Cpu + gpu dilemma

[aserate]

Hi guys. I'm having a hard time selecting the cpu + gpu 'cos the budget is kinda tight.
My question here is would it be better if I go with i3-2120 + higher-value-card VS. i5-2400 + not-so-expensive-card VS. i5-2500 + some-card? ...

Approximate Purchase Date: (few months after maybe)

Budget Range: (for the cpu and gpu, about $350)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Gaming, multimedia... more on gaming though)

Parts Not Required: (I only need that two 'cos I already decided on the other parts)

Country: (Philippines)

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (AMD or Intel, any for the card)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: (1680x1050, 1920x1080)

 

[gary1]

Hi guys. I'm having a hard time selecting the cpu + gpu 'cos the budget is kinda tight.
My question here is would it be better if I go with i3-2120 + higher-value-card VS. i5-2400 + not-so-expensive-card

Approximate Purchase Date: (few months after maybe)

Budget Range: (for the cpu and gpu, about $350)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Gaming, multimedia... more on gaming though)

Parts Not Required: (I only need that two 'cos I already decided on the other parts)

Country: (Philippines)

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (AMD or Intel, any for the card)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: (1680x1050, 1920x1080)

i3-2120 + 7850. Bam.

 

[aserate]

another opinion? (not that i'm not considering yours gary1 hehe)

 

[Tavo_Nova]

I3 2100 + 7870. this is what I call bam.

then upgrade to sandy bridge i5/i7 in the next few years or something since after ivy it's supposed to be the end of 1155 (not sure about this)

and your 7870 should last you quite a lot as most peoples 460/480 did last them long

 

[aserate]

how much is 7870 again? how is i5-2400 + some-card not better than that?

 

[smorizio]

if you can still find them the 6870 it last year 7870 that was replaced.

 

[aserate]

and i3-2120 costs about $130 + the $250 7850, won't fit my budget ($350)

 

[gary1]

I3 2100 + 7870. this is what I call bam.

then upgrade to sandy bridge i5/i7 in the next few years or something since after ivy it's supposed to be the end of 1155 (not sure about this)

and your 7870 should last you quite a lot as most peoples 460/480 did last them long

Too bad his budget is 350$, and the 7870 is 350..

I3-2120 for like 110 and 7850 for 250$ is the best combo imo.

The 2120 goes on sale for 15-20 off all the time, you just have to wait.

 

[aserate]

I guess I'll just have to wait the other GTX 6 series come out. Maybe the prices will go down. But I have definitely decided on my cpu. i3-2120. Thanks!

 

[kcsmacker]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150573

340 after MIR. If your motherboard has SLI/Crossfire you can get another card later. Having the i5 gives you ocing. if you want to wait the new Ivy Bridge i5 is ganna be $225. Should be close to budget still.

 

[aserate]

as i've stated. I do not overclock. Cos if I will buy the K series, I will be forced to buy a a P67 or the likes, which is WAY MORE expensive than the H61/H67...

so my choices are i3-2120/i5-2400/i5-2500, or the x4 IF it's worth it...

 

[Rockdpm]

Wait What....?, if you get K series you must get P67/Z68/Z77?, Not necessarily. but if you not going to overclock, you don't need a K Processor. I heard from a friend that the Lowest end Keplers like the GT 640 is to be performance around a 550 ti and not require external power. the GTX 650 is gonna be Priced around a 550 ti but perform at 560 ti level. May be just work wating for the 600 series to fully mature. Also if Ivy has a Dual core or Low end Quad core (which it does i have seen release charts) it may just be worth waiting to get a Low end Ivy board and the works

 

[aserate]

Best answer selected by aserate.

 

[aserate]

ohh I thought it's required to have those boards to use the i5-2500k. But what if I won't overclock at all, is 2500k still worth it?

 

[Rockdpm]

2500 K is a good processor but its the same as a 2500, the only difference is Intel has unlocked it to make it overclock better. You can overclock any non k processor. the only difference between them and the K, is the K overclocks better.

 

[Rockdpm]

So save about 20-40 bucks for the difference?, yes the 2500 is a better option than its K brother. Now don' be crapping be just to overclock later and then come back and say it didn't do what you wanted...... But since you won't be overclocking... 2500 is a best answer

 

[aserate]

Understood. Thanks!