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

[Music Guy123]

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

 

[Maguscreed]

The issue to me used to be price, but it's come down to where the price isn't that much of a gap.
If it doesn't break your bank I would go with the i7.
If you are already pushing budget, I would go with the i5.
The performance gap between them won't be enormous so long as they are of generally the same i.e. 3ghz vs 3.2ghz.

 

[Music Guy123]

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!

 

[kbrady1979]

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

 

[Music Guy123]

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

 

[whs]

I own both - a system with i5 and one with i7. Both run the OS from SSDs. None are OCd.

I find the i7 to be faster and more effective. I notice the difference especially when I do complex video encoding - and I suppose any other CPU bound tasks like CAD will have the same effect.

But don't get me wrong. The i5 is a fine processor and the K model can be OCd - if you want to go into that.

 

[Layback Bear]

I am curious what your choices of power supply and case are. You are thinking of later installing a video or video's cards and more screens. Now would be the time to choose a tower and power supply to accommodate your possible upgrades. I suggest keep in mind that their/there is no such thing as to much room or cooling in a case. For sure more power supply of quality than what is needed is always my recommendation.

 

[Music Guy123]

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!

 

[whs]

A modular PSU is a good idea. I hate all those wires hanging around.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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!

Hiyya MG I have a build on the boil at this very moment with that board and I am going i5 3570K as I don't see the need for the i7 it being $100 more. The PSU I was going for the Corsair HX 650 but then got the chance of the HX 1050 at $100 off, But the HX 650 750 and 850 are all very nice units mate - well any of the Corsair stuff really.

I am trying to figure out the RAM at the moment and kbrady has gened me up on that so I am going the Corsair Vengeance Black CMZ16GX3M4X1866C9 @ $120.

 

[kbrady1979]

I really like the Corsair AX series that come with the black on black modular cables.....they look absolutely awesome. They are pricey, but if you are a stickler for how things look, it don't get much better than that! This is a really good one.... Newegg.com - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Look at the pictures and you'll see the black wiring with the sleeving that is oh so nice.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum yes very nice Kelly but this is the one I was going to buy Corsair HX-650 V2 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply [CMPSU-650HXv2] - $149.00 : PC Case Gear

the pic is the one I got. But it really does depend on MG's budget mate as he said the prices in the US are way under what we get in Oz and the UK - as my brother in the UK will attest to. Thats why I recently built and shipped him a new machine.

zoh zMG if you can afford the case in the pic it is huge and for future proofing mate well there is no such thing just take a look at some of the X79 and Intel 2011 stuff on Youtube

 

[kbrady1979]

I was just showing what was available. Any Corsair, Seasonic, Antec 80+ Bronze or better will do the trick. I will never go back to a non-modular power supply though, they are just that nice.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I was just showing what was available. Any Corsair, Seasonic, Antec 80+ Bronze or better will do the trick. I will never go back to a non-modular power supply though, they are just that nice.

Absolutely Kelly wasn't criticising mate it's just hard for getting good pricing out side the US

Just as a matter of interest though that Corsair and I think Seasonic don't make the innards in their devices anymore but have some sort of quality control over what is made for them Can't remember who does it now but I read that the other day.

 

[kbrady1979]

I was just showing what was available. Any Corsair, Seasonic, Antec 80+ Bronze or better will do the trick. I will never go back to a non-modular power supply though, they are just that nice.

Absolutely Kelly wasn't criticising mate it's just hard for getting good pricing out side the US

Just as a matter of interest though that Corsair and I think Seasonic don't make the innards in their devices anymore but have some sort of quality control over what is made for them Can't remember who does it now but I read that the other day.

As far as I know, Seasonic is the actual manufacturer of not only their own power supplies, but also several other brands....notably Corsair. I'm sure they outsource some of the internal components, but it is Seasonic that builds them. The Seasonic X Gold series is damn near identical to the Corsair AX series, and those are probably the best valued high-end power supplies on the market. Although any of the CX/TX/HX Corsair's are damn good power supplies.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yeah I know they make them but the guts of the devices - the circuit boards and components - are made by some company that Seasonic would not disclose the name of - I read that in a ZDnet newsletter or anyway one of the newsletters I get.

But in any case like you said I would not use anything else myself other than Corsair.

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/psu_manufacturers

This is the company I think was referred to
http://www.cwt.com.tw/Product/enus/Product_PC_FirstShow.aspx?Series=PC Power Supply

 

[Layback Bear]

I picked my Corsair AX-850 because it was make by Seasonic. Modular all the way for me also. What a neat clean job when you get done installing everything.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep I probably would have waited Bear and got an AX but the price of HX 1050 was just too good to miss and hey there is a ton of modular sockets on it and the HAF XM will hide the other stuff up with that slide and the huge area inside the back panel.

 

[Music Guy123]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies everyone! For psu, i have always liked corsair as a brand (I'm also interested in their force gt) and I have heard a lot of good things about seasonic. I think I will get the 650w psu (HX). I did a psu calculator and got 511w, but this was 100% loads, with an oc. And a gpu etc. Do you think I will be alright with an hx550? Or would it not be worth risking it?

I couldn't see the case in your pic clearly, I'm on my phone at the moment! Am I right in saying it's a haf x?? If so, yes, I do love those cases but am likely to be building my own. I currently have an old desktop from which I will be salvaging parts, I'm going to build a case using the haf x for dimensions and will be checking it's functionality with this old desktop. Thanks again for the help everyone!

Music

Edit, now i am on a laptop, I can see that your case is the XM not the X! I'll be designing my case along the lines of the haf -x for the backplate/mobo plate because that way I can get the most compatibility and upgrade room.

 

[Music Guy123]

In fact, may as well ask this question here. I'm intending on building my pc case out of wood. Now, there are advantages and disadvantages, my main one is EMI/RF signals. Now, would i need to shield the case or should I just not worry about it and leave it? Also, how does one ground everything, would running earth wires from the mobo standoffs and the HDD casings to the psu case work? Thanks for the help so far everyone!

All the best,

Music