AMD Phenom II X2 555 vs. Intel I5-750

[theQC]

If I go with the AMD, the CPU would be around 90 bucks and the motherboard would be 65 for a total of $155.

If I go with the Intel, the CPU would be 100 bucks (discount via friend) and the motherboard would be 95 for a total of $195.

If I go with the AMD, I could unlock the 3rd and 4th cores.

Is the I5 worth the extra money?

I'll be using the computer for Starcraft 2 and someday Diablo 3 at 1600x900 resolution. I don't really play any other games or really have a need for the PC other than just to play SC2 and D3 (someday).

Thanks!

 

[hunter315]

Never bet on unlocking the extra cores, it is far from guaranteed. For only $40 more i would go for the i5 750, it will be quite a bit quicker than the 555 and is guarenteed to be a quad core, if you OC it it will beat out an OC'd 555 pretty easily in most tasks.

 

[rolli59]

Yes because although there is a possibility you can unlock the cores it is not guarantied.

 

[theQC]

Let's assume I am able to unlock the cores on the Phenom ... would that change the discussion any or would the I5-750 still be worth the extra 40 bucks?

 

[theQC]

Best answer selected by theQC.