i5 or i7 For Gaming

[Supersonic64]

Would a Core i5-750 be enough for gaming today and for possibly the next two years? Assuming a healthy overclock of at least 3.6GHz if not higher.

I use my system primarily for gaming and have a limited budget of about ~$500 for a new MOBO, CPU and RAM.

More detailed thread here, where I discuss the topic more in-depth.

 

[Phynaz]

Simple answer - Yes.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

yes, but the price difference between the i7 860 and i5 750 isnt much. shop around

 

[ElFenix]

processors aren't as important as video cards at higher res, in my experience.

 

[manimal]

Get whatever is cheaper. The difference with the same card between my i5 and I 7 at the same clock speed in games is impossible to see unless one uses fraps. A few fps doesnt make a difference. Ram prices are whats gonna kill you anyway. If you encode and do more general pc work get something with HT. If your gonna turn it off anyway get the i5.

Now if you plan on SLI-Xfire then get the x58 i7. I know people will chime in and say there is little difference with the lanes on p55 but there is a difference and if your gonna spend that much anyway might as well the better one.

 

[Supersonic64]

I can go i7 920 w/ 6GB G.Skill PI DDR3 1600 and X58A-UD3R for $607 SHIPPED. Should I pull the trigger?

or

I can go i7 870 for a bit less.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Pull the trigger on the 920!

 

[Supersonic64]

OMG! The difference is only $100 between the i7 920 and i7 860! Some people say the 920 is better while others say the 860 is better.

So...difficult!!!

 

[Supersonic64]

*Deep Breath* I did it. i7 920, 6GB G.Skill PI and X58A-UD3R on their way.

Main reason is that apparently it's easier to overclock the i7 920's than the i5-750 and i7-860.

 

[Zap]

I don't think it is easier to OC as they are all very similar, but anyways, enjoy your purchase. I think in the long run you will not regret it.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

*Deep Breath* I did it. i7 920, 6GB G.Skill PI and X58A-UD3R on their way.

Main reason is that apparently it's easier to overclock the i7 920's than the i5-750 and i7-860.

At stock, my i7 920 was better than my Q9650 at 3.4GHz in gaming.

 

[konakona]

The difference with the same card between my i5 and I 7 at the same clock speed in games is impossible to see unless one uses fraps.

Just curious, is there any reason why i7 should be any better at all in games (HT off, obviously) provided all other factors are kept equal (clock speeds, video cards, etc)?

Not a rhetorical question, just asking. My impression of the i5 vs i7 (Lynnfield) difference was nothing more than the presence of HT on the latter. Could be wrong

 

[AlucardX]

integrated memory controller (QPI) comes to mind.. no more northbridge nonsense.

 

[faxon]

*Deep Breath* I did it. i7 920, 6GB G.Skill PI and X58A-UD3R on their way.

Main reason is that apparently it's easier to overclock the i7 920's than the i5-750 and i7-860.

thats a pretty reasonable deal there all in all. how much does that PI kit usually run? those are supposed to be G.Skill's competitor to Corsair Dominator right?

 

[CraigRT]

Any i5+ CPU, even not overclocked, is going to push solid FPS in games...

my 860 is not overclocked, and it does not need to be.