Is There Any Scenario Where the G3258 Make Sense Now?

[Leyawiin]

Hey everyone. My interest in PC game has pretty much dried up. Its down to basically WoW and LotRO and has been since last summer. Haven't bought a new game since Fallout 4. I have two pretty good PCs and am considering parting one of them out for some cash to do a few home improvement projects (along with a bunch of other hardware I'm not using). One is an i7- 4790k and the other is an i5-4690k. To get even more from my upcoming hardware sale I thought I might replace the CPU in the one I keep with a G3258 and OC it. Should net me about $90 with the i5 and about $160 with the i7. Given that for nine months I've played nothing but those two MMOs would it be foolish to replace either of those CPUs with a Pentium? I know it flounders pretty badly with new AAA games, but WoW and LotRO ain't that.

 

[whm1974]

Why in Hell would you replace a good i5 or i7 CPU with a G3258? That doesn't make any sense. You will be kicking yourself later if you did that.

Just keep using the your computers the way they are, and keep them longer.

 

[jana519]

Given that for nine months I've played nothing but those two MMOs would it be foolish to replace either of those CPUs with a Pentium?

In-game, you're perfectly fine with the G3258 for the two titles you mentioned. Where you'll suffer is multi-tasking and alt-tabbing into other programs. The G3258 is pretty halting if you're alt-tabbing to Chrome and other apps when gaming concurrently. I speak from experience.

But I got my G3258 for $35, so the price/performance ratio is spectacular. However if you really want to play the value game, the Sandy Bridge i5 is the gold standard. These things routinely sell for less $50 and they cream the G3258. Personally I recommend the SB i5, H61 mobo, and 1600 DDR3 setup.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

Where you'll suffer is multi-tasking and alt-tabbing into other programs. The G3258 is pretty halting if you're alt-tabbing to Chrome and other apps when gaming concurrently.

Yeah, it's not a multitasker, when I was browsing on the 3258 sometimes a tab of a poorly made website/ad ate up an entire core, causing a real slowdown. I've since upgraded to a 4670K (still on H81, but overclocks).

I'd just keep the i5 in, 3258 is a neat cpu to put in a H81 board and mess about with non z overclocking, but a mismatch with a nice Z board imo. Why bother with the hassle and risk breaking something?

 

[jana519]

Yeah, it's not a multitasker, when I was browsing on the 3258 sometimes a tab of a poorly made website/ad ate up an entire core, causing a real slowdown. I've since upgraded to a 4670K (still on H81, but overclocks).

I'd just keep the i5 in, 3258 is a neat cpu to put in a H81 board and mess about with non z overclocking, but a mismatch with a nice Z board imo. Why bother with the hassle and risk breaking something?

Yeah, certainly the Z motherboards are a mismatch. That's why I'd recommend the OP either go SB i5 with H61, or Haswell i3 with H81.

Really the only scenarios where I can recommend the G3258 are: a) the person is completely broke and just need something to tide them over, or b) old people/kids who don't use a computer much.

I mean it's possible to get a SB i5 or Haswell i3 for only $20 more so there's no reason not to.

 

[Kenmitch]

At least keep the i5. Selling the i5 and buying the G3258 will net you more pain than $'s in the end.

 

[Denithor]

MMOs tend to use CPU threads a lot more than most other games. Dropping down to a 2C/2T chip could be a severe downgrade, regardless of clock speed.

What you could consider, if you really have to downgrade, is buy an OEM i5 Sandy system from eBay, typically available around $100 or so if you hunt around a bit. You can install Windows 10 on these machines typically by just using the W7/8 CoA code.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Vostro...-DVD-Burner-/282385604188?hash=item41bf7e5e5c

Something like this, for example. Add an SSD and a GPU, install W10 and you're done.

 

[sm625]

The G3258 is the perfect CPU for a LoL box. When overclocked to 4.4GHz, it loads to 100% faster than 95% of my opponents. When playing normals, I almost never have problems calling my lane before anyone else. It can also handle LoL while having youtubes and stuff playing on the other monitor. It is only when you go to record a replay that the framerates on your recordings drop somewhat.

Are you going to post that 4790k on the for sale thread?

 

[Leyawiin]

Thanks for the replies guys - you're giving me a lot to think about. Yeah, if I choose to part out the i7 rig I'll be posting it here and in TechPowerUp's forums.

 

[whm1974]

Thanks for the replies guys - you're giving me a lot to think about. Yeah, if I choose to part out the i7 rig I'll be posting it here and in TechPowerUp's forums.

Don't do it, you will regret it later.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Termie's got a FS thread here with a Haswell i3-4170 for cheap. I'd snag that while it's still available, and THEN sell off your i5 Haswell or whatever they are.

 

[whm1974]

Termie's got a FS thread here with a Haswell i3-4170 for cheap. I'd snag that while it's still available, and THEN sell off your i5 Haswell or whatever they are.

No the OP will be better off keeping his current rigs and keeping them as long as he can.

 

[VirtualLarry]

No the OP will be better off keeping his current rigs and keeping them as long as he can.

Well, it sounded like he needed money. Sure, if you NEED the computational capability that he currently has, then it would make sense to just use the rigs until they are obsolete.
But if there is currently a large amount of inherent stored value in those parts, and he wants to maximize that value in exchange for cash, then it would at least make sense to buy Termie's i3, rather than a G3258, for gaming, before he sells off his better chips.

 

[Leyawiin]

Well, it sounded like he needed money. Sure, if you NEED the computational capability that he currently has, then it would make sense to just use the rigs until they are obsolete.
But if there is currently a large amount of inherent stored value in those parts, and he wants to maximize that value in exchange for cash, then it would at least make sense to buy Termie's i3, rather than a G3258, for gaming, before he sells off his better chips.

Yeah, owning a house isn't cheap. lol I have lots of maintenance projects to do this summer and every $$ I can scrap together will help. When push comes to shove somethings gotta give (and the PC hardware habit is it).

 

[Ranulf]

but WoW and LotRO ain't that.

Until they are that. WoW loves the cpu power. Sell the i7 or the i5 if you must. Personally, I'd keep the i7 or both and get the money elsewhere. That i7 will last you quite awhile. Trading in either for a Pentium is just a waste of time.

 

[Ranulf]

Well, it sounded like he needed money. Sure, if you NEED the computational capability that he currently has, then it would make sense to just use the rigs until they are obsolete.
But if there is currently a large amount of inherent stored value in those parts, and he wants to maximize that value in exchange for cash, then it would at least make sense to buy Termie's i3, rather than a G3258, for gaming, before he sells off his better chips.

No, just no. If he is that in need of cash for house projects, the pentium is the way to go, not some i3 or just sell them all off and go cold turkey. The stored value is nice and all but what is the replacement value if he jumps back into more gaming or WoW gets another upgrade like Legion? It is not like that i7 is dog food in just a year or so. 2-3 years minimum. All for just $160? Meh.