Core i3 530 or Core i5 750 ?

[clockjunkie]

Currently I have an AMD system that falls way short by today's computing standards. I want to go intel this time and I want to start off by choosing one of two CPUs I have in mind; Core i3 530 and Core i5 750, both of which would be a huge step up from my current system. I won't be working with video/editing or CPU intensive work (that I'm aware of) besides gaming (CoD MW2). However, paying an extra $75 on newegg for two more cores doesn't seem unreasonable to me right now. I should point out that I don't upgrade often, which makes me want to go with the i5 750. I've read reviews about the 530's gaming and overclocking capabilities on stock air cooling, which makes it more appealing. Which one makes more sense to buy?

System specs:
Windows 7 32-bit
AMD Athlon X2 5400+ Black Edition
GA-MA770-UD3
Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
200 GB SATA Rev 1.0 Western Digital HDD

 

[Jovec]

If the price difference allows you to go with the next step up in video card, then I'd say go with the 530. Otherwise get the 750.

The 530 will likely get a higher OC and do better in non-mutlicore games, but the 750 will still get very playable framerates and have longer legs.

 

[clockjunkie]

If the price difference allows you to go with the next step up in video card, then I'd say go with the 530. Otherwise get the 750.

I see. I want to go with the Radeon HD 5770 or opt for a Radeon HD 5830, 5850 or possibly a 5870 if the price is right. Thanks for all your help

 

[21stHermit]

Do you plan on using the i3's IGP? If not, then get a P55 MB and the i5 750.

I have an i3 530, on a H55 MB just so I could use the IGP. I don't plan to game. But it idles at 34W w/ a 380W 80+ PSU.

 

[clockjunkie]

Do you plan on using the i3's IGP? If not, then get a P55 MB and the i5 750.

I have an i3 530, on a H55 MB just so I could use the IGP. I don't plan to game. But it idles at 34W w/ a 380W 80+ PSU.

No, actually. I'll be eventually buying a new video card, so I'll probably have no use for the i3's integrated graphics, should I buy one.
I'm not really factoring in the idle power consumption for my selection between either the i3-530 or i5-750 because either choice will be a better solution than my Athlon 64 X2 5400+ in every aspect.

 

[dualsmp]

I went with a i3 530 because I didn't have a need for 4 cores. I'm only a casual gamer, and like you don't encode video or render anything. The i5 750 has very good idle power though for a 4 core processor so I don't think you could go wrong with either one -- more of a personal choice. You might check this thread as well which is interesting (kinda makes a case for dual core being plenty for games).

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2027049


I'm waiting on my ram, but hoping to have idle power near 21sHermit. Eventually I'll drop a discrete card in, but will probably go with something low powered, like 5750 or 4670. Even with a discreet card, it will idle probably ~45 watts which is still pretty low. And the cool thing about i3 530 is that it should push past 4Ghz fairly easily if necessary.

 

[Kenmitch]

I'd say if you plan on getting the same motherboard for either chip and you can live with the price diff go for the 750. The xtra cores may be of some use at a later date.

What video card do you have now? Didn't see it listed

 

[clockjunkie]

I'd say if you plan on getting the same motherboard for either chip and you can live with the price diff go for the 750. The xtra cores may be of some use at a later date.

What video card do you have now? Didn't see it listed

Hehe. Funny you should ask, but I do feel a little embarrassed to say that I currently have an ATI Radeon X800 Pro. It's an old card, way past its prime and I need a new one, now.

 

[dualsmp]

Check this comparison also: Dual core vs. i5 750. A real eye opener
http://alienbabeltech.com/main/?p=15920

 

[cbn]

The 530 will likely get a higher OC and do better in non-mutlicore games, but the 750 will still get very playable framerates and have longer legs.

According to Anandtech benches Core i5 750 has higher IPC in lower thread count games.

I was hoping Core i3 would do better in dual threaded games, but it appears the lower L3 cache and poor memory performance limit frequency scaling.

 

[jthunderloc]

Just fired up MW2 on my i3 540 OC'd to 4ghz (most, if not all i3s should hit 4ghz from what I've seen) and I'm using a factory OC'd 4890 (a little faster then a 5770) and the lowest frame I saw playing one of the Spec Ops missions on MW2 with all settings maxed at 1920x1080 was 93, highest was 115 or so. Anything over your monitor refresh rate is wasted.

-Wes

 

[MrK6]

Check this comparison also: Dual core vs. i5 750. A real eye opener
http://alienbabeltech.com/main/?p=15920

If you only play single player, non-CPU intensive, linear shooters, then yes, there isn't much difference. Throw in Arma 2, GTA IV, or an RTS and watch those numbers change.

OP, since you don't upgrade often, grab the i5 750. Applications, including games, are supporting quad core more and more, and that performance will eventually be used. You might not see a direct benefit yet, given the type of games you've described, but why sell yourself short of the future?

 

[clockjunkie]

If you only play single player, non-CPU intensive, linear shooters, then yes, there isn't much difference. Throw in Arma 2, GTA IV, or an RTS and watch those numbers change.

OP, since you don't upgrade often, grab the i5 750. Applications, including games, are supporting quad core more and more, and that performance will eventually be used. You might not see a direct benefit yet, given the type of games you've described, but why sell yourself short of the future?

Thanks for your input. I'm convinced now about going for the 750. Seems to make more sense now as games will probably take advantage of more cores. Now it's time to decide which mobo to go with.

 

[Kenmitch]

Hehe. Funny you should ask, but I do feel a little embarrassed to say that I currently have an ATI Radeon X800 Pro. It's an old card, way past its prime and I need a new one, now.

You got your money's worth out of it I'm sure

With your I don't upgrade often it seems like the i5 750 would be your best choice. The important thing to remember is don't sacrifice the quality of your other components to get the i5 tho. The MB and PSU are the 2 most important things as far as a system goes.

As far as which chip will overclock better it's a crap shoot on both of them. Luck of the draw is what it comes down too. The i3 does have the advantage with the sacrifice of 2 cores tho.

When I jumped ship to S1156 my goal was 4ghz plus and was told it was not realistic to shoot for. I can agree with the statement as it comes down to the chip you get not what is lazer etched on it or what it tells cpu-z it is.

My chip hums along nicely at 4.2ghz with a slightly out of spec cpu vtt of 1.26v which I can live with.

 

[clockjunkie]

You got your money's worth out of it I'm sure

With your I don't upgrade often it seems like the i5 750 would be your best choice. The important thing to remember is don't sacrifice the quality of your other components to get the i5 tho. The MB and PSU are the 2 most important things as far as a system goes.

As far as which chip will overclock better it's a crap shoot on both of them. Luck of the draw is what it comes down too. The i3 does have the advantage with the sacrifice of 2 cores tho.

When I jumped ship to S1156 my goal was 4ghz plus and was told it was not realistic to shoot for. I can agree with the statement as it comes down to the chip you get not what is lazer etched on it or what it tells cpu-z it is.

My chip hums along nicely at 4.2ghz with a slightly out of spec cpu vtt of 1.26v which I can live with.

Agreed. I'm sure the 750's TDP along with its four cores will limit the extent to which I will be able to overclock it. Perhaps with some great cooling I'll be able to crank out a little more juice out of it.