SB i5 vs i3: Non Overclock content consumption usage

A

aviat72

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Messages
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I was wondering how the SB i3 compares with the i5 in regular day to day home usage. It will primarily be used for web-browzing, collecting photos, videos etc. Mainly for content consumption, with some media editing.

The i3 is dual core but it has hyper-threading. So when you are not CPU constrained, the end user experience should be similar to that of a 4-core (but no HT) i5.

There are times when your application can make use of all the cores but it is typically rare in this usage.

The i5s are in tight supply right now and prices have shot up. MC has the basic i3 2100 for $100; they are all out of the i5s (both K and non K versions). I am thinking of going with a SB i3 to start with and if needed replace it with an IvyBridge i5 once they come out in 6 months. But the i3 has to be good enough!

This PC is going to be a W7/OSX 10.7.2 Lion dual booth machine with an SSD and two drives. May or may not use the on-board graphics (need HD3000 for the CustoMac).

Thoughts?
 
You have a microcenter nearby? Then just wait for the i5 2500k to come back in stock with the motherboard discount. As I recall, the i3 does not get the motherboard discount, which puts the price of both extremely close, but the i5 is much superior.
 
I ran a 2105 for a few months. Great little cpu, just needed (Ok, wanted) more power for Skyrim. ;)
 
Ruoh said:
I ran a 2105 for a few months. Great little cpu, just needed (Ok, wanted) more power for Skyrim. ;)
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Funny how it always comes down to "Im only getting 50fps if i had a 2500k i could be getting 60+ honey imma order this cough cough" lol
 
Aus10 said:
Funny how it always comes down to "Im only getting 50fps if i had a 2500k i could be getting 60+ honey imma order this cough cough" lol
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*Shifty eyes*

I have no idea what you are talking about! ;)
 
I tend to co-shop Tiffanys the same day I spend a few hundred on computer hardware. Balance in all things! Pricey, but keeps her from getting too cranky at me. ;)
 
i3 will be just fine. Grab a 2100 with a Z68 MoBo combo over at Newegg for around $200-$250 shipped.

When it's time to upgrade to a quad core, drop an Ivy Bridge in. :D
 
Hmm i just ordered my i5-2500k at my local MC for pickup tomorrow, it took them a few days to get some back in stock after the black friday rush.
 
OK. Just picked up the i5 at MC. Had called multiple times so they had it reserved for me :)
 
Good stuff. Can't go wrong with the CPU.
 
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