I-5 760 build vs i-7 930 system

[reignsupreme11]

Hey Guys

I'm working on a new build, though I'm just in the planning steps. I may delay the whole system until Sandy Bridge/Bulldozer comes out, and build next summer, but I'm not sure yet.

If I were to build now though, here is my CPU predicament.

i5-760
MSI P55A-G55 - http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=54097
Scythe Mugen 2 REV.B. - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=47758&vpn=SCMG-2100&manufacture=Scythe
8 GB RAM

TOTAL: 500$ CAD

vs.

i7-930 with
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 - http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=42819
6GB RAM

TOTAL: 585$ CAD

I'll be using this system mostly for gaming, but I'm also going into Engineering, so i'll be using many rendering programs and AUTOcad related programs.

My question is:
Is the i7-930 based system worth the extra 85$ over the i5-760 program, given what i'll be using it for.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[tecmo34]

Yes... The i7-950 is worth the extra $85 for your school usages. For Gaming, it is pretty equal across the board. Overall, I would go with the i7-950 (This combo... http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.526547 )

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/191?vs=100

 

[reignsupreme11]

i appreciate the advice. another question though:

i7-930 comes with a combo on ncix where that noctua cooler is basically thrown in for free.

this i7-950 combo is 10$ for the cpu/mobo, but no cooler. to add in a comparable cooler makes an i7-950 another 40$ more than the i7-930.

is the i7-950 worth 40$ over the i7-930 (remember overclocking)? i could still get that same motherboard on newegg for 200$ free shipping btw.

thanks

 

[tecmo34]

IMO, the i7-950 is worth the extra $40 for 1) the i7-950 is the CPU they are moving forward with, which means the i7-930 will be discontinued and 2) originally, the i7-950 was twice as much as the i7-930, making the i7-930 the better choice at that time, which is no longer the case at $40.

 

[reignsupreme11]

Asides from the click speeds, what else is different, and with the high quality mocha cooler could I get enough overclock out if the 930 to compensate?

 

[reignsupreme11]

Clock*

 

[tecmo34]

The i7-950 will overclock just as well as the i7-930. If you start with a higher clock, with minor adjustments you'll be higher. In other words, it'll take less effort to reach 4GHz with the i7-950 than the i7-930.

 

[reignsupreme11]

Yeah I know. I can get the 930/mobo for the same price as he 950mibo combo. Only difference is with the 930 I can get a sick cooler (70$ value) for no charge whole the 950 I have to pay extra for a cooler. The cooler composes the difference of price. Is having a better cooler more significant than the price difference and clock speed of the i7 950

 

[tecmo34]

To answer that I would have to know the cooler you would have to get. Obvious, a better cooler will impact your ability to overclock but if you are saying you are getting the cooler listed in the i5-760 build versus the i7-930 build... I would not even think twice about going with the Mugen 2 & i7-950 over the i7-930 & Noctua. The Mugen 2 will match the performance of the Noctua at a lower price.

 

[wolfram23]

I'd go with the 930 + cooler, because clock for clock it should perform the same as the 950 even tho the 950 starts higher. So it might be a "little more effort" as tecmo put it, but they are the same architecture.

On the other hand, if you can render with CUDA or OpenCL then maybe getting the i5 760 and a top GPU would be more cost effective.

 

[kyleguy298]

Just go with the i7 930 but if your not going to use 3 way sli just go for the Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 it can go only up to 2 way sli but I personally think that thats enough, that way the money saved on motherboard can be used to buy a 950 instead of a 930

 

[reignsupreme11]

i've talked to a few people in engineering, and they've told me you don't need mad computing power for the software--i was told anything in excess of a Phenom X4 940, which an i5-760 smokes. I think i'll go with the i7 and put the extra money towards better graphics.

 

[PrAmok]

Yea, its a very tough choice. But aslong you are getting a decent Aftermarket heatsink for your 930. You should hit 4ghz easily. I got my 920 D0 to 4.2 but it was too hot so i turned it down. Haven't brought it back up yet. My OS id giving me problems.

Also, a 5870 is the ideal GPU for this build. Even get another in the future if you get multiple monitors.

 

[kyleguy298]

i've talked to a few people in engineering, and they've told me you don't need mad computing power for the software--i was told anything in excess of a Phenom X4 940, which an i5-760 smokes. I think i'll go with the i7 and put the extra money towards better graphics.

Still if you say better graphics card doesnt mean SLI just get 2 GTX 460s or 2 5970 or 6850 and youll be alright