Core I3 2130 vs core i5 2320

[olympias72]

Hello all, I am interested in one of these two new Sandy Bridge processors, but I'm having a hard time deciding which to go with. I use my PC for Gaming, internet browsing, music and videos and a little word and excel.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115091 Core i5 2320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115092 Core i3 2130

I have two questions:

1. How do these two processors compare to each other for what I'm using my PC for? I feel like they might perform similarly because one has 2 more cores and the other is 400 MHz higher? Am I wrong? Which will be better for my uses?

2. How will either of these processors compare to my current AMD Phenom 9750? (2.4 x 4) I'm nervous about going back to a dual core because I stepped up to quad core 3 years ago and I feel like its a step backwards. Has anyone else had this fear when considering the new core i3s? Are my fears unfounded?

I really wanted to get a 2500k and be done with it, im just not sure I have the money to do it, I really need to come in under 200$ preferably closer to 150$.

Thanks!

 

[jaguarskx]

The Core i3-2130 will perform marginally better than the Core i5-2320 in games that only use 1 or 2 cores at most because of the 100MHz difference (which really isn't much). The Core i5-2320 will perform better in games that uses 3 or 4 cores. Most games still only use 2 cores, but gradually more games that can use 3 or 4 cores will come out.

The quad core Phenom 9750 is no match for the dual core Core i3-2130. See following link that compares the Phenom 9750 to the "slower" Core i3-2100.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/22?vs=289

If the Core i5-2320 is within your reach, then I would recommend you postpone your build until you can afford the additional $30 for the Core i5-2500k. It might take you a week, it might take a month, but in the end it will save you money since it can be overclocked rather easily (but you must buy a heatsink to keep the CPU cool) which typically means you can postpone your next upgrade rather than doing it sooner.

 

[k1114]

If you live near a microcenter, they sell the i5 2500k for $180.

 

[$hawn]

Please don't buy the i3....the i5 2320 is definitely the better processor, and is very much worth the money......even in d few games that use only 1 or 2 cores, the difference will be negligible as the i5 can easily turbo upto 3.3ghz.......many new games also use more than 2 cores, and this i5 is clearly superior and d most future proof

PS: Ur phenom = tra$h, sell it off

 

[tomskent]

If the Core i5-2320 is within your reach, then I would recommend you postpone your build until you can afford the additional $30 for the Core i5-2500k. It might take you a week, it might take a month, but in the end it will save you money since it can be overclocked rather easily (but you must buy a heatsink to keep the CPU cool) which typically means you can postpone your next upgrade rather than doing it sooner.

Exactly

 

[joeman99]

Exactly

agreed, the i3 is the readheaded stepchild of the core family, suitable only for showing that intel low end parts are better for gaming than even the best hexa-core from amd.

save for the 2500k. use it as is, it turbos up to 3.7 by default. when you need an upgrade, spend 60-70 on a noctua nh-d14 heatsink and take that bitch to 4.6

when even MORE years have passed if you want another cpu upgrade, up the voltage on that bad boy to 1.5, screw the longevity and take it past 5 G's.

I'd say that's as future proof as you're gonna get, and on a budget too!

 

[tomskent]

You are not really going to notice a bump from 4.6 to 5 ghz, especially 4-5 years down the road with the latest cpu architecture/applications .
Id rather keep my 2500k @ 4.6ghz forever

 

[olympias72]

Best answer selected by olympias72.