Best CPU for single threaded scientific computing

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azurewelkin

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Mar 8, 2012
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I am considering to upgrade my desktop computer, mainly used for single threaded scientific computing (sometimes it can be parallelized but it is not often).

My budget is a little flexible but I do want to get the most cost effective CPU for my purpose, considering overclocking potential. Any recommendation would be very useful!

A side question: I know that non-K has locked multipliers, so K is probably easier to overclock and better for my purpose. But non-K can also be overclocked? How does having locked multipliers limit the overall overclocking capabilities? Can anyone comment on that?

Also, I need to get a motherboard, memory, and a case (and presumably a better fan), so any recommendation on those is welcome as well!

Thanks a lot!
 
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Rustyy117


Yep absolutely, if you don't mind alittle less performance to save some money then go for a i5-4670K or i5-3570 (however note that the i5-3570 you mentioned isn't a "K" version, if you want to overclock then make sure you get the "K"...
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Rustyy117

Rustyy117

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Oct 10, 2008
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Hi,

The 4770K is probably a good bet as it has a high IPC (instructions per cycle) value making it great at single threaded tasks.
Take a look here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html

It's also not too expensive for most people.

The 4770K's clock speed is determined by the base clock (100) and the multiplier (34 for example), so to overclock you increase one of those values, however, the base clock doesn't increase by much and doing so can cause adverse effects on other parts of the system so we use the multiplier to increase the clock speed.
You cannot change the multiplier with an non K chip so you cannot overclock with it very much.

What is your budget for the motherboard, memory, case and a heatsink/fan?
 
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azurewelkin

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Mar 8, 2012
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Thank you! I can probably tolerate a 10% performance difference if the price is good, so should I also consider i5-4670K or i5-3570?

From what you said about overclocking, I should definitely go with a K chip.

My total budget for the motherboard, memory, case and heatsink/fan is perhaps around $200 to $250. One thing to mention is that my current desktop is a Dell Precision Workstation 390 which I put in a Raedon 6770 video vard (1GB DDR5 PCI-e). Is there a possibility of reusing the video card?
 
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Rustyy117

Rustyy117

Splendid
Oct 10, 2008
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Yep absolutely, if you don't mind alittle less performance to save some money then go for a i5-4670K or i5-3570 (however note that the i5-3570 you mentioned isn't a "K" version, if you want to overclock then make sure you get the "K" version).

Just a few quick suggestions:

Motherboard, Don't choose a H series board as they don't support overclocking. :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128618

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231643

Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

I don't know how memory intensive the programs you'll be using are so I've chosen 8GB as an example.

The cooler is excellent value for money as should enable you to achieve a moderate overclock.

I didn't choose a case as it's very subjective, in terms of aesthetics.

And yes you could use your HD6770 aslong as the PSU you use is powerful enough.
 
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