HD2000 (i72600) vs HD3000 (i72600K)

[Kartik]

I just built a new system with the i7-2600 and a Asus P8H67 EVO motherboard. I wanted to know if there are any differences between the HD2000 (on the 2600) vs HD3000 (on the 2600K). My only uses are Photoshop and video editing & encoding. I do not use the system for gaming.

No one (including Intel support) seems to know the answer to whether HD3000 would be any better than HD2000 when it comes to Photoshop and video encoding. Given that the HD3000 has 12 EUs instead of 6 on the HD2000 might be better for gaming, would it be better in Photoshop and video editing & encoding.?

I dont mind spending an extra $25 and getting the 2600K but is it really worth it?

Thanks for your help!

 

[rolli59]

I believe that the HD3000 would be better on video editing or encoding. We then can dispute if you would not be better of spending the money on a discrete GPU instead that out performs both. HD5550/70 for example http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102875
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/radeon-hd-6450-caicos-blu-ray-3d,review-32162-10.html

 

[gracefully]

Also, if you get a K series processor, then its multiplier is unlocked, and it's easy as pie to overclock. However, because you have an H67 motherboard, you won't be able to overclock at all. You could change to a P67 motherboard, but then you'd lose access to the integrated GPU.

Since your main task seems to be video encoding and editing, I think you'd benefit more from a discrete GPU than a CPU upgrade, as long as you use the newer versions of Adobe's software which has GPU acceleration capabilities.

 

[Kartik]

Also, if you get a K series processor, then its multiplier is unlocked, and it's easy as pie to overclock. However, because you have an H67 motherboard, you won't be able to overclock at all. You could change to a P67 motherboard, but then you'd lose access to the integrated GPU.

Since your main task seems to be video encoding and editing, I think you'd benefit more from a discrete GPU than a CPU upgrade, as long as you use the newer versions of Adobe's software which has GPU acceleration capabilities.

I was thinking about a discrete GPU, however according to the reviews, the QuickSync feature which dramatically accelerates video encoding is only possible if I use the IGP, which is possible only by using a H67 board, which in turn means, as you said, I can't overclock. So the only benefit really with the 'K' is HD3000 vs HD2000. Whether this justifies the upgrade or not is the question.

@rolli59, Thanks. Do you have any information with benchmarks and/or a technical reason why the HD3000 would be better than HD2000 on video editing/encoding.

 

[rolli59]

I have not seen any but based on this I am convinced http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-7.html but you see the jump up to the HD5550 which probably is going to increase performance more than quick sync.

 

[gracefully]

Discrete GPUs have the same feature as well, it's just that the software has to support it. nVidia has CUDA; AMD has APP.

However, I agree that QS seems to be faster than even a GTX 570. In that light, I guess it makes sense to get a 2600K just for QS.

Reference: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-5.html

 

[Kartik]

Discrete GPUs have the same feature as well, it's just that the software has to support it. nVidia has CUDA; AMD has APP.

However, I agree that QS seems to be faster than even a GTX 570. In that light, I guess it makes sense to get a 2600K just for QS.

Reference: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-5.html

Thanks. I would have loved to see the HD2000 up there as well, which would have given us an idea whether the QS is really any different between HD3000 and HD2000. According to Intel, HD3000 only accelerates 3D applications.

 

[Kartik]

I have not seen any but based on this I am convinced http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-7.html but you see the jump up to the HD5550 which probably is going to increase performance more than quick sync.

Thanks, but all those tests are 3D games. I am yet to see a benchmark where non 3D content is benchmarked and the HD2000 and HD3000 are participants amongst others.

 

[Kartik]

I finally picked up a 2600K to get the HD3000 and some peace of mind Thanks everyone!

 

[Kartik]

Best answer selected by Kartik.

 

[akbarbasha]

Go for Z68 chipset boards from Asus, they have Universal Switchable Graphics
LucidLogix® Virtu's GPU virtualization technology which will utilize both the IGP and Descreet GPU.