New Intel I7 vs I5

[jnulr]

Hello,

I'm a newbie so this may sound a bit "lame" but if I want a new desktop that's at the top of current technology which Intel chip is right for me? I'm not a gamer however that's not to say I might want to try gaming sometime, however I want to be able to work with pictures, sound files, movies etc. so I'm leaning towards the I7 chip with Windows 7 O.S. I'm not sure what the I5 chip is all about but I have read it doesn't have hyperthreading which I'm not sure I understand.

Any help or suggestions? Also, what websites would you recommend to have a computer built like this with someone having the knowledge to make certain I haven't chose components that may not compliment one another.

Thanks!


jnulr

 

[Twoboxer]

If you're not a gamer and you don't already have a list of specific apps you know are demanding, it may well be you could do with something less than an 15 or 17. But to answer your original question . . .

An i5 750 will overclock itself when fewer than 4 cores are being used, and will perform *extremely* well even as a hard-gaming cpu.

Oversimplifying, the i7 line adds hyperthreading to allow each core to work on two threads . . . not really simultaneously like two real cores would . . . but so it starts to look like an 8 core cpu. Will perform better than the i5 if you have a lot of thrads to run at the same time.

From the "sound" of your post. the i5 750 should be more than enough.

Do you want to build it or buy it pre-built?

 

[jnulr]

If you're not a gamer and you don't already have a list of specific apps you know are demanding, it may well be you could do with something less than an 15 or 17. But to answer your original question . . .

An i5 750 will overclock itself when fewer than 4 cores are being used, and will perform *extremely* well even as a hard-gaming cpu.

Oversimplifying, the i7 line adds hyperthreading to allow each core to work on two threads . . . not really simultaneously like two real cores would . . . but so it starts to look like an 8 core cpu. Will perform better than the i5 if you have a lot of thrads to run at the same time.

From the "sound" of your post. the i5 750 should be more than enough.

Do you want to build it or buy it pre-built?

THANKS!

 

[jnulr]

If you're not a gamer and you don't already have a list of specific apps you know are demanding, it may well be you could do with something less than an 15 or 17. But to answer your original question . . .

An i5 750 will overclock itself when fewer than 4 cores are being used, and will perform *extremely* well even as a hard-gaming cpu.

Oversimplifying, the i7 line adds hyperthreading to allow each core to work on two threads . . . not really simultaneously like two real cores would . . . but so it starts to look like an 8 core cpu. Will perform better than the i5 if you have a lot of thrads to run at the same time.

From the "sound" of your post. the i5 750 should be more than enough.

Do you want to build it or buy it pre-built?

oops! didn't mean to send that so quickly. Thanks again for the information. Yes, I've built one many years ago, but I'm thinking I might have someone build this one for me that would know the best chipset, ram, video card etc. that would work best together. I would have to come up to speed on a lot of up-to-date information and I don't have too much time before buying my dream machine. I was told MWAVE.com can do a pretty good job building computers. Any thoughts on this? I'm certainly open for your suggestions.

Thanks again,

jnulr

 

[Twoboxer]

If your concern is choosing the right parts, folks here will make sure you do that.

If you are worried about assembly and that first boot-up, then an "assembler" might be a good idea.

I have no experience using one and I haven't heard anything about mwave. Even if I did, that would only be a sample of one lol.

Several folks, including one Tom's Hardware configuration review have used Cyberpower. You can usually configure the specific parts you want there with the exception of certain memory and hard disk specs.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

Anyhow, I'll pull together a 750 configuration parts list from Newegg that we can talk through and get others to comment on. It should help whichever way you go.

You can help a bit by :

- Tell me what your screen size and native (or max) resolution will be. If you have a "small" screen now, but want to protect against a future purchase of a 22"-27" 1920x1200 screen, this would be the time to say so lol. This info will point to the right video card, even for games. In turn, that will dictate the size of the psu.

- Go to www.newegg.com - or anywhere you like - and choose a case or two or more that you like the looks of. Then we can get you a case in that style that will be good for the configuration, too.

 

[Twoboxer]

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Motherboard: Gigabyte P55M-UD2 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405

Only $10 more than the least expensive mobo, this major name brand offering has all the connectors you would need. It also overclocks and can handle two video cards well. A no-brainer for your configuration.

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB DDR3 1333 Latency 7 $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

Fast and inexpensive. No need to spend more on memory; could spend maybe $10 less. While you shouldn't need more memory, a second kit could be added for 8GB.

PSU: Seasonic SS-500ET 500W $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151069

One of just a few brand names (Corsair, PC Power & Cooling also come to mind; also many but not all Antecs) that can be recommended withOUT qualification. This will power *any* single video card.

HD: Western Digital Black 640GB $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
There's now a Seagate out there that specs better, and may be better (no 3rd party reviews yet), but this one is proven fast and reliable.

Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Read/Write $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
Does everything but eat . . . and fast.

OS: Vista 64-bit with Free upgrade to Windows 7 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677
If you'll never go beyond 4GB memory, 32-bit is fine. If you don't have any really old applicatons or hardware on your PC, and if you want to leave open the possibility to go to 8GB, you'll want the 64-bit version. Both cost the same.

This totals $684 in parts without looking for combo deals (will save $10-$20). We need a case and video card, so the total will be $900 +/- $50 at this point. You need to know this configuration is much more than you need and costs maybe $200 more than a PC to surf the web and run most apps you mention well. OTOH, depending on the vid card, there's *nothing* it won't run well . . . for quite some time to come.

 

[jnulr]

If your concern is choosing the right parts, folks here will make sure you do that.

If you are worried about assembly and that first boot-up, then an "assembler" might be a good idea.

I have no experience using one and I haven't heard anything about mwave. Even if I did, that would only be a sample of one lol.

Several folks, including one Tom's Hardware configuration review have used Cyberpower. You can usually configure the specific parts you want there with the exception of certain memory and hard disk specs.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

Anyhow, I'll pull together a 750 configuration parts list from Newegg that we can talk through and get others to comment on. It should help whichever way you go.

You can help a bit by :

- Tell me what your screen size and native (or max) resolution will be. If you have a "small" screen now, but want to protect against a future purchase of a 22"-27" 1920x1200 screen, this would be the time to say so lol. This info will point to the right video card, even for games. In turn, that will dictate the size of the psu.

- Go to www.newegg.com - or anywhere you like - and choose a case or two or more that you like the looks of. Then we can get you a case in that style that will be good for the configuration, too.

Hi Twoboxer! Hey You really did the research and I do appreciate it but the only thing is I won't be ready to buy until May or June of 2010, then I'll buy 2 desktops at one time. I am in the preliminary research of what I would like my wife and I to have at the top of the current technology rung. I will keep your references and when I get ready I'll have this much more information to make my decision. You have pretty much answered my original question regarding the I7 and I5 chips and you've been very helpful. I do appreciate it. Thanks again.
jnulr

 

[Twoboxer]

NP. Good Luck.

 

[callousdigits]

What happened to "I have very little time until i build my dream machine?" By next May or June, the landscape will have changed dramatically. I'd check back here within a month or so of your actual purchase date!

 

[kjdewosk]

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Motherboard: Gigabyte P55M-UD2 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405

Only $10 more than the least expensive mobo, this major name brand offering has all the connectors you would need. It also overclocks and can handle two video cards well. A no-brainer for your configuration.

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB DDR3 1333 Latency 7 $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

Fast and inexpensive. No need to spend more on memory; could spend maybe $10 less. While you shouldn't need more memory, a second kit could be added for 8GB.

PSU: Seasonic SS-500ET 500W $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151069

One of just a few brand names (Corsair, PC Power & Cooling also come to mind; also many but not all Antecs) that can be recommended withOUT qualification. This will power *any* single video card.

HD: Western Digital Black 640GB $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
There's now a Seagate out there that specs better, and may be better (no 3rd party reviews yet), but this one is proven fast and reliable.

Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Read/Write $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
Does everything but eat . . . and fast.

OS: Vista 64-bit with Free upgrade to Windows 7 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677
If you'll never go beyond 4GB memory, 32-bit is fine. If you don't have any really old applicatons or hardware on your PC, and if you want to leave open the possibility to go to 8GB, you'll want the 64-bit version. Both cost the same.

This totals $684 in parts without looking for combo deals (will save $10-$20). We need a case and video card, so the total will be $900 +/- $50 at this point. You need to know this configuration is much more than you need and costs maybe $200 more than a PC to surf the web and run most apps you mention well. OTOH, depending on the vid card, there's *nothing* it won't run well . . . for quite some time to come.