i3-3220 or i7-3770k

[Solid_Sal]

Just need some help looking for a new CPU ... Im coming from a Phenom II X4 965. Unfortunately right now AMD doesnt have anything that appeals to me. Im drawn to Intel right now for their overall CPU core performance and low power draw. Lowest TDP even on the upcoming Piledriver CPUs is 95W (compared to Intel's 55W on their dual-cores). I already have a decent GPU so that is not a concern (Asus 7870).

I do some light gaming (Diablo 3, Torchlight 2, no FPS games though), video/music encoding (Blu Ray ripping), and light photo editing. I was able to get a great deal on the i7-3770k ($280) but have not opened it since Im considering buying a i3-3220 and selling the i7-3770k for a small profit. However, my concern with the i3 is that it will not be able to keep up down the road. Im looking to not have to upgrade my CPU for another 3-4 years (which is why I still have the Phenom). Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ShintaiDK]

i5 3570K@190$ at MC if you want to make a profit still.

 

[Solid_Sal]

i5 3570K@190$ at MC if you want to make a profit still.

Unfortunately I dont live near a MC. Although I am jealous of all the MC deals that pop up .... dang it!!!

 

[Pneumothorax]

Just need some help looking for a new CPU ... Im coming from a Phenom II X4 965. Unfortunately right now AMD doesnt have anything that appeals to me. Im drawn to Intel right now for their overall CPU core performance and low power draw. Lowest TDP even on the upcoming Piledriver CPUs is 95W (compared to Intel's 55W on their dual-cores). I already have a decent GPU so that is not a concern (Asus 7870).

I do some light gaming (Diablo 3, Torchlight 2, no FPS games though), video/music encoding (Blu Ray ripping), and light photo editing. I was able to get a great deal on the i7-3770k ($280) but have not opened it since Im considering buying a i3-3220 and selling the i7-3770k for a small profit. However, my concern with the i3 is that it will not be able to keep up down the road. Im looking to not have to upgrade my CPU for another 3-4 years (which is why I still have the Phenom). Any advice would be appreciated.

The bolded above is why you should stick with your 3770K, the i3 is half the speed of the i7 in video encoding. You already got your 3770K for the same price that others are paying for their i5's, so you should definitely keep it.

 

[Solid_Sal]

The bolded above is why you should stick with your 3770K, the i3 is half the speed of the i7 in video encoding. You already got your 3770K for the same price that others are paying for their i5's, so you should definitely keep it.

Yeah I was leaning more towards the i7. I do alot of my encoding at night while Im asleep or while Im gaming. My Phenom gets ridiculously hot and speeds up the fan on the cooler which makes my rig sound like a jet about to take off .... even the wife has made a comment or two about it being too loud.