I5-2500 vs i5-2500k

[dagnis]

Since I don't plan on doing much overclocking, maybe 20% on each core, so .1 ghz on each, would it be wise for me to just save my money and get the lower locked i5-2500 and just use the stock fan? I'll only OC when i think it will smooth out my frame rate on top end games like SC2. I'll be using a 560 ti 1gb for my video card.

 

[assassin123]

if you want to save money then the 2500 with a 560ti card will be a good choice

 

[svj0hn]

I wouldn't use the stock fan anyway. I used the stock fan on my 2500k for a while (without overclocking it, mind you), and it went up to nearly 80 C under load.

Now I have a corsair H80, which (when overclocked to 4.5 GHz from the usual 3.3) holds my temps below 60 at all times.


PS. If you're ever playing Skyrim, get a 2500k and overclock it. The game begs for CPU clock speeds.

 

[ojas]

I'd agree with assassin123.

Turbo Boost should see you reaching 3.7-3.8 GHz anyway. Maybe use a third party cooler like the hyper 212+ and you may see the Turbo clock speed held longer.

Besides, the CPU will only become a bottleneck if your GPU isn't one first.

Skyrim is a bit complicated...in the sense that, yes at 1080p, ultra settings, with a GTX 570, it's CPU bottlenecked.

However with a 560 Ti...idk. may be GPU bottlenecked first, though something tells me maybe not, as it's not supposed to be very GPU intensive.
But, in their performance review, they're comparing a 2500k locked to 3GHz with a 2500k locked to 4GHz.

No turbo boost from what i can see, so that may make a difference.

svj0hn, do u play skyrim?

Though if the OP doesn't want to OC, then that sort of settles the debate.
All i can say is, if you want to tap the potential of Turbo boost, get a third party cooler with some Arctic silver 5.

 

[geofelt]

Since I don't plan on doing much overclocking, maybe 20% on each core, so .1 ghz on each, would it be wise for me to just save my money and get the lower locked i5-2500 and just use the stock fan? I'll only OC when i think it will smooth out my frame rate on top end games like SC2. I'll be using a 560 ti 1gb for my video card.

The 2500 has very limited overclocking capabilities. Nowhere near 20%, perhaps 4% via bclk overclock.
Considering the small price premium for the 2500K, that is a no brainer.

You will need a Z68 or P67 based motherboard to let you OC.

 

[tokadub]

anyone who gets the 2500 instead of 2500k is silly. Get the 2500k unless you want to run on stock speeds only. No reason to do that since you can buy a 30 dollar Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus and get way more performance overclocking.