i5-3330S vs i5-2500 - Looking for opinions

[anthony8989]

I've got a second machine built up with everything except the processor. It's come down to these two: i5-3330s OEM unused for $120.00 vs . i5-2500 lightly used with fan and heat sink for $145. I know all the technical specifications of both processors. I know the 3330s is ''energy saving'' and OEM means no fan/heat sink which is fine. I'd just like your opinions on which you think is a better deal.

PC specs will be :

GeForce GTX 660 factory OC'd
Gigabyte GA-Z77-HD4
Corsair 650 watt PSU
Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 (2 x 4GB)

 

[jnewegger23]

If you know that the 2500 is in good shape that is clearly the better performing chip but you are paying more so the $ value goes to the 3330s. For me, I lean towards performance as you can get that $25 back somewhere in life but your stuck with the chip you buy. However, that's just me. The 3330s benchmarks in the 5000s according to passmark and the 2500 benchmarks in the 6000s. When you calculate benchmark score/$ the 3330s comes out on top 47 vs 42 performance to dollar ratio. So it's a slight value edge to the 3330s. Money aside, the 2500 performs 10% better. So if all you care about is performance you know which to pick but if you want the best $ value the numbers speak for themselves. I know people with 2500 that wish they bought i7's but it never ends so it's all up to you. Hope this helps! Have fun!

Thanks,

Justin S.

 

[anthony8989]

If you know that the 2500 is in good shape that is clearly the better performing chip but you are paying more so the $ value goes to the 3330s. For me, I lean towards performance as you can get that $25 back somewhere in life but your stuck with the chip you buy. However, that's just me. The 3330s benchmarks in the 5000s according to passmark and the 2500 benchmarks in the 6000s. When you calculate benchmark score/$ the 3330s comes out on top 47 vs 42 performance to dollar ratio. So it's a slight value edge to the 3330s. Money aside, the 2500 performs 10% better. So if all you care about is performance you know which to pick but if you want the best $ value the numbers speak for themselves. I know people with 2500 that wish they bought i7's but it never ends so it's all up to you. Hope this helps! Have fun!

Thanks,

Justin S.

Wow really good point, Justin. When you put it that way the $25 seems so temporary and the 10% performance boost is so much more permanent. The guy says the 2500 was used in a backup media server that he recently replaced to NAS and is guarantying it against DOA. If the chip looks to be in good order I'll go for it. Thanks for putting it into perspective for me.

 

[jnewegger23]

Awesome! Glad I could help. Great minds think alike right? j/k kinda! Anyhow, maybe just ask the seller how close to $120 he could go. Worst is you'll pay what you're willing to; best case he folds a little for ya! Best of luck with that! Have fun!