Building a PC, Advice on CPU and GPU Combination

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crenfro36

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Mar 2, 2014
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Hello all!

I am building my very first PC on my own. I have experienced many and know HOW to do it, but I just have a quick, hopefully simple question to ask of you! This may have been answered but I couldn't find anything by searching...

Right now I am at a standstill and at the final process of buying parts. I have a decision with the CPU and GPU combination.

Here are my options:

1.
Intel i3 - 4330 @ 3.5GHz http://
paired with
GeForce GTX 660 http://

2.
Intel i5 - 4430 @ 3.0GHz http://
paired with
GeForce GTX 650Ti http://

So, option 1 or 2?

The new i3 Haswell has very good reviews and performs very well, but is the i5 with quad cores that much better? This is a budget build, so don't tell me to just go for an i7... it's either one or the other.

Thanks!
 
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Xavier Wells

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Jun 29, 2013
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What is the purpose? Also, what is budget? Just something that might help me with your decision. If it's for gaming I would definitely do the i3, because that 660 will blow the 650 ti away.
 
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crenfro36

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Mar 2, 2014
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Sorry I should've let you know! It's going to mainly used as a gaming PC. Maybe some streaming and video editing here and there. My budget right now is somewhere between $600-$700. I already have all the other parts picked out, just needing to decide the CPU and GPU.
 
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Xavier Wells

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Jun 29, 2013
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"Just get a titan and an i7" Nah! I'm kidding! Jeez I hate when people do that. But anyway Maybe a 650 ti boost at least?
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 1GB Video Card ($160.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $340.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-02 21:34 EST-0500)

Does that fit?
 
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crenfro36

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Mar 2, 2014
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I like that combination! I never really thought about the boost, is there a reason why it isn't on Newegg? I may consider that as the answer though!
 
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Xavier Wells

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For some reason they just stopped carrying them. I can confirm superbiiz is a great site. bought from them multiple times and have had very few DOAs[Which will happen no matter where you go]
 
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crenfro36

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Mar 2, 2014
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Ok thanks! So just to confirm the i5 with a 650Ti Boost will outperform the i3 with 660?
 
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Xavier Wells

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Jun 29, 2013
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That's the thing, they would be pretty close, probably about 7% performance apart with the i3/660 winning, BUT in the future it'll probably be better to have the i5/650tiboost and just upgrade the graphics. Basically, what I'm saying is if you get the i5 now you'll just have to upgrade the graphics when your system starts becoming more dated, whilst if you went with the i3 you'd have to upgrade both cpu and graphics again. I just say save yourself the trouble, get the i5 combo now for a slight performance hit but more cost effective future.
 
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