I5-680 (3.60Ghz) or i7-880 (3.06Ghz)

[kyn]

Hello,

I'm thinking about getting a new custom pc, but curious should i have a i5 680 (3.60GHz, 4MB Cache) or i7-880 (3.06GHz, 8MB Cache), becuase the i5 is alot faster but has less Cache n only 2 cores.

I'm hoping to use my pc for gaming (Call f Duty, Assassin's Creed, Bioshock) but in high-ish detail, and possible VMs, i'm also hoping not to upgrade for atleast 5 years

 

[rolli59]

Not upgrading for 5 years better of with the I7 quad. For gaming right now the I5 is going to be faster.

 

[kyn]

But wouldn't the vast speed allow the i5 to be competitive for 5 yrs?

 

[rolli59]

We said the same thing not so many years ago with fast single core CPU´s, Intel introduced a 3.8GHz P4EE in 2005 and it went obsolete in a 2-3 years.
If more and more multithreaded applications (programs, games) come on the market the quantity of cores is going to speed up processing. A fast dual core is going to hold its own though for some time but there is a reason they are coming out with 6 core CPU´s.

 

[kyn]

True, I guess your right there must be a reason them to make 6 cores. In that case i'll go for i7, Thanks for the replies, probably save me upto grand. Thanks

 

[Timop]

Why not go for the 870? much cheaper atm for not much of a performance decrease.

The fact you'll (might) be running VMs should detract you from the duo, it is one application that benefits nicely with quads.

 

[kyn]

Thanks I didnt realise that, save myself £120 and i guess ur right about VMs n quads, thanks, you've been helpful.