Upgrade i5-2500k to i7-5930k?

Derrainga

Honorable
Mar 9, 2014
12
0
10,510
So I currently own a i5-2500k and at default, the core speed is 3.4ghz, but I have it OC'ed to 4.6ghz and is very stable. Now that skywell has been out for a while, I still feel no need to really make a jump from my reliable i5 to something like the 6700k. The reason I ask about the 5930k is because my friend is willing to sell it to me for $180 new compared to the current price of about $580 at newegg. My question is, will there be a significant performance jump that I will directly notice from gaming and other applications that worth the upgrade? or should I just stick with my OC'ed 2500k? is the 5930k just as versatile in OC'ing as the 2500k was?
 
Solution
The 5930K should OC to around 4.5Ghz. It has 6 cores/12 threads, compared to your 4 cores/4 threads. In gaming, it will help in minimums and CPU bound games, but most games may not see much of a difference. AC Syndicate will see massive improvements, as that one is a stutter fest on anything but i7's and 6+ core systems. In applications that are well threaded, the new i7 5930K will be much faster. DX12 promises to improve multithreading in games as well as consoles having more cores, likely means that as time goes on, the extra core/thread count will help more and more in gaming, though mostly it isn't needed now.

For $180, I'd jump on it. Even if it isn't needed this moment, you'd likely want to upgrade before long, and with the...
The 5930K should OC to around 4.5Ghz. It has 6 cores/12 threads, compared to your 4 cores/4 threads. In gaming, it will help in minimums and CPU bound games, but most games may not see much of a difference. AC Syndicate will see massive improvements, as that one is a stutter fest on anything but i7's and 6+ core systems. In applications that are well threaded, the new i7 5930K will be much faster. DX12 promises to improve multithreading in games as well as consoles having more cores, likely means that as time goes on, the extra core/thread count will help more and more in gaming, though mostly it isn't needed now.

For $180, I'd jump on it. Even if it isn't needed this moment, you'd likely want to upgrade before long, and with the new CPU, you will be good for 5+ years.
 
Solution

toddybody

Distinguished
Wow! That's a great price for a 5930K..

I'd absolutely consider that a major upgrade from Sandy Bridge in most respects. You'd be going from 4 physical cores to 6 physical (12 logical)...which is going to completely transform any kind of productivity applications you may use.

From a gaming perspective, I dont believe the "i7s are a waste" arguments...as many titles benefit from increased threads (especially multi-player sessions).

The only "downside" is that the 5930K will require more robust cooling to maintain a higher OC. I'd use a larger AIO like the Corsair H110/H100 or something similar if you plan on taking it to ~4.5Ghz.

Congrats friend, you'll have a boss x99 system...I'm jealous :)
 

ahmyday

Honorable
Nov 16, 2013
114
0
10,710


For the price, It is worth it to future proof your build, but that would also make you change your whole setup. Also, you need DDR4 RAMs.

In gaming performance, your 2500k would still be able to compete with the 5930k.
The only noticeable difference comes when using rendering/encoding/compressing software.

Here's a comparison for your reference
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1316?vs=288