i5 4670K or Xeon E3 1230 V3 for Gaming Purposes?

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

If I go for the i5, I will get an AsRock Z87 Extreme 3 mobo. I am not sure which mobo to get for the Xeon yet, but will try to keep it as cheap as possible.

Going for the i5 binds me to an R9 270X (budget-wise). going for the Xeon, will probably allow an R9 280X. What should I do, considering that the Xeon system will not have much of an upgrade path, but should last longer?

I already have:

PSU: Corsair CX500 80 Plus

Case: NZXT Phantom 410

RAM: Kingston HyperX CL9 2x4 GB 1600Mhz,
Kingston CL10 2x2 GB 1333Mhz (old RAM)

HDD: 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 500 GB

SSD: Plextor M5 120GB

Monitor: LG computer screen 1600x900 at 60Hz

Mouse: Logitech G400s

Keyboard: Logitech G100(from a combo)

Headset: Sennheiser HD 201

Willdobbo · Dec 23, 2013

i5's are great gaming cpu's, Xeons are generally used in servers are they have a lower clock speed and a higher amount of cores, I would go with the i5

_Vass · Dec 23, 2013

xeon is made for running 24/7 and cannot be overclocked due to the motherboard not supporting it. the i5 can be overclocked, and usually has higher stock speeds

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

Wow, that was quick!
Thanks for replying. So you suggest going with the i5 combo? Even with a lower GPU?

Foldalot · Dec 23, 2013

Your PSU already binds you to r9 270x, running r9 280x on a 500W PSU is kind of risky.

_Vass · Dec 23, 2013

gauravnba :

yes. the i5 is more future proof so you have the ability to upgrade gpu in the future without upgrading cpu.

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

Ok, lots of incorrect info here. The Xeon E3 1230 v3 is basically a i7 4770 without the integrated graphics. Its a very good cpu for the price, especially if you dont intend to overclock. Its not a "server class" cpu, it works on a regular Z87/H87 board, and its quite cheap. The Hyperthreading is also a useful bonus over the i5.

However, if you do intend on overclocking, then the 4670k is the way to go.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

The 270X is a very good card, however if you are confident with overclocking GPU's, save some money and get the 270, it's just an underclocked 270X. Hope this helps

It does help quite a lot good sir! If you can point to some evidence for the same I will be forever grateful!

yes. the i5 is more future proof so you have the ability to upgrade gpu in the future without upgrading cpu.

xeon is made for running 24/7 and cannot be overclocked due to the motherboard not supporting it. the i5 can be overclocked, and usually has higher stock speeds

Thanks, this helped me make the decision real quick!

Your PSU already binds you to r9 270x, running r9 280x on a 500W PSU is kind of risky.

I agree with you on that. Well, I guess it should suffice till my next upgrade

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

RobCrezz :

I do not mind overclocking, but I will resort to it if required. Like if I go crossfire in the future. I would like whichever build will last me longer.

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

gauravnba :

Performance will be very similar between the two. If you get a good 4670k then you might be able to get a good overclock, but its luck of the draw. However, games are starting to get more multithreaded, which gives the xeon/i7 an advantage with hyperthreading.

To be honest, both will be "useable" in gaming for similar amount of time.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

@ Derpeh
Thanks for that link. I considered the 270 as much lower than the 270x with locked units.
However, will the absence of that one extra 6-pin connector limit its overclocking on its way to 270x equivalence?
I am only running it to power 1600x900 screen, but would like to run most games on ultra, if possible.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

RobCrezz :

gauravnba :

Performance will be very similar between the two. If you get a good 4670k then you might be able to get a good overclock, but its luck of the draw. However, games are starting to get more multithreaded, which gives the xeon/i7 an advantage with hyperthreading.

To be honest, both will be "useable" in gaming for similar amount of time.

I see. So would you recommend Xeon with 280x/270x, or otherwise? According to most of the people here, my PSU won't be able to handle the 280X.

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

gauravnba :

RobCrezz :

I see. So would you recommend Xeon with 280x/270x, or otherwise? According to most of the people here, my PSU won't be able to handle the 280X.

Personally, I would say your PSU will be fine with the 280x. In general gaming the a 280x will draw about 210w, in total your system would probably draw about 360w.

A lot of people on here, tend to err on the side of caution with PSUs, which is a good thing, but it has kind of snowballed.

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

Derpeh :

I wouldnt pay any attention to AMDs recommendations for PSUs, they really are assuming everyone has a no name brand PSU with most of its power on the 5v rail...

Foldalot · Dec 23, 2013

It's true that a 500W PSU can handle r9 280x, but I am not sure if Corsair CX will be able to pull that off on a longer period.

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

Foldalot :

Corsair CX PSUs are good IMO, I have used a few of them with no issues, including a CX500 which has been running in a gaming pc for about 4 years or so with no problems.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

Derpeh :

RobCrezz :

Yeah, research on the topic points in favour of that. I have absolutely no intention of contradicting anyone on forums, but evidence suggests that my PSU should be able to handle the 280X.

That is exactly why I have been sitting on the fence with this set-up. I can't seem to decide which config will be more suitable, what with BF4 being so scalable on multiple threads.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

Derpeh :

Soooooo, Xeon+280x? Or i5+270 and then later upgrades? :??:

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

gauravnba :

If you plan to get a good cpu cooler and overclock in the future, get the 4670k (make sure you get a Z87 board), if not get a H87 and the 1230 v3.

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

For the best performance in games now, the 280x will make the bigger difference than either CPU.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

RobCrezz :

I would like to overclock, after I get a nice cooler, but the risk in the silicon quality kinda keeps me at bay. I live in India and the QC here is shoddy (don't know if that's a factor in the silicon lottery), making me think twice before I buy anything.

Also, is there really that big a difference between mATX boards and full ATX? I was thinking of getting the B85M-D3H (for the Xeon, if I opt for that)

RobCrezz · Dec 23, 2013

not much difference. mATX boards will have less expansion and ports usually.

I wouldnt worry about the silicon quality being in India as I would presume that the CPUs will come from the same place regardless.

These are both good cpus, so either will be good. Using good cpus like these will mean the performance of games will be down to what GPU you have for the most part.

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

RobCrezz :

Alright! So I guess the i5+extreme 3+R9 270, should be the way to go! The 270 can crossfire with a 270x right (for future expansion)?

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

I am just considering availability of cards here too (down the line, possibly used)

gauravnba · Dec 23, 2013

Thanks everyone for your help! Sadly, there can only be one Best Solution, even though everyone contributed so enthusiastically.

I will update the thread on obtaining the components, as is customary.

Best Solution chosen by gauravnba (OP)

i5 4670K or Xeon E3 1230 V3 for Gaming Purposes?

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Expert

Honorable

Honorable

Expert

Honorable

Honorable

Expert

Expert

Honorable

Expert

Honorable

Honorable

Expert

Expert

Honorable

Expert

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Share this page