I5-2500k right for me?

[Aarames]

Looking to build a new system. I'm looking at the i5-2500k for a possible CPU choice. I'll be purchasing a GTX 570, so definitely not using the on-board graphics from the i5-2500k. Given this, is this processor still worth it? Am I paying extra for a feature I don't need (on-board graphics), and if so, is there a better alternative I should look at for a CPU?

Last question - if i5-2500k is the way to go, what mobo do you recommend (are the recall issues worked out???)?

 

[bearclaw99]

There is no better processor than the i5 2500K in its price range. I'd suggest mine, ASRock P67 Extreme 4 motherboard. Relatively cheap and problem free for $155

 

[k1114]

The i5-2500 is only $10 less with the hd 2000 instead of the 3000 but has a locked multiplier. The recall has been fixed but I can't really suggest one until you fill this out. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[manu 11]

i5 2500k is the best cpu in the price rang2,add a 6950 and flash it to a 6970.it will be faster than the gtx 570.
good luck

 

[Aarames]

Ok, here's some more info...

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP


Budget Range: $1000-1500


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (really only interested in one game right now, the MMO Lotro...wanting to max out graphics / performance on this game)


Parts Not Required: need all parts


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, tigerdirect


Country of Origin: U.S.


Parts Preferences: open


Overclocking: Maybe, but not hardcore


SLI or Crossfire: Yes, in future; but 1 gc now; looking at geForce GTX 570 at the moment


Monitor Resolution: anything around1680x1050 to 1920x1200

 

[manu 11]

here is a good rig.

i5 2500k sandy bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 -224$


SAPPHIRE 100312-1GSR Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 -you can flash it to a 6970 242$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102921


ASUS SABERTOOTH P67 (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard- sold mobo with crossfire support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131702 -219$


ASUS VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor 179$

quality monitor with hd support

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready

a quality psu- 109$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006



SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5-54$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) -49$

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus-34$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit -99$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754


Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 -18$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109149

Logitech G500 10 Buttons Dual-mode Scroll Wheel USB Wired Laser 5700 dpi Gaming Mouse -54$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104318



total 1272$ without rebate and shipping

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

The above system is nice, but I'd recommend a less expensive mainboard (like the ASRock P67 Extreme4) and putting that money into an 8GB memory kit (Corsair Vengeance or G.Skill Ripjaws X).

Edit: And to answer your question, yes the SATA bug has been worked out. You just need to make sure to buy a B3 board. All of them out now should be. And no, you won't find a better CPU for the price.

 

[Aarames]

Thanks all for the great advice. Looking forward to the build!

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

At this time there is no better processor in the price vs. performance and it is almost tied in overall performance in gaming. The Intel® Core™ I5 2500K is just one of those processor where it seems to hit all the magic points for a time. Unless you are doing video/audio or heavy multi-threaded work the Intel Core I5 2500K hits it out of the park.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[RetiredChief]

All great advice.
Tend to agree with Leaps-from-shawdows on memory. Currently not a big performance gain in games going from 4 -> 8, but still recommend.
One thing - I noticed "ASAP" for timing, But if possible, I'd wait for the Z68 which hopefully will be out between the 1 -> 15th of May. This is NOT for improving gaming, But, if I'm reading it right, it should auto switch between IGP and GPU card depending on "need". Ie surfing the web = IGP, gaming = Dedicated GPU.

Me, I'm waiting on the Z68 - Have everything else!

Another reason I'm NOT getting a P67, at least for a while.
I have one nagging dought on the current P67-B3 boards. What did these companies do with all the pre-B3 MBs they got back - I HOPE they did NOT Mod them, put them in a new box and resale as New. ????? Hopefully they would mod them and sell as "refurbished" at a reduced price, But that could be wishfull think

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Another reason I'm NOT getting a P67, at least for a while.
I have one nagging dought on the current P67-B3 boards. What did these companies do with all the pre-B3 MBs they got back

Nope, We asked for the return on all the B2 chipset to us and exchanged them for a replacement B3 chipset, We dont want any left out there. The only way that a B2 board lives is if the company totally disables the old SATA 2 ports (maybe in a laptop, where they can run everything off the SATA 3 ports).

 

[Aarames]

Good thoughts. I will definitely grab 8GB memory for a little future-proofing. "ASAP" may have been a little ambitious...I would like it ASAP, but willing to wait a bit. The Z68 is tempting to wait on...would like to be able to actually use the on-board graphics in case of emergencies if my dedicated card goes out. However, is this auto-switching between IGP and GPU card on-the-fly? Will that in any way interfere with gaming performance if it is constantly checking to see which one to use? Or does it just go full-on GPU card once you launch a game?

 

[k1114]

Switching betewen igp and discrete will probably be handled by lucid. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lucidlogix-virtu-gpu-virtualization,2877.html Or you can have multi monitors and have one in mobo and other in the card. Or if it is an emergency with one monitor just take it out of the card and put it in the mobo.

 

[RetiredChief]

@ IntelEnthusiast

I'd assumend they would have tow swap out the chipset - Which Precisely what my concern is, getting a board that has been return and the chipset replaced - the old walking wound. I would have no idea how the board was handled by the person retuning it and this type of defect is very dificult to identify and often left to be found out by a "new" owner sooner, or later. Mind you it is only a possibility - but to me a real one.

 

[asantesoul]

Futureproofing doesn't exist..spend wisely..and the 2500k is right for anybody and everybody...the fact that you even asked is insulting! Check newegg.com and see the reviews the chip got..even beyond that everyone knows how great it is...overclocks like a bosssss....and is the best chip for gaming and even some light editing..actually, any kind of editing...it's the chip of the year for that price and performance

 

[hcstnfrd]

i5 2500k is the best cpu in the price rang2,add a 6950 and flash it to a 6970.it will be faster than the gtx 570.
good luck

Quit telling people this, unless you get an original 6950 it will not flash to a 6970, they've changed things in the new revision. As to whether you get a new revision card or an original is all up to chance itself.

 

[manu 11]

Quit telling people this, unless you get an original 6950 it will not flash to a 6970, they've changed things in the new revision. As to whether you get a new revision card or an original is all up to chance itself.

no mate,i just bought the 6950 for my little brother three days back,i was trying to flash it to a 6970 and what i got was success,but,for gaming,a 6950 is also sufficient for hardcore gaming unless you are into some serious multimonitor gaming.Good Luck!have fun.

 

[manu 11]

yes,2gb models are only unlockable,i also got 2gb model but the 1gb is also sufficient

 

[Mrsh4dy]

It still shouldn't be advised as something that is readily available. If the person in question isn't paying enough attention and does flash it without it having a bios switch he is screwed (obviously if the flashing fails).

But isn't advising the 2500K overkill for just an MMO?
Anyway it is still an excellent cpu choice and should last for quite a while.

 

[ferelden]

nothing wrong with overkill when it is at such a good price. he is wondering if there is currently a better alternative and there isn't.