Time to upgrade to Intel Core i7 or i5 (Advice please)

Ice_Black · 21 May 2011 at 21:09

It is time for upgrade, I have gone a bit behind with CPU technology update, which CPU do you recommend and a motherboard?

I am thinking getting a Intel Core i7 or i5 but which one is right for me?

I do some photoshop, video encoding (Convert media HD to DVD), web development and browsing. I do not play games.

My budget is around £300

Current spec of my PC:
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3-Ghz
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2
ATI Radeon HD 4650
1TB Samsung Hard Drive
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M3A78-T
Windows 7 (Full)

ng93 · 21 May 2011 at 21:14

You'd be hard pressed to get an i7 and motherboard for £300 so id vote i5 2500k (unless you spend the money from selling your AMD proc/mobo on a motherboard?).

Ice_Black · 21 May 2011 at 21:22

ng93 said:
You'd be hard pressed to get an i7 and motherboard for £300 so id vote i5 2500k (unless you spend the money from selling your AMD proc/mobo on a motherboard?).

Hmm thats true.. I might get Intel Core i5 2500K

Which motherboard do you recommend for that?

How does the speed differ between Intel Core i5 2500K and AMD Phenom II X4 945 3-Ghz i have now

ng93 · 21 May 2011 at 21:33

i5 2500k vs phenom ii x4 955 (link) (didn't have a 945 but the 955 is only 200mhz faster)

Also if your overclocking the difference will be bigger as the 2500k has more headroom than the phenom.

I'll let someone else recommend a motherboard as I don't know which is best however I will say that if you want to use the i5's quick sync then get a Z68 chipset. If not then you could get a P67 but make sure its B3/Revision 3.

sk82jack · 21 May 2011 at 21:33

This is the 955 vs the 2500k.

You'll need new RAM as well which pushes it over buget a bit.

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor £164.99

MSI P67A-G45 Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £99.98

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) £39.98

Total : £316.36 (includes shipping : £9.50)

stulid · 21 May 2011 at 21:54

I wouldn't get that motherboard its not very good, a C45 will save a £10

J-FRO · 21 May 2011 at 22:02

Would probably try and upgrade the PSU to something more reliable like this as well.

Ice_Black · 21 May 2011 at 22:13

What about Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 motherboard?

Do you think I should wait for AMD 8-core Bulldozer ?

stulid · 21 May 2011 at 22:16

If you want a single gpu setup then the MSI C45 is perfect.

For multi gpu then the GD53

sk82jack · 21 May 2011 at 22:17

Ice_Black said:
What about Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 motherboard?

Firstly its £140 and blows your budget completely out of the water. Second Asus have had their fair share of problems with their P67 range, probably best to stay clear just incase.

Ice_Black · 21 May 2011 at 22:25

Thanks for suggestion guys..

How do you feel about AMD 8-core Bulldozer?

Do you think I should wait and will AMD 8-core Bulldozer meet my budget?

stulid · 21 May 2011 at 22:33

Its sensible to wait now, it's so close

Ice_Black · 22 May 2011 at 11:00

Yeah I think I will wait..

Is AMD 8-core Bulldozer a lot faster than i7 ?

stulid · 22 May 2011 at 11:02

We don't know till reviews come out, theres almost zero info out there.