Help with CPU please

[wintermint]

Guy's now I'm deciding between the i7 860 ($200) and i5 750 ($180). Is hyperthreading worth the extra $20? Anyone know which CPU is the better deal? Can somebody also recommend me a good budget p55 motherboard (hopefully under $200). Thanks guys !

 

[Ben90]

Personally I would get the 920 as since you are overclocking they are basically going to be the exact same processor.

Here is a comparison of the cheapest Gigabyte mobos I would consider.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Motherboard/Products_ComparisonSheet.aspx?ProductID=3317,3277

Basically for an extra 30 dollars you get two more RAM slots, two SATA III ports, and two USB 3.0 ports. Basically a little bit of expandability in the future. So decide if its worth it for you. Note that neither of these boards have dual x16 pci-e 2.0 slots, but it shouldn't be an issue if your not going multi-GPU.

If the total for the entire build is $600 your going to have to pull a lot of strings, but may be possible depending on how many parts you are reusing.

 

[Anubis]

Personally I would get the 920 as since you are overclocking they are basically going to be the exact same processor.

Here is a comparison of the cheapest Gigabyte mobos I would consider.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Motherboard/Products_ComparisonSheet.aspx?ProductID=3317,3277

Basically for an extra 30 dollars you get two more RAM slots, two SATA III ports, and two USB 3.0 ports. Basically a little bit of expandability in the future. So decide if its worth it for you. Note that neither of these boards have dual x16 pci-e 2.0 slots, but it shouldn't be an issue if your not going multi-GPU.

If the total for the entire build is $600 your going to have to pull a lot of strings, but may be possible depending on how many parts you are reusing.

600$ is dooable but only if you dont need a video card, I just did it, i have the GA-X58A-UD3R, 920, 6 gigs of ram,.... that alone will run you really close to 600$,

Its running 20*200 rock solid at 1.31 volts, TBH it prob has more room but this is fine for me

 

[wintermint]

Guys how do I tell if its LGA 1156 or 1366? Does it say on the box?

 

[Markfw]

Guys how do I tell if its LGA 1156 or 1366? Does it say on the box?

920's and 930's are both 1366.

 

[wintermint]

Ah thanks mod. Last question LGA 1366 needs x58 motherboard? or can i go with a 55 one?

 

[Makaveli]

if you are going for the 920 or 930 you need the X58 chipset!

 

[wintermint]

Yeah I did my own research and found that... x58 is SO EXPENSIVE... I don't think it's going to fit into my budget. Guys should I switch to a core i5-750 for $180 instead of core i7-920 because I can't afford to spend a lot of money.

 

[Munky]

If money matters, go for the i5 750 and a p55 board. For most everyday tasks like gaming, mp3 encoding or file compression, you won't be able to tell the difference between that and an i7 920. If you really want hyperthreading, get a i7 860 and a p55 board.

 

[wintermint]

Is hyperthreading worth it? The 860 is $20 more than the 750 at micro center.

 

[Munky]

It gives a noticeable boost in some cases, like x264 video encoding. In most consumer apps and games thought it doesn't make a difference.

 

[wintermint]

hmm my family will only be using it to watch movies, word docs, internet, light gaming... so I guess I should just go with the 750 and spend that $20 on better ram/motherboard?

 

[Munky]

A bigger hard drive, more ram, or better video card.

 

[richierich1212]

If your family is only using it for those things you should look at AMD's lineup. MC has some killer combo deals right now.

 

[wintermint]

Well I'm thinking about getting the Athlon II x3 440 but I kind of want a i5/i7

 

[LoneNinja]

Those tasks you list, minus the light gaming, my Athlon X4 handles lag free at 1.0Ghz. If money is an issue, I would suggest getting an I3, or looking at some of AMD's line up. Since you mention MC, they have $50 off any compatible motherboard when you purchase select AMD processors right now. You could easily grab a good motherboard and Athlon X4 for under $150.

 

[Rhoxed]

Those tasks you list, minus the light gaming, my Athlon X4 handles lag free at 1.0Ghz. If money is an issue, I would suggest getting an I3, or looking at some of AMD's line up. Since you mention MC, they have $50 off any compatible motherboard when you purchase select AMD processors right now. You could easily grab a good motherboard and Athlon X4 for under $150.

This, for what you mention using it for you could easily get an athlon II x4 for 100$ and a 50$ mobo

 

[richierich1212]

Yes and then you can use the money saved towards a nice monitor or sound system or something.

 

[wintermint]

guys where you find those deals? I'm having trouble going through MC website.. -total noob-

 

[richierich1212]

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/..._amdbundle0323