Gaming build with cheaper cpu?

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

Hi Im planning a gaming build and I keep flipping thoughts for the cpu to use. Im thinking about using an i3 istead of an i5 to save about $80, because in 3-4 years when the cpu is really bottlenecking I can just replace the whole thing especially with mantle boosting cpu performance. Basically Im asking if going with a less powered cpu will not bottleneck by more than a few frames over an i5 (especially with mantle). Here is my build please give me your opinions!

**CPU** | [Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34150) | $118.48 @ SuperBiiz
**Motherboard** | [MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-h81mp33) | $43.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-khx16c9b1bk28x) | $71.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $52.92 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [PowerColor Radeon R9 270X 2GB PCS+ Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-axr9270x2gbd5ppdhe) | $159.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210002) | $45.98 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100w10500kr) | $29.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $523.34
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-12 00:22 EDT-0400 |

Alpha3031 · Jun 12, 2014

The intel G3258 is out and is even cheaper. Meanwhile it can beat the single thread performance of an i7.

pkandro · Jun 12, 2014

an i3 would play well with a 270x but i think if you cant get an i5 go for a fx 6300 which combined mantel can give near i5 performance for the price of an i3

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

Alpha3031 :

Single threaded yes but for gaming wouldnt i need the 4+ cores?

logainofhades · Jun 12, 2014

It looks like you had mail in rebates turned on. I generally avoid doing that, but here is a build with them on that has a better GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.03 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $528.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-12 10:39 EDT-0400)

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

logainofhades :

It looks like you had mail in rebates turned on. I generally avoid doing that, but here is a build with them on that has a better GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-DGS R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC Video Card ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.03 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $528.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-12 10:39 EDT-0400)

I really like that build but you dont think the i3 would bottleneck the 280?

logainofhades · Jun 12, 2014

It might in more CPU dependent titles, but you can crank up the eye candy to compensate. Also, it is the same price as some 270x's.

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

logainofhades :

Ok thank you. Also I was thinking with the i3 I would probably need to upgrade in 2 or so years because that's when I'll probably upgrade my gpu. However, If I went with the i5 I feel like I wouldn't need to upgrade it for 4-5 years before it bottle-necked a gtx 800 or whatever gpu is good in 2 years. So to clarify my question, If I went with the i3 over the i5, do you think it would be worth saving $70 even though I would need to upgrade it possibly twice as soon? Or am I making inaccurate estimates on the longev ity of the I3 v I5?

logainofhades · Jun 12, 2014

The i5 would probably last you longer going forward.

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

logainofhades :

how much longer would you say? I plan on upgrading the gpu every 2 years or so.

logainofhades · Jun 12, 2014

You are already pretty much at the limit with a 270x/280 and an i3. An i5 is good enough still for a 290x.

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

logainofhades :

Oh ok. I was hoping that with some cpu strain being taken off with mantle and dx12 in a few years that might help extend the life of the i3. If I wont be able to use the i3 for the next generation of gpus I think it would be more cost effective to just spend more money now and have pretty much double the longevity.

logainofhades · Jun 12, 2014

It might help, it is still kind of a big unknown at this point in time, though. If you spend a bit more and get an H97 board, you could upgrade to a broadwell CPU next year.

Alpha3031 · Jun 12, 2014

kdeal013 :

With single threaded vs multi threaded, and i3 has hyperthreading, meaning is still only has the actual resourceses of 2 cores so it's better to get the pentium

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

So youre saying the pentinum will not bottleneck the 280?

Alpha3031 · Jun 12, 2014

kdeal013 :

Not, unless you're playing something really intensive like watchdogs, and you can also crank up the frequency in BIOS.

kdeal013 · Jun 12, 2014

Hmmm What mobo would you recommend for it? And could I run the stock cooler on it?

Alpha3031 · Jun 13, 2014

Asrock z97 pro3 and yes but it's suggested to get a a cooler master 212 evo or a h100i, the second one is better

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