i5-2400 or i5-2500k? $30 difference.

[htwingnut]

I am doing a sandy bridge budget build (somewhat) with eVGA GTX 460, 8GB DDR3 1333. I can get the i5-2400 for $150 and i5-2500k for $180. The differences I see are:

HD 2000 vs HD 3000 graphics
3.1-3.4GHz vs 3.3-3.7GHz
VT-d & Trusted Execution Technology vs None

I plan on gaming and a little bit of video encoding. Is there really any significant benefit of going with the 2500k over the 2400 for $30? It's going into a Shuttle SFF PC with H67 motherboard, so don't plan on overclocking much if at all (if it even allows it?).

Thanks.

 

[dma0991]

If you're going with a H67 board it is best to stick with the Core i5 2400. Even with the Core i5 2500K which is overclockable, you cannot overclock it without a P67 board. You have a discrete GPU in the list so the IGP is pretty much useless. The Core i5 2400 + H67 board is the best choice.

 

[RobertPters77]

Wait for BD.

 

[richierich1212]

I'd say it's worth the extra even if you won't be overclocking. If you want to resell in a year or two it'll sell much easier. Or if you plan on changing mobos you could overclock.

 

[Skott]

I agree with dma on this one. In the OP's case I'd say the i5 2400. He's not going to overclock and is using a H67 mobo so the $30 is wasted. Its not even worth it to spend $30 now so he can sell it at a good price down the road because 1) we don't know what the value will be or 2)how long he'll keep it. Just my opinion.

 

[TemjinGold]

Wait for BD.

Don't wait for BD.

 

[Genx87]

Wait for BD.

People have been doing this for months. Waiting gets old. If they are going to wait for BD, may as well wait a few more months for IB.

 

[htwingnut]

Thanks guys. In my case, I'm getting a small form factor Shuttle case, and as of late they aren't the fastest at releasing updated models. I've used Shuttle for years, and the form factor is perfect for me. I don't think I can go wrong with i5-2400 for $150. I think I'll be more likely to update the CPU in a year or so than the motherboard.

 

[ensign_lee]

What motherboard will you be using?

In a vacuum, I'd say that the 2500k is worth $30 more, but you have to keep in mind that P67's cost more than their H67 or H61 counterparts as well, so the full price of getting a 2500k that you can actually use to its potential will be more than $30.

 

[RobDickinson]

Theres no point in a K unless your using the HD 3000 or overclocking. Save some money

 

[Lordhumungus]

Theres no point in a K unless your using the HD 3000 or overclocking. Save some money

Couldn't agree more. I was in a similar situation with the HTPC rig in my sig and chose the 2400 (although admittedly I only paid $135 as it was an open box special).

If you aren't going to be overclocking, I can't really see a reason to get the K series. Even the IGP being better falls into a weird spot where the the non-K series is good enough for all HTPC content and the K series would more or less suck for reasonable gaming anyway.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I am doing a sandy bridge budget build (somewhat) with eVGA GTX 460, 8GB DDR3 1333. I can get the i5-2400 for $150 and i5-2500k for $180. The differences I see are:

HD 2000 vs HD 3000 graphics
3.1-3.4GHz vs 3.3-3.7GHz
VT-d & AES vs None

I plan on gaming and a little bit of video encoding. Is there really any significant benefit of going with the 2500k over the 2400 for $30? It's going into a Shuttle SFF PC with H67 motherboard, so don't plan on overclocking much if at all (if it even allows it?).

Thanks.

That actually bothers me a bit. Are you sure that the AES instructions were left out of the 2500K? I know that the VT-d and TXT (?) were left out.

 

[htwingnut]

That actually bothers me a bit. Are you sure that the AES instructions were left out of the 2500K? I know that the VT-d and TXT (?) were left out.

Sorry, you are correct, TXT not AES.

http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=52210,52207,

 

[htwingnut]

Well just bought the i5-2400 today. Rest of components ordered online and should show up on Monday!