I3 2100 or i5 2500K & Chipset considerations

[jiewmeng]

I am considering betweek 2100 or 2500K. Many recommended me to go 2500K for performance, and overclock-ablility.

Overclocking & Chipsets

Suppose I go 2500K, wont I need a P or Z series motherboard to use the overclocking functionality? It doesn't appear too useful to overclock an integrated GPU. Also I am not really into overclocking anyways.

Overkill?

I will be using it for development/programming. Using NetBeans, LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) Server, maybe Visual Studio and Virtual Box (Virtual PC) will be most resource intensive. Apart from that, I seldom game nowadays, ... but I may want to if I see 1 I like. Also I will use it to watch videos (Blu ray will probably be the best I'd go)

Budget

~ SGD1200 (~USD970) total inc LCD/Case/etc (probably going without GPU at first)

 

[spookyman]

I recommend doing the i5 2500k. Its a faster and heftier chip then the i3.

The biggest help would be RAM. Virtual boxes thrive on lots of RAM these days.

 

[jiewmeng]

I recommend doing the i5 2500k. Its a faster and heftier chip then the i3.

The biggest help would be RAM. Virtual boxes thrive on lots of RAM these days.

But suppose I get 25000K, I will need at least a P Chipset to overclock. Then with P Series, I need a discrete GPU. Leading to lots of costs. Or I could go Z Series, but also the price difference is quite abit ... hmm maybe I could consider ... stinging on other components like ...

Less RAM 1st (4GB perhaps)
Slower HDD (Caviar Blue instead of Black)
Smaller LCD (22" instead of 24")
Or something else ... any suggestions

 

[Emperus]

If you don't need it then better don't get it. The other thing a 'k' suffix processor offers over a non 'k' model is a better video chip. If you can give us your budget figure, may be we can help you put together a decent rig for your work.

 

[jiewmeng]

Best answer selected by jiewmeng.