i5-760 vs i7-875K

Help convince me one way or the other? I already have the motherboard and most of the rest of the parts. Just need help choosing the CPU. Initially, I was set on getting the unlocked i7-875K. Right now, though, I'm kinda wavering. The build will mostly be used just for SC2. Given the intended usage, is the i7-875K worth the additional expense?

 

Not incredibly likely that you'd NEED the extra that the i7 would give you, but how often does "need" come into play when putting together a new rig?

A shame that the i5 isn't unlocked, would you be putting the ~$110 in your pocket, or investing it somewhere else in the computer?

 

You're among the most knowledgable about computers on this site and you ask us?

My computer was build for SC2 but who knows if I'll still be playing it a year from now. That's why I went with the i7 over the i5... the extra clock and hyperthreading when more and more programmes are coded for multiple cores will come in handy. At least that's what I think. The dilemma here is pretty similar, although I don't know whether there's a difference in clock speed here.

 

The $120 difference (based on Amazon pricing) will be allocated towards a future Sandy Bridge build maybe 6 months down the line. Frankly, I'm trying to think of an application where the extra threads are of benefit but aside from 3D rendering and encoding, I'm coming up empty.

There's a 133MHz difference in clock speed which is negligible, but the unlocked multi was somewhat tempting. However, I won't be doing any extreme overclocks owing to limited cooling due to the size of the case (Mini-ITX), not to mention overclocking via BCLK leads to an overall faster system compared to a simple multiplier overclock. Darnit, if only I had a MicroCenter nearby, I wouldn't have this dilemma. A Core i7-860 for $200 is pretty much a no-brainer.

As Boogie mentioned though, the i7 is probably more "want" than "need". I'm just looking for reasons to justify the purchase to myself.

 

If you are looking for justification on the i7, read this line

- omg, buy it, it's faster! FASTER!

If you are looking for more reasoned advice based on the fact you are upgrading in 6 months

- I'll bet that $110 would buy something nice for your next upgrade

 

If its mainly for sc2, jus go the lower budgetted build, for me as well im strapped for cash but squeezed my pockets for my recent upgrades but it runs more than enough for me and mines is an already outdated rig compared to what others are using and spending.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll save the extra $120 for Sandy Bridge and just go with the i5-760 for now. Current processors are easy enough to overclock via BCLK. If rumors I'm hearing regarding Sandy Bridge are correct, getting the K versions would be necessary for overclocking.

 

How much difference is there between the i5 760 and 750? It's only like a 20 dollar price difference... I'm asking because I'm going to be buying parts very soon for a new computer build and not sure if I should go with the i5 750 or 760 or an i7?
Also can you tell me how to actually OC the processor/ what to change etc...

 

Not much. I'd say around 5% at stock. The higher multiplier might be helpful during overclocking, though. Overclocking steps vary based on motherboard/BIOS. Whatever steps or labels the BIOS uses, it's essentially tweaking the bus/base clock unless you have a processor with an unlocked multiplier (black edition, extreme edition, etc). Figure out your budget first and then we'll help you select the parts.

 

well my budget i would say up to like 850 or so? Idk It really just depends on the parts... I want to get the best value for the price... anything that will really boost the performance of the system I'm willing to spend extra for. Right now I'm thinking..
i5 750/760 / i7 930... can't decide! between $200-$290
gtx 460 (thinking about getting the mci cyclone?) $235
4gb ddr3 memory about $100?
Which motherboard should I go with? And price is probably about $140?
I have a Hard drive and monitor
Dvd drive $25?

So we are up to about $700 w/ i5 or $790 w/ i7
Still need a case and anything to OC (heatsink?)
Suggestions? Anywhere to save money? If i7 is not out of price range is it even worth the extra cost if i'm going to OC i5 anyways? PLus considering it'll be out of date in 6 months anyways?
Go with the 460 (which version?) and i5 or get the i5 and spend the extra money from the i7 on a better graphics card?
So many options ha... sorry for all the questions

 

Do you already have a Windows license or is the cost of the operating system part of the $850 budget?

 

I do not have one, but I wasnt including it in the budget i can use the 850 for the parts and still get Windows.

 

so what would be my best options? I want it to be great for sSC2, but also future games and things as well

 

Played around Newegg and came up with the following:
Cooler Master CM690 II, $69.99
SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze, $59.99
ASUS P7P55 LX, $114.99
Intel Core i5-750, $194.99
MSI Cyclone GTX 460 1GB, $234.99
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB DDR3 1600, $94.99
CORSAIR H50 Cooler, $79.99
TOTAL: $849.93

Hmm, forgot to add an optical drive to the build but even a $20 one should suffice. I think there are some combo deals for the motherboard/CPU/RAM which should cover the cost of the burner. Just select the ones that give you the biggest discount.

The MSI Cyclone GTX 460 was chosen since it allows you to tweak voltages which makes for a higher overclock (~900MHz instead of the more common ~800MHz)

LGA-1366 would realistically add an extra $150-200 to your budget, even without bumping the RAM to 6GB. A decent motherboard would set you back around $180-200 and the CPU, an extra $80-100 compared to an i5 quad.

 

thanks a lot! what is the LGA-1366? I'ma little confused are you saying I'd have to get a different motherbaord for the i7 that'll cost 150-200 more? Also is there no need for the i5 760 over the 750?

 

LGA-1366 is the socket used by Bloomfield and Gulftown (e.g. i7-920, i7-930, i7-980X). It's a bigger socket than what Lynnfield (i5-7xx, i7-8xx) and Clarkdale (i3-5xx, i5-6xx) use. Since LGA-1366 is considered Intel's "premium" socket, it also carries a premium price. You can get a decent LGA-1156 board for around $100-150 while a similar board on the LGA-1366 socket will probably cost $200 and up. Add in the extra cost of the CPU and you're looking at a total difference of $150-200.

i5-760 vs i5-750, there's really not that much of a difference. You're looking at just around 5% performance difference. Whether it's worth $15 is entirely up to you. Right now, Intel's just phasing out the i5-750. The i5-760 is basically its replacement with a bumped up price point.

 

well I think I might go with the i7 930.. what is a good motherboard for it? Also there are some I've found are for the i7, but say dual channel and some say triple channel. triple is what you want right if you do 6gb ram (3x2gb)? still confused on that part. Also what supports usb 3.0? and what's the best hard drives you can get now besides the solid state ones?

 

The GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R ($210) is what I'd recommend assuming you also want USB 3.0. Hard drive, the Samsung F3's are supposed to be pretty fast.

Bloomfield can run on both dual-channel and triple-channel modes. If your budget can handle it, then definitely go with 3 x 2GB RAM. Needless to say, $850 isn't quite enough if you go with these upgrades:


increase:
motherboard: +85
processor: +95
triple channel: +50

 

Thank you! And yeah I know I'm gonna have to upgrade my budget for this haha... my other question is for a power supply if I have the i7930, gtx460, 6gb memory, plus everything else and plan on OC what size power supply do I need? 750w?

 

Frankly, a good quality 500W PSU is enough even with massive overclocks. To be safe, i'd recommend going with at least 600W. Since the SeaSonic I recommended earlier has already gone up in price, I suggest the Corsair TX650 ($90) instead. The Antec Neo Eco 620C ($70) is another option. It's basically a SeaSonic S12II 620W under a different name. Alas, bring your own power cord.

Of course, 700+W will give you more breathing room.