Ghz stable from the i5, but i know nothing

ocing is easy mate,its not hard at all you just keep all voltages within the requirements and reboot ur pc,there is alos loads to read on the web and youtube is a great place to start for ocing i5/17

will0812 · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:20

thevet said:
ocing is easy mate,its not hard at all you just keep all voltages within the requirements and reboot ur pc,there is alos loads to read on the web and youtube is a great place to start for ocing i5/17

Yea.. as i understand it basically you fiddle with the Bus speed, Multiplier and Voltages. But, do the i5 and i7 clock to roughly the same clock speeds?

95thrifles · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:21

i7 will go slightly higher, typically 4.0-4.2 can be expected, you should still be able to get an i5 to 3.8-4.0 though
Obviously people do get these higher, I'm just saying what the average person can expect without too much work

will0812 · 6 Dec 2009 at 13:28

Ok thanks, well thats why i put them at slightly different clock speeds because i thought the i7 clocked a bit faster.
If i went with i7 i was going to go with http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-000-PL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395 but it doesnt fit socket 1156, so what should i go with for i5? I know there is a Mega Shadow edition of the Magahalems that has socket 1156 suitability, but its quite a bit more in price. Although i guess ill be saving money on the processor and MB so should i go for the Mega Shadow Magahalems?