I5 3570k or i7 3770k

[hxcheyo]

Hey all,

I'm about to build my first computer and this is what my build looks like so far:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 612 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($128.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Mushkin Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($46.98 @ Outlet PC)
Hard Drive: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($93.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB Video Card ($407.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($88.74 @ Mwave)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($52.99 @ Newegg)

Heavy gaming, decent sized monitor (haven't decided on what yet), at least 1080p. I'm not worried about a gpu bottleneck at all, but i am worried about my cpu (not so much bottlenecking, but i'm worried about the possibility of lag. I want NO lag on games like Skyrim BF3 or Rift at the highest settings).

I'd like to upgrade to the i7 3770k but it's $110 more expensive. Is this worth it or would i be throwing away money? Both are OC'able (due to the "k") and the stock clock on the i7 is slightly higher.

PS i won't be crossfiring or SLIing at all, ever. The GTX 670 is enough to handle 1 monitor.

 

[hxcheyo]

What if multithreading comes out in a game that i want to play within the next year or two? I won't be able to utilize it with the i5

 

[geofelt]

What if multithreading comes out in a game that i want to play within the next year or two? I won't be able to utilize it with the i5

I vote for the 3570K.

Most games today use only two or 3 cores. The extra hyperthreads of the 3770K will be largely unused in gaming.
A hyperthread uses residual cycles of the main core, so it is not really a full core. Perhaps something like a 1/4 or 1/3 of a core.
You should be able to OC a 3570K a bit higher, at least in theory. Game developers want the largest possible audience for their games. They will not sell many games that depend on 4+ cores.
It is also much more difficult to program a multi thread app than a more simple dual thread app.

I think on balance, the extra $100 involved would be more effectively spent on upping the GTX670 to a GTX680 instead.

 

[3570k]

3570k for sure. I only use my computer for gaming and the 3570k is going to last many more years, especially when it's OC tolerant. Can do 4.3 without breaking any sweat at all and many others go up to 4.5 on air. I think the big deal is, like others said, HT being the large difference between the 3570k and 3770k. So just ask yourself if you actually need the 4 additional logical cores. It would be nice for transcoding video but that's really the only thing I'd use the extra cores for, personally.

 

[hxcheyo]

Excellent replies, looks like i absolutely do not need the hyperthreading capabilities of the 3770k. I was worried the 3570k would lose performance value quickly as the technology overturned, but it sounds like i won't be having any problems for a while, which is good for me because i don't plan on replacing components for a while either.

I disagree on the graphics card note geofelt, the 670 FTW (which is what i'm getting) is 5% better performance-wise than an out-of-box 680 and $100 cheaper. The 680 can OC higher, but i don't need that as i've already got a beastly card and any OCing i do will be slight. Frankly i don't even know how the 680 sells.

 

[geofelt]

Excellent replies, looks like i absolutely do not need the hyperthreading capabilities of the 3770k. I was worried the 3570k would lose performance value quickly as the technology overturned, but it sounds like i won't be having any problems for a while, which is good for me because i don't plan on replacing components for a while either.

I disagree on the graphics card note geofelt, the 670 FTW (which is what i'm getting) is 5% better performance-wise than an out-of-box 680 and $100 cheaper. The 680 can OC higher, but i don't need that as i've already got a beastly card and any OCing i do will be slight. Frankly i don't even know how the 680 sells.

I have to agree that a GTX680 is not worth the extra $100 price premium over a GTX670.
It sells to an early adopter, like me because there was no GTX670 at the time. Or, to those who will buy factory overclocked cards like the EVGA FTW series.

Save the $100 for something else. Consider spending it on a great monitor. How about a 2560 x 1440 27" monitor?

Also, I noticed you specified 1866 speed ram. That is a very good price for it, but there does not seem to be any real advantage to ram speeds over 1600:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3

Whatever, you have a very nice build.

 

[hxcheyo]

Save the $100 for something else. Consider spending it on a great monitor. How about a 2560 x 1440 27" monitor?

Also, I noticed you specified 1866 speed ram. That is a very good price for it, but there does not seem to be any real advantage to ram speeds over 1600:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3

Whatever, you have a very nice build.

Thank you for saying that. I've spent the past 3 weeks refining this build as it's my first ever and i really want this computer to fly for the money i'm spending.

I'd love to spend that $100 on a monitor I've saved the monitor for last because i myself won't actually be buying it, i'll be selecting one and receiving it as a gift. So of all the computer hardware information i've crammed into my head over the past 3 weeks, none of it has anything to do with monitors. Any recommendations there? ($100-$200 price range). I've never seen anything above 1920x1080 to be honest, i didn't know you could do better than that...

I checked out your link, but i'm not sure i quite understand the drop off in marginal benefit as you go up in memory clock speeds. Bear with my ignorance and please elaborate on that further From what i did read, ivy bridge cpus are rated well at 1600mhz RAM clocks.