Desktop - i5-660 or Quad Core Q9400

[yogihit]

Hello There,
I am yogesh, i need your valuable opinion.

My basic use of desktop is editing graphics, media (Audio/Video) editing.
I am looking for a PC with Good speed (but not as like Black Edition/ Over clocking), handle multi tasking, intermediate gamer.

I am confused to choose between i5-660 or Quad Core Q9400. both cost difference 15$ as per Intel web site.

OR

Say to bye bye Intel and go for AMD Phenom II X4 925 /945

other configuration as follows

Motherboard - GigaByte -- Intel -GA-H57M-USB3(rev. 1.0) AMD - GA-MA785GMT-US2H (rev. 1.1)
DDR3 Ram - Transcend 4GB
Hard Disk Drives - WD/ Seagate -Barracuda 1 TB
Optical Drives - LG / Sony DVD Writer
Cabinets - CoolerMaster Elite 310 - (Please suggest)
SMPS - Please suggest
Graphic Cards - Sapphire / Nvidia 1 GB
Speakers - Creative Inspire 2.1 Spkrs T3030
TV Tuner Cards - Hauppauge (Internal Digital) (Please suggest)
Monitor / LCDNA


Please suggest me , i am waiting for reply.

Budget is INR 27-30k ($600-650)

Thanks & Regards
Yogesh

 

[DrMrLordX]

While it's not going to hurt you to buy one, I would not recommend any of the dual-core i5s, period. Is there some particular reason why you're stuck on those two CPUs?

You should be able to get an i5-750 (quad core) for the same price as the i5-660, if not less. The 750 is superior to either the Q9400 or the i5-660.

 

[yogihit]

Thank you for quick reply.. i thought about i5-660 only because of “Integrated Graphics” options. i am not aware what is the benefit of it.. i just compare & i feel 660 have more "Yes" options then others Same as I choose H57 chipset may be P55 is best ..
sorry I am not computer guy so don’t know which is best
so no need to go with AMD..Please suggest

Thanks
Yogesh

 

[DrMrLordX]

Integrated graphics are only useful if you do not plan on buying a video card. Since your original post indicated that you would be buying a graphics card, that renders integrated graphics irrelevant.

Otherwise, the i5-660 has no desirable features absent from the i5-750 (the 660 has hyperthreading, but that is a poor substitute for the two additional physical cores on the 750).

It's your money, but you should get an i5-750. You can put the 750 in any LGA1156 board regardless of chipset (to the best of my knowledge).

 

[StrangerGuy]

Anything between i3 530 and an i5 750 is a gigantic waste of money.

Stay away from LGA775 if you are building a new platform.

 

[Axon]

LordX is correct. The i5 750 will solve both of your problems. It is a quad core chip and it matches performance with virtually everything on the market, save for a few of the very high end, $500+ chips.

Now, the features of a particular chip are sometimes exclusive from its performance. Intel got a little ahead of itself with the i5/i3 integrated video CPUs. They're nice, but they're more for someone who's looking for a modern machine without having to go in extra for a gamer oriented (read: overpriced) GPU solution...say like my father, a 65 year old man who surfs, emails, and uses turbo tax. Moreover, the only chip I can fairly recommend from the H55 line is the i3 530 for it's price v. performance ration.

Anandtech's benchmark suite is currently down, but rest assured, the i5 750 is a superior chip for your needs in virtually every way - especially if you're willing to pay for an i5 660 or q9400. More cores is excellent for graphics and sound editing.

 

[beginner99]

what about an i7 860?

Isn't video stuff like encoding one of the thing were you actually benefit pretty big from HT?
Additonally you have a higher clock as well. But i5 750 is fine too.

 

[yogihit]

thank you so much..

sorry i am asking basic question, as i mentioned i will use for editing audio/ video (MP3, edit videos from copied program from TV, downloading songs, movies etc.)
about games I love to play ROADRASH J
Software’s I will use, AutoCAD, 3D MAX, Photoshop, Corel, some small movie editing software’s

For above purpose do you think I really need quad core or 2 core is enough.

Is quad core or 2 core matters on Internet speed? Or its totally on Internet service provider.

I mean if for all above, 2 cores is enough then with which should I go, i5-750 ($196) OR i3-530/540 ($113 /133)

Thanks and Regards
Yogesh

 

[Axon]

Hi Yogesh,

Take a look at the benchmarks and decide for yourself.

http://anandtech.com/bench/Product/109?vs=117 (i5 750 vs. i5 660). 750 smashes the higher clocked 660 in any bench that likes multiple cores, and in particular, in photoshop and encoding benchmarks. At the same price point, there's no reason to buy the 660.

http://anandtech.com/bench/Product/109?vs=118 (i5 750 vs. i3 530). The 750 soundly beats the i3 530, but since the 530 is priced at $80-$90 less, it makes sense if the performance it carries is acceptable to you.

For what you've mentioned you want to do, I think the i5 750 is the best choice. Beginner has a point in that you would benefit from the i7 860 additional virtual cores, but you'd also pay more for that chip - $280 or so, unless you live near a Microcenter in the United States.

 

[betasub]

For a budget build, with little or no gaming then i3 530 + H55 motherboard with integrated graphics should be fine.

For more power, both from quad core and add-in graphics card, i5 750 + P55 motherboard gives good gaming at a mid-range price.

If productivity is important and HT for 8 virtual cores could help, the more expensive i7 860 (+ P55 motherboard and add-in graphics card).

 

[ElFenix]

for a/v encoding more cores is going to win over practically any other feature.

 

[slightlyhuman]

love my 9400 @ 3.4
about to push it more.

 

[DrMrLordX]

for a/v encoding more cores is going to win over practically any other feature.

Agreed. I would think the 750 would be his best bet unless he needs HT (then he would want the i7-860).

 

[yogihit]

DrMrLordX, Axon
Thank you for detailed information.

StrangerGuy,
thanks for focus on range of processors and advice to keep away LGA 775 socket

beginner99, betasub
thank you for introduction i7-860

slightlyhuman,
first love J

thanks to anandtech forums, it’s really nice experience with this forum, quick and perfect reply

Regards
Yogesh

 

[OBLAMA2009]

the 530 is dirt cheap but too slow for a brand new main machine. get the 920 or 860 from microcenter, if they have them in india...

 

[Dark Shroud]

the 530 is dirt cheap but too slow for a brand new main machine. get the 920 or 860 from microcenter, if they have them in india...

920 is a different socket.

With the exception of the 750 the i5 series seems to be a waste. The i3 530 is a pretty good deal. Over clock the little sucker and slap on a COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 and you're good to go.