dual core hyper vs quad core

pnwmountaineer · Feb 27, 2015

I am getting ready to build a new computer and have a question on processors. The main purpose of the computer is photo editing (Photoshop CS6) and I will do some audio recording and mixing as well. Unfortunately, money is a huge factor for this build so I'm looking to save money wherever possible. First question would be on the Asus Z97-E motherboard vs the Asus Z97-A motherboard; for a non-gamer in one of these better than the other? Since both motherboards are LGA 1150 I can upgrade the processor down the road when money is more plentiful

but in the meantime is there a big performance boost going with a true quad core no hyperthreading i.e. i5-4570 vs a dual core with HT i.e. i3-4160? My build plan is as follows:

One of the two motherboard listed above. (unless someone has a better value for my needs)
i3-4160 processor (waiting for replies to this thread)
16GB ram (will upgrade to more later)
Antec NeoEco 620 watt PS
Asus GTX650 1GB video card (I'm planning on some very minor video editing)
Samsung EVO 250 SSD
Windows 7

That's the nuts and bolts of it. I really look forward to hearing from people mainly on the MB and the CPU questions. Again, main purpose is photo editing.

Thanks,

Craig

AdviserKulikov · Feb 27, 2015

For a non-gamer, the choice of motherboard is largely just pick the lowest priced one that supports your CPU. The Z97 chipset series supports overclocking of unlocked processors, which I do not believe you are looking into.

All hyper threading allows is the simulation of 2 cores per core. The clock speed of the processor determines how fast it will be. Most of the time another real core is better than a simulated one if you are going to be pushing the CPU.

For $10 more you can get a GTX750 which is about twice as powerful. $25 more you can get one with double the VRAM which can be useful if you are using 3D editing.

geofelt · Feb 27, 2015

Since you are looking at a cpu upgrade down the road, I suggest you pay a bit more for a Z97 based motherboard.
You will have a future upgrade option to broadwell, or an overclockable i7-4790K.

You can spend $120 on a i3-4160, but I really think your apps can use more cores, so a i5- 4590 for $200 would be appropriate.

I think you can save some by using the integrated video adapter.
Discrete cards are mostly for fast action gamers.
In the future, possibly a nvidia discrete graphics card could be added for the CUDA cores if your editing app can use them.
On the psu, I suggest a quality 550-650w psu.
That is large enough to support a strong graphics card in the future.
Here is one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
Seasonic is one of the better quality units:
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true

Consider buying your 32gb ram kit up front.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.
Although, I think the problem has lessened with the newer Intel chipsets. Still,
it is safer to get what you need in one kit.

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dual core hyper vs quad core

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