Opinions on i5 2500 or i7 2600 system build

[inwd]

I'm interested in a new PC build in the next few months to replace my current setup

Q6600
GA-PEP35-DS3P
4GB DDR2
8800GT XXX

I mostly use the PC for graphic design applications, multitasking and gaming.

I don't know if it's worth spending the extra hundred dollars for the i7 2600 over the i5 2500 because of hyper threading and 8MB cache? Will it make a noticeable difference over the i5 when I'm multitasking, running adobe apps etc?

here is where I'm at with specs

i7 2600
Corsair dominator 8GB
Gigabyte GeForce GTX560 Ti
Antec True power 750watt
Fractal Design RC3

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <----- What's your budget, resolution, what do you need, don't need, etc...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007671%2050001157%20600095610&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA%201155 <--- current prices on those cpu's.

*Down below are some reviews/benchmarks of the Sandy Bridge cpu

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-2010/Gaming-Left-4-Dead,2432.html

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

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i5-2600k-i5-2500k-and-core-i3-2100-tested

 

[RickyT23]

Great sounding build, But you could benefit from a better GPU than the 6870. 2x6870's would work well for you, but maybe you shouild be considering a 6950 or a 6970, with the intention of Crossfiring a year down the line. It's just that the 2600K is such a powerful CPU, it deserves more than just a mid-range GPU you go with it. The 6series Radeons and the 5series NVidia cards all scale really well in crossfire and SLI, so dont be scared of having 2 cards !

 

[RickyT23]

And yes I believe it will be better to have the 2600K if you are doing a lot of multitasking with design apps like adobe. I use Dreamweaver, Gimp and Flash, often with browsers and Media Coverter open simnultaneously, maybe even an instance of Quake1, and I was using a Core 2 Duo e6750 before I got my 2500K. Things were starting to really seem slow and truncated at times.
I seriously considered getting the 2600K but my funds wouldnt stretch that far. The 2600K will give slightly higher speeds just from having the higher multipliers, let alone the hyperthreading capability, and increased cache memory (8Mb vs 6Mb). If you are planning on working really hard, then you might just deserve it!

 

[inwd]

OK thanks for providing some input on CPU it's difficult to know what CPU I can get away with.

 

[inwd]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <----- What's your budget, resolution, what do you need, don't need, etc...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007671%2050001157%20600095610&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA%201155 <--- current prices on those cpu's.

*Down below are some reviews/benchmarks of the Sandy Bridge cpu

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-2010/Gaming-Left-4-Dead,2432.html

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

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i5-2600k-i5-2500k-and-core-i3-2100-tested

Thanks! I'll check these links out.