Help me pick my CPU! I5-2500k or I7-2600?

[Lyfer]

My brother will be picking up the CPU's from a local microcenter, we will be building two rigs.

So far we had this planned:

I5-2500k with Corsair A50 cooler
Asrock Z68 Extreme Gen3
Radeon HD 6950 HD 2gb (sapphaire)
Gskill 8gb DDR3 1600 (grandfathering from a prior build)
Corsair TX750W (grandfathering from a prior build)

I was planning on the 2500k and overclocking it to 4-4.5ghz (depending how far it will go without any voltage adjustments). However I noticed that I can get the stock I7 2600 for only $250 and save a ton of if went with a basic ASUS P8H61-M motherboard (instead of the Asrock if I'm not going to overlock as well as the stock HSF).

Which would fit the bill better for gaming? (BF3/Diablo 3/Starcraft @ ultra with 4xaa 1080p)

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 or Antech 300? Which has better air flow?

And lastly, would the stock HSF fit the bill for overclocking?

Thanks bunches!

 

[blckgrffn]

I know this doesn't answer your question directly - but a year or so from now I doubt you'll say to yourself that you wish you had saved that $50. Especially with BF3, where it seems like some are noticing smoother game play on 64 player maps do to the extra threads that the i7 is sporting.

ALSO, remember the 2600k nets you a $50 motherboard discount that the 2500k no longer gets.

Just get the 2600k if you are shopping at MC. I wouldn't go too cheap on the motherboard, but if you can save some there and spend more on your video card now, that's likely to net you a more measurable performance increase today.

I find that the stock HSF makes an annoying noise under load and gets pretty toasty, so I would think that OC'ing would require an investment in cooling. The CM Hyper 212+ is only $20 AMIR at MC, I don't think you can do much better than that. Remember you need P67/Z68 if you are going to OC.

My free advice

 

[Joseph F]

If you're going to OC, and the system is primarily for gaming, get the 2500k and you won't regret it.
As for the case, I cannot answer your question. Perhaps someone over in the C&C subforum can give you an answer.

@blkgrffn: He said that he was considering a 2600 non-k, so that's a no-go if he wants to OC.

 

[blckgrffn]

If you're going to OC, and the system is primarily for gaming, get the 2500k and you won't regret it.
As for the case, I cannot answer your question. Perhaps someone over in the C&C subforum can give you an answer.

@blkgrffn: He said that he could get a 2600 non-k, so that's a no-go if he wants to OC.

Ah, well the non-k would be silly since the K is only $30 more but gets you a $50 discount on any motherboard.

But good catch, I had missed that.

 

[dma0991]

Just get the 2600k if you are shopping at MC. My free advice

I think OP is comparing the non K version versus a Core i5 2500K.

@OP
IMHO an overclocked Core i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz is a better choice than a stock Core i7 2600. The ASRock board is good with GEN3 support in case there exists a bottleneck with newer GPUs. HAF 912 should have better airflow. I do not recommend overclocking without an aftermarket cooler, get a cheap CM Hyper212 EVO.

 

[blckgrffn]

I think OP is comparing the non K version versus a Core i5 2500K.

@OP
IMHO an overclocked Core i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz is a better choice than a stock Core i7 2600. The ASRock board is good with GEN3 support in case there exists a bottleneck with newer GPUs. HAF 912 should have better airflow. I do not recommend overclocking without an aftermarket cooler, get a cheap CM Hyper212 EVO.

lol, see my reply to Joseph. The K version is essentially $20 cheaper than the non-K when purchased w/mobo.

It's important to plan your trips to MC for optimal purchasing It's one of the few places where the deals trump the traditional planning when it comes to building a PC.

Now that MC has dropped the 2500k deal, the 2600k looks even more attractive.

There is *no* reason to get the 2600 @ MC, but, again, point taken

 

[Lyfer]

Thanks so much for the great input! I'm settled on the 2600k now with the corsair A50 HSF.

My goal in terms of OC'ing is 4.2ghz or higher with no cpu voltage adjustments. Would it be safe to say that I can just swap the multi to 42 and be done? LOL. I'm a complete nub to overclocking, are there any settings I need to set specifically with the Asrock Z68 to better my chances?

4.5ghz would be ideal !

 

[blckgrffn]

FWIW, you can get a nifty bundle on the 2500k with this motherboard if you purchase online and select in-store pickup:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775

Honestly, I'd still go for the 2600k, it will keep you from considering a CPU upgrade for some time to come, I believe. With the 2500k you might get the itch because of the Thread count. Again, my $.02.

 

[grkM3]

why not wait a month for ivys to start hitting the streets?

you wait this long and 22nm is right around the corner,I would get you board and ram and wait on the cpu.

 

[Lyfer]

why not wait a month for ivys to start hitting the streets?

you wait this long and 22nm is right around the corner,I would get you board and ram and wait on the cpu.

I thought the only major enhancement was just the GPU? And I've waited for so long and my brother only drives to visit once in a blue moon so I'm making the most of his trip .

 

[Joseph F]

I thought the only major enhancement was just the GPU? And I've waited for so long and my brother only drives to visit once in a blue moon so I'm making the most of his trip .

It also has much lower latency L3 cache, so it's supposed to be up to 10% faster in multithreaded applications, from what I heard.
Also, it will probably OC like a beast at very low voltages.
If I was in the market for a whole new PC, and not just an upgrade, I'd wait.

 

[blckgrffn]

I think they have also been pushed back to June? Isn't there a link to an article to that effect in this very forum?

And who knows how long until IVB has deals like this?

A year from now a 2600k will still be good enough to rock out anything you throw at it...

 

[tweakboy]

If hes going to OC the 2500k will have unlocked multi , "the K stands for locked or K for unlocked....

If your not going to OC get the 2600 and call it a day!,

 

[tweakboy]

I think they have also been pushed back to June? Isn't there a link to an article to that effect in this very forum?

And who knows how long until IVB has deals like this?

It's not like a year from now a 2600k won't be good enough to rock out anything you throw at it...

What are you going to throw at it ? Only video editin rendering premiere, it will use 8 threads. Games will barely use 2 cores,,,, So why should I upgarde ? I love setup just need to add a 320GB SSD...

I get avg 60 to 75 percent CPU usage in Sonar X1 , on a big project! , So if I get a Sandy what will happen ? That 70 percent will turn into 30 percent !!!!!!!!! get it ?

 

[blckgrffn]

What are you going to throw at it ? Only video editin rendering premiere, it will use 8 threads. Games will barely use 2 cores,,,, So why should I upgarde ? I love setup just need to add a 320GB SSD...

I get avg 60 to 75 percent CPU usage in Sonar X1 , on a big project! , So if I get a Sandy what will happen ? That 70 percent will turn into 30 percent !!!!!!!!! get it ?

Got it, let it roll.

Haha, you have to have the most apt screen name of anyone on this forum. Have to.