Unless a game can utilize all 8 threads effectively, the i5 will do just fine. There will be minimal performance difference between the i5 and i7. Most likely you'll jsut be looking at a marginal improvement of maybe like... 1 to 5 fps in most games. Some of the newer games might be able to optimize it better. Like what's said above, if you can afford it go for it, but if not, the i5 will perform almost the same.