I7-3990k or i5-3570K

[jimmy_dog]

I plan on gaming with this processor. the 3930k is over $300 more but how much of a difference will it make for gaming? What will a 3930k make a difference in if it doesn't help for gaming?

 

[cboyd]

I don't believe it will make much of a difference as games normally only use 4 cores max. The clock speed is also almost the same, which really doesn't matter if you plan to overclock. A 3570k should be all you would need as far as gaming CPU's go, and you should Spend the extra $300 on extra RAM or a graphics card.

 

[jimmy_dog]

Ok then. I already have a Zotal 670 AMP! and 16 gb of ram, so theres not that much room for improvement. I'll just get the i5 then.

 

[Meyithi]

X79 isn't really a gaming platform, it's more of a "home workstation" platform used for editing/number crunching and/or extreme multitasking.

For gaming, it won't make any difference at all, I game on my system but I do other stuff as well such as compiling stuff on my Linux partitions.

 

[nikorr]

Unless u wanna use 3 or 4 GPU's, get 3570K, overclock it and enjoy it.

 

[jimmy_dog]

how far could i ooverclock it? I am getting a cooler master v6 gt cooler and that can do like 80 cfm

 

[nikorr]

4.6GHz should be possible, but it also depends on your mobo and the case : )

 

[cboyd]

You should be able to get to 4.2-4.6Gz range. Just be sure to watch your temps, as Ivy Bridge has a problem about heating up a lot when OC'ing.

 

[nikorr]

And good thermal paste shave off few degrees from there too.

 

[nikorr]

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM <- This one is great.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

 

[jimmy_dog]

Best answer selected by jimmy_dog.