Tough choice: i3-530 or i5-750?

[Bobsy]

Hi,

I have completed my first built (for my parents) this winter. Now I am thinking about making myself a computer. With my winter experience I can select the components myself, however I am just unsure about the CPU. I need some advice.

Purpose: run Windows 7, internet browsing, light office stuff... BUT I would like to run Starcraft II in 1920x1200 (with at least medium details) when it comes out. So I need a computer that's capable of some gaming.

Option #1: i3-530 and I pop in a 5770 when I start gaming.
Option #2: i5-750 + 5770 right away.

The 100$ question: is option #1 sufficient and will I be throwing out my money with option #2, or do I absolutely need the i5?

Thanks!

 

[EarthBoy]

Option 1 will be sufficient for Starcraft II at medium settings. I do believe starcraft II is mostly GPU dependent so I don't think i5-750 will make much difference. But if you've got the money, just get i5-750.

 

[CurseTheSky]

If you will consider playing other future games as well, I would suggest the i5 750. Having four cores will be better for future applications, especially as games become more heavily threaded.

Otherwise, the i3 530 will be plenty sufficient for internet browsing and light office work. It should handle Starcraft II fine as well.

 

[8steve8]

I have the i3, and it's plenty fast for starcraft 2 at that res, save the $100 and use it towards your next computer (with sandy bridge).

As someone else mentioned, at that resolution you will need a decent video card, like a 5770.



-stephen