Which I5 haswel/haswell refresh

[you2]

I think I'm going to pick up an asrock extreme6 z97 to replace my z68 (sandybridge). I do not intend to overclock this system. So the question is does the processor really matter ?

I.e, between 4670K/4690/4690K should I just pick the one that is the cheapest @ microcenter (which is near me ) or do they actually exhibit some real advantage between the models?

I will be running linux and using the HDxxx gpu of the processor. Since this machine runs 24x7 lower heat/power is always a +.
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The only thing I do cpu intensive is an occasional transcode but I have no issue letting it run over-night.

 

[ShintaiDK]

If you dont OC, there is no need for a Z board either.

You can save further money by going the non K model.
Remember to check here, since the CPUs got a few different features that you may or may not need.
http://ark.intel.com/compare/75048,80810,80811

Pick the board you want due to features. A 80$ board will perform the exact same as the 170$ board.

 

[you2]

I need a Z board because I require 10 sata ports and display port. Also the Z board is only $140 so more than $80 but cheaper than $80 plus sata cards.
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I know i don't need K processor if not overclocking but at microcenter the K processor are oddly less expensive in most cases so it was more of a question of subtle feature change but that comparison might answer the question so let me look:
It looks like the 4690 and 4690K have a few featurs beyond the 4570 (not sure if linux kernel will use them for virtualization). Bit surprise the 4690 is haswell and the 4690K is devil canyon.

 

[ShintaiDK]

There is only 6 native SATA ports on Z chipset.

 

[Techhog]

There is only 6 native SATA ports on Z chipset.

Yeah, this. You're gonna need a SATA expansion card w\either way, so making sure your board has a spare PCIe slot is more important. Also, I'm not sure if you even realy need an i5 in the first place. I mean, if you can let your transcodes run overnight and you want low power consumption, you should just get an i3.

 

[coolpurplefan]

I vote for the i5-4690.

If you really want an i3 then the i3-4360.

 

[crashtech]

The i3-4330 is the entry point for the HD4600 iGPU, so in the absence of other info regarding usage, that is what I would choose.

If you want a low-power quad, the 4590S might be a good choice. It, too, offers HD4600.

 

[Techhog]

The i3-4330 is the entry point for the HD4600 iGPU, so in the absence of other info regarding usage, that is what I would choose.

If you want a low-power quad, the 4590S might be a good choice. It, too, offers HD4600.

Hm... Actually, I second this.

 

[you2]

Well I only need 7 fast sata ports the 10 on the z97 board should be ok? I use this computer for everything but gaming (video, tv, web-browsing, ...) so maybe an i3 is fast enough but there is quite gap between the i3 and i5 (cores, and stuff). The 4590s might be interesting but if it is more expensive should i just go with the 4690K ? Hard to tell actual power difference; intel list max but not typical power consumption.

 

[SilentRunning]

If you are purchasing from Microcenter remember there is a $40 bundle discount with motherboard on the i5-4670k @ $189.99, i5-4690k @ 199.99 and i3-4360 @ $139.99.

 

[you2]

Yep Microcenter so those are my 3 choices. BTW why do folks insist the 4 non native data ports won't work well with optical/boot disk?