Best performace for price gaming CPU

[nikhilmitta]

Hello

I am looking to buy a CPU for some mid-level gaming. I am on a budget but am flexible, so price is an issue.
I have been thinking about the Core i5 3450 ( or 3470) as someone told me this is the best CPU for gaming considering the performance to price ratio.
A lot of others have recommended the Core i5 3570K, but it is significantly more expensive while not offering as much performance increase (I read somewhere in the forums).

I will not be overclocking the CPU so I don't need an unlocked multiplier.
I will be sourcing the CPU from Micro Center, so you may want to see the prices there and not newegg.

Please recommend....

 

[jay_nar2012]

If you aren't overclocking then the i5 3450 would be fine for gaming, you could also get AMD's Piledriver which have a good performance: price.

 

[bambinobomber]

i5 3330 or i5 3450 depending on the price you can get them. The difference in gaming should be null but I've managed to get i5 3330s for much less than the i5 3450, so I'd say it's worth looking around for good offers.

 

[fil1p]

I would say that if you are gaming the best value would be a i5-2500k, or the i5-3570k (as you don't plan on overclocking then go with the non K versions). Although it is easy to overclock an i5-2500k, and yields great performance while not requiring liquid cooling to reach some nice overclocks.

The i5-3570k is a nice processor, but the i5-2500k is also a very nice processor.
For $159 the i5-2500k is a great deal. The i5-3570k has a bit better performance but not by much. However microcenter now has it for just $10 more than the i5 2500k, so I would go with the i5-3570k.
http://microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor

Hope this helps!

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Realistically any of the Intel® Core™ i5s are going to be good processors for gaming they just seem to get over shadowed by what the Intel Core i5-2500K and the Intel Core i5-3570K. You can get some great pricing at Microcenter if you have one near you but if you don't there are some other places that you can get some good pricing.

 

[gamerk316]

http://techreport.com/review/23750/amd-fx-8350-processor-reviewed/14

 

[nikhilmitta]

Thank you for your inputs, but I am still confused and haven't made up my mind.
From the graph, it looks like the 3470 is what I want, assuming I read it correctly.

 

[fil1p]

Yep, the 3470 is probably the best bang for the buck.

 

[nikhilmitta]

Thank you.
Can someone similarly recommend a motherboard with the best performance to price ratio?
I will not be overclocking or using SLI/Xfire. Will be using the stock cooling fan mostly (assuming a fan comes with the CPU).
Or should I take this to the motherboards section?

Thanks

 

[InvalidError]

Can someone similarly recommend a motherboard with the best performance to price ratio?
I will not be overclocking or using SLI/Xfire.

Aim for something with either the H77 chipset or B75 chipset. H77 has everything the Z77 has except CFX/SLI and overclock support while the B75 lacks a few performance options like 2nd SATA port, RST, raid, etc.

When I rebuilt my PC, I used an i5-3470 with Asus P8H77-M/CSM motherboard. Never used expansion slots other than x16 on my P5K, so no point in paying $20 extra for a full-size board.

 

[nikhilmitta]

I rather like the option of having 'switchable' graphics where I can save a lot of power.
I believe the H77 does not have this option...
I am thinking of something based on Z77 solely for this reason.

 

[blacknemesist]

I would go for the i5-3470 with an asus mb with sli capabilities.You may not need it know but in a few months you can get another cheap GPU equal to whatever you have so the extra bucks spent will be bucks earned.
Personnaly I buy mid-high hardware because although it costs a bit more,it allows for further small upgrades making your system last 1-2 years more than a low-mid setup.Thats why a mobo with sli could serve you best.
I would not overlook OCing the CPU if I were you,you can turn a i5-3570k into a most valuable CPU after OCing it.
In terms of gaming the GPU is way more important so if you are changing the GPU in the next months then save on the CPU and mobo and invest on the GPU.Although a balanced system works best as you wont use it sololy for gaming right?

EDIT : ASrock z77 extreme 4 , support 2 way sli , very OCable and reliable

 

[nikhilmitta]

Just to make it clear, I have the HD 5770 and will look to upgrade in the future. I would use only ATI cards as over the years I have observed that they are better than nVidia in terms of performance to price ratio and also in power consumption.
I am of the opinion that Xfire would not boost the FPS much and consumes twice the power of a single card. If adding a similar card would double performance, I would consider it but right now I think SLI/Xfire is a highly inefficient way of improving FPS.

 

[Novulux]

Considering Microcenter has a $40 off mobo bundle with the i5-3570k, you may be better off with it.

 

[nikhilmitta]

I can't find that.
Can you please post a link?
Thanks.

 

[Azteck]

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/4f27a268#/4f27a268/28

 

[nikhilmitta]

Page 30 of the pdf indicates three motherboards that are up for the combo deal. But they don't mention which CPUs I need to take. Can anyone clarify?

 

[Novulux]

Page 30 of the pdf indicates three motherboards that are up for the combo deal. But they don't mention which CPUs I need to take. Can anyone clarify?

Every single Z77 motherboard is $40 off, with the purchase of an i3-3225, i5-3570k, or i7-3770k.

 

[nikhilmitta]

Thanks, but where does it say that it applies only to those 3 CPUs?

 

[InvalidError]

I rather like the option of having 'switchable' graphics where I can save a lot of power.
I believe the H77 does not have this option...
I am thinking of something based on Z77 solely for this reason.

All 3rd-gen chipsets support VirtuMVP. The only difference between a board that supports it and one that doesn't is whether or not the motherboard manufacturer paid the license for that particular model.

 

[nikhilmitta]

Ok, so how do I find out whether they paid the fee? Surely every mobo manufacturer must have paid it.

 

[InvalidError]

If VirtuMVP is enabled on the board, it will have a logo stating it.

As you said, the bulk of retail boards from the more popular brands indeed do have it.

 

[nikhilmitta]

Every single Z77 motherboard is $40 off, with the purchase of an i3-3225, i5-3570k, or i7-3770k.

Can someone post proof where it is mentioned that I have to specifically buy one of those 3 CPUs if I want the combo deal?

 

[Novulux]

Can someone post proof where it is mentioned that I have to specifically buy one of those 3 CPUs if I want the combo deal?

Azteck already posted the link http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/4f27a268#/4f27a268/28

It says: Extra $40 OFF. $40 Additional Bundle Savings:
ANY COMPATIBLE MOTHERBOARD MUST BE PURCHASED WITH AN INTEL CORE i3-3225, i5-3570k, i7-3770k PROCESSOR.


If you can not find it, here's a screenshot:

 

[nikhilmitta]

Sorry.
My eyes did't see that 'hidden' among the other parts.
But why are they giving $55 off on Gigabyte mobo they mentioned towards the right?

EDIT: Probably a MAIL-in-Rebate included.