Best bang for my buck: i5 2500k vs 3330

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
P

plutonicmind9

Distinguished
Jun 7, 2009
27
0
18,530
I'm almost done rebuilding my PC. Its PSU was faulty and it damaged the MOBO/CPU about 2 years ago.

I got a new mobo (ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3) a year ago and finally saved up for the CPU/PSU.

I have Corsair CX600M in mind for the PSU.

But I've had a huge debate with myself over the past days about the CPU. Is it best I get a used i5 2500k on ebay for ~$160 or a new i5 3330 on amazon for $180? My budget is just that; $180

If it matters, I will be sticking with my old GPU for now (I have no plans to change it at all) and it is a GTX 460
 
Solution
Sn1992-1361850
Sort by date Sort by votes
P

plutonicmind9

Distinguished
Jun 7, 2009
27
0
18,530


How often does one need warranty for a CPU? Is it a risk you'd take for those "extra FPS"?

PS: I don't think overclocking will be needed for the games I play...plus, I have no experience with doing OC
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
fatboytyler

fatboytyler

Distinguished
Jan 29, 2012
590
0
19,160


Both of the said i5s are still better, especially in gaming. Besides he stated he has a Z68 mobo, thus making AMD useless.

I would personally go with the used CPU, BUT make sure its in great shape.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
P

plutonicmind9

Distinguished
Jun 7, 2009
27
0
18,530


All right, I'll keep searching on ebay...I just missed out on a 2-month used one for $160 2 days ago because I wasn't sure...

Two things though:

1) I used an online CPU benchmark and it showed that the 2500k consumed a lot more energy than the 3330...is this true?

2) If I lose my patience and can't find a decent used 2500k, would 3330 be a bad choice, in any sense?



Edit: Found a 6 month used one. What would be your highest bid?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Sn1992-1361850

Sn1992-1361850

Dignified
Jul 13, 2013
4,360
0
16,960
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
fatboytyler

fatboytyler

Distinguished
Jan 29, 2012
590
0
19,160
The 2500 is more powerful CPU thus consuming more power. But as Sn1992 stated, the 3350p would be a good route to go as well. The kley thing on the i5 is to make sure you get the Quad core version and you'll be golden. Find a 2500k and you can OC it. 6 months used is not too bad, but I would make sure its in good shape and see if he had it overclocked and how often he ran it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
P

plutonicmind9

Distinguished
Jun 7, 2009
27
0
18,530


Another alternative...I asked a relative of mine who lives in the US mainland, and she can get me a 3570k on MicroCenter then ship it to me

It'd cost $190+shipping costs.

Or should I just search for the 3350p on my local shop, for about $190 with tax?

How important is a CPU for gaming anyways? What games are there that would REALLY benefit from having a 3570k rather than a, say, 3350p? I can only think of Planetside 2...

This is a really important question for me though, because if there's not much of a difference, then I'd rather just get it locally.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
fatboytyler

fatboytyler

Distinguished
Jan 29, 2012
590
0
19,160
the 3570k has been dubbed has the best gaming CPU currently. Its the most powerful Ivy Bridge i5 out there, however if you don't plan on overclocking the 3350p should do you just fine. Its only a few percent slower than the 3570. BUT make sure your motherboard has a bios update that supports 22NM Ivy Bridge CPUs since you have a Z68 board.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom