Mini Gaming Rig CPU

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kimbo_schlice

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Hi All! I'm planning on making either a mini ITX or micro ATX build, and had been planning on getting an Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor, but then it was suggested to me to get an Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor, because it would give me near i7 performance, and I am going to be getting a GTX 970, so I don't need integrated graphics.

Is the Xeon CPU a better choice? Since I am building a small rig, heat is a concern. Which is better heat-wise?
 
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kimbo_schlice, the 1231v3 is probably my favorite cpu on the market. I used it or the 1230v2/v3 many times, and it is awesome. I would get it over the i5 4690k 10 out of 10 times as I feel that overclocking is a waste of money. Pair it with a decent H97 motherboard and it actually comes out quite a bit cheaper than an overclocked i5 build. The 1231v3 runs a bit cooler than the i5s and i7s but it's not going to be noticeable unless you are comparing it to an overclocked chip. Unless you specifically buy a oem/tray version, the 1231v3 does come with a factory heatsink.
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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the TDP of the Xeon chip is lower than the TDP of the Intel i5 or i7. At the same time, the performance of the Xeon is comparable to the i7, not the i5, since it hyperthreads. Do note that you cannot overclock the Xeon similarly to the Core K-series models. Adjust your motherboard accordingly.
 
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kimbo_schlice

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Thanks for the reply Karsten75!

If I understand things correctly, a lower TDP is going to be better for my heat sensitive rig. As far as overclocking is concerned, I've never done it before. Am I going to be missing out an an appreciable performance difference for gaming if I'm not overclocking? Also, is a Xeon going to give me better performance than an overclocked i5?
 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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TDP is the maximum heat the chip can dissipate. In normal course of events, it's rare that you will run at those maximums. In single-core performance, there isn't much daylight between the Xeon you are considering and the i5 or the i7. In multi-threaded applications, the Xeon and i7 has a distinct advantage over the i5.

I would not bother myself with overclocking, but then I have to ask myself why you chose the K-series processor in the first instance. It's the unlocked version for overclocking. You can save some moolah by buying the locked i5. I think price-wise the i5 is cheaper than either the Xeon (and I know) the I7.
 
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kimbo_schlice

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If TDP is the max heat a chip can dissipate, then higher is actually better, right?

I had been looking at the K-series simply because it had been recommended to me. Assuming I don't mess with overclocking, it sounds like Xeon is a good choice.
 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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Most Xeons do not ship with a stock cooler. There are more compact and more silent AIO liquid coolers as well as air coolers. There's a very good thread stickied somewhere here on Tom's about coolers. . SilentPCReview.com does a great job reviewing coolers for silence and efficiency.
 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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Expensive? The reason we're having this discussion is that the Xeon E3-1231 V3 is nearly identical to the Core i7-4770 but comes at a discount to that processor since it lacks the IGP and runs at 8W TDP less.
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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StoneKany, you REALLY need to get acquainted with the Xeon e3-1231v3 so you can get on the same page as everyone else.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($241.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $241.95

You can see that it is almost identical to the i7 4770 minus the igpu. You can also see that it's NOT expensive, and that it's actually a LOT cheaper than the i7s. It works in EVERY consumer LGA1150 motherboard at this point. Even the ~$30 H81 boards.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/80910,75122,80908,80916
 
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CTurbo

CTurbo

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kimbo_schlice, the 1231v3 is probably my favorite cpu on the market. I used it or the 1230v2/v3 many times, and it is awesome. I would get it over the i5 4690k 10 out of 10 times as I feel that overclocking is a waste of money. Pair it with a decent H97 motherboard and it actually comes out quite a bit cheaper than an overclocked i5 build. The 1231v3 runs a bit cooler than the i5s and i7s but it's not going to be noticeable unless you are comparing it to an overclocked chip. Unless you specifically buy a oem/tray version, the 1231v3 does come with a factory heatsink.
 
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kimbo_schlice

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Great advice, everybody. I think I'm leaning towards a Xeon 1231v3 with an H97 MOBO. How do I know whether or not I need an after market CPU cooler? Is that something I only need to worry about if I'm overclocking (and therefore unnecessary in this build)?
 
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