i7 adds 100...worth it?

Here's a long thread on the topic - http://www.tomshardw...246-28-2500k-2600

Most there say get the i5 and use the rest for a better graphics card if it makes sense. If it takes $200 more to get 10% better frame rates, then it might not be worth spending more on the card. But, if the point is to get the kicking-est machine for $1000, then, well, maybe leaving out everything except the fastest essentials makes sense ($500 graphics card, 1-2 GB RAM, fast CPU, no optical drive, no wireless, no sound card, etc.), and add the rest later. I dunno.

The CPU is one of those rarely swapped things (that happens after hard drives, more RAM, etc.). IME, by the time you're thinking about a new CPU, motherboards have moved on so you end up replacing a lot more than the chip. So my general philosophy has always been to get the best CPU for my price-point (which used to be $200, but I haven't bought a new PC in a while). And I'm not a gamer. :-)

Presumably if frame rates and latency and all the rest matter most, you can turn down the graphics effects and so forth to prolong the system life for another few months.

Bottom line: You're probably set as you outlined the system above.

HTH.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #350,698 by beepster 11/15/11 1:32:16 PM Reply	i7 adds 100...worth it? Looing for impact on game performance... Sure, understanding today's complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head. But...there they are.
Post #350,707 by Another Scott 11/15/11 2:19:25 PM Reply	Dunno. Here's a long thread on the topic - http://www.tomshardw...246-28-2500k-2600 Most there say get the i5 and use the rest for a better graphics card if it makes sense. If it takes $200 more to get 10% better frame rates, then it might not be worth spending more on the card. But, if the point is to get the kicking-est machine for $1000, then, well, maybe leaving out everything except the fastest essentials makes sense ($500 graphics card, 1-2 GB RAM, fast CPU, no optical drive, no wireless, no sound card, etc.), and add the rest later. I dunno. The CPU is one of those rarely swapped things (that happens after hard drives, more RAM, etc.). IME, by the time you're thinking about a new CPU, motherboards have moved on so you end up replacing a lot more than the chip. So my general philosophy has always been to get the best CPU for my price-point (which used to be $200, but I haven't bought a new PC in a while). And I'm not a gamer. :-) Presumably if frame rates and latency and all the rest matter most, you can turn down the graphics effects and so forth to prolong the system life for another few months. Bottom line: You're probably set as you outlined the system above. HTH. Cheers, Scott.
Post #350,711 by beepster 11/15/11 2:39:16 PM Reply	Looking like not worth it the hyperthreading won't impact game performance...and I think the vid card should get me through the next gen of games, given its current performance levels...so I think I'm settled. Sure, understanding today's complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head. But...there they are.

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