Going to build a pc, the common question - i7 vs i5!

Hi there,

I'm about to build a new desktop pc. I have just started a mechanical university course at uni and my poor old laptop is giving up ! It can't run all the programs that I need it to! Anyway, I'm going to build a new pc, I have a rather low budget, but I can afford either the i5 or the i7. However, if the i7 is pointless, I'd much rather not spend the money! So, I want the pc to be future proof, I mean very future proof! What do you think will be the first part of my system to cause the bottleneck? I am not a gamer, and will not game. Therefore, I am starting with integrated graphics, I will probably get a cheap gpu later but that is irrelevant. I run CAD programs and as I run several VMs at once. It is not unusual for me to want to run three virtual machines at once! I am a fairly heavy multitasker, I will be running things like 20 chrome tabs, text editors, multiple publisher files open at once (big ones that aren't far off 1 gb each). The VMs and other bits and bobs like skype etc. So, will an i5 be alright for me or should I go for an i7?

This won't be built for a bit but i am thinking along the lines of this:

Mobo: Asus p8z77 -v
SSD: (probably crucial m4)
RAM: 16GB (probably kingston hyperx)

I am wondering, what do you think will be the first part of my system to cause the bottleneck?

Hope someone can help!

All the best,

Music

The difference between the two is £75 (~$120) do you think it is worth it? Don't forget that parts are much more expensive in the uk than they are in the us!

First off, there is no "future proofing" a pc, that terminology simply doesn't apply. I am guessing you mean you want a computer that will run what you need for several years, which is possible.

I normally recommend the i5-3570K to people, but in your case, I would go for the i7. You would actually be able to use hyperthreading with what you said you will need to do, so the i7 is what I would go with. If you don't care anything about overclocking, the i7-3770 is $299 right now at Newegg. Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770

That motherboard is fine, and I would go with 16GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM....can get a kit for less than $100. I personally believe Corsair makes some of the most dependable RAM there is, but I'm sure you could go with another maker if you want. For your build, you will need quite a bit of RAM, and it is rather cheap these days. I would look into this kit...... Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9

As for the SSD, there are plenty of good models out there. Samsung, Plextor, Corsair, OCZ, and Crucial. I have always recommended Samsung SSD's first, because they are great drives and everybody that has one is very happy with it. You can get the 256gb model for $169 at Newegg right now, and that model gives you the best balance of reliability and performance for the money in my opinion. Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Anything you build with those components as a backbone will likely last you for years. As far as the GPU, you'd be surprised at how powerful the HD4000 graphics are that come with the Ivy Bridge CPU's! You might find you won't need a GPU for quite awhile, if at all.

Keep us updated with your progress and if you have anymore build questions, feel free to ask! I'd rather answer a question before someone buys a part, than find a workaround to a problem if they buy the wrong part.

Kelly

Thank you very much! I had heard about the good graphics on the IB chips, i was hoping they would be enough, the only reason I would get a gpu is to probably accomodate three screens comfortably, possibly a fourth vga side screen. But I am starting with one decent screen first, plus an old side one. As for the RAM, SSD etc. I will sort these nearer the time. The thing is, the kingston RAM is £20 cheaper than the corsair RAM. And I've never heard any problems with it, still something to be sorted later! Thanks again, all the best.

Music

Thanks, I think that sells me on the i7. I think I will oc but not until a several years time when I start noticing performance drops.

As for case and psu. Although it may not sound like it, I do frequently help people build computers! Erm, the case, I will be building myself. As for gpus, they will only be there to power the multiple screens but I won't require high end ones. I'm sure a good quality modular 750 psu will be absolutely fine. I could probably get away with a 450w one but a psu is something that if you look after can keep going IMO. If I decide to not build a case, I'll get something like a CM 690 ii or similar, I have yet to decide! Anyway, thanks for the help everyone!