Intel i5

[mart1985]

I am looking to build a new gaming pc and have been told that the i5 is more suitable for this task than the i7.

If this is indeed true, please can people advise me which i5 is the best? I will be looking to overclock (either now or in the future) and my price range is up to £300.

 

[Martini1991]

i5 3570k.
More suited for gaming on a price/performance situation, as games tend not to use more than 4 threads (And don't even seem to use 4 all that much either)

 

[mart1985]

Do you know what speed I could safely overclock that too? Also do you know a suitable motherboard?

 

[Martini1991]

Well 4.4-4.6GHZ seems easily attainable on the i5 3570k.
Something like this would be nice http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-200-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2261

 

[mart1985]

I'm afraid I don't know much about computers; could you explain what would be the advantages of going for that motherboard over something in the £80-90 region?

 

[ilovetechno]

i5 2500K temps will be lower and also chip is cheaper!

 

[ilovetechno]

I'm afraid I don't know much about computers; could you explain what would be the advantages of going for that motherboard over something in the £80-90 region?

That mobo will allow you to easy OC your chip! Whats the mobo for 80-90£ youre thinking in going for?

 

[Martini1991]

i5 2500K temps will be lower and also chip is cheaper!

Don't see the point in going for a 2500k over a 3570k in all honesty.
Sure they might clock a bit better, but all in all end performance isn't much difference.

You just get the PCI-E 3.0 controller on the 3570k though.

This board would be fine as well ; http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-391-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2261

 

[mart1985]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice

 

[biuro74]

Don't see the point in going for a 2500k over a 3570k in all honesty.
[...]but all in all end performance isn't much difference.
You just get the PCI-E 3.0 controller on the 3570k though.

PCIe 3.0 isn't performance difference either, so I can't see point in going for a bit expensive 3570k over 2500k in all honesty, if both are the same in general

 

[Martini1991]

PCIe 3.0 isn't performance difference either, so I can't see point in going for a bit expensive 3570k over 2500k in all honesty, if both are the same in general

Neither the 3570k or 2500k are going to bottleneck GPU's anytime soon especially clocked.
However, in the future, could the same be said of PCI-E 2.0 versus PCI-E 3.0? I'd always take the PCI-E 3.0 option.

Except, at OCUK both are 179.99 pound, so the 3570k would be the better buy.

 

[MarkA]

I just did what you are doing:

Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - OEM £139.99
Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £70.82
Corsair Vengeance RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-15000C9 1866MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9R) £34.99
Cooler Master Hyper 612S CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/1156/1155/775/AM3/AM2+/AM2) £27.49
FREE SHIPPING (DPD Next Day): £0.00
VAT: £54.66
Order Total: £327.95

Not sure if prices have changed since 2 weeks ago?

BTW, games are now flying on this machine, and I can clock to 4.5GHz with this setup without any problems. GFX = ATI 6950 @ flashed to 6970.

 

[mart1985]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Given the similar prices I will probably go with the 3570k and one of the motherboards suggested by Martini1991 (probably the more expensive one).

Thanks for the breakdown MarkA, that looks pretty similar to what I am looking at. Is that cooler sufficient for keeping the temps down whilst running @ 4.5GHz?

 

[MarkA]

Yeah, at full load they are around 65 ish. Pretty decent from what I can tell.

In all honesty, you need to weigh up the board against cost and see if the more expensive one is worth the extra £40.

Cheers.
Good luck with whatever you choose!