Unclear Numbers!

[Blawkbuilder]

I'm soon to be in the market to purchase an (Intel) processor for my first PC. I am aware that there are numerous factors that go into making this decision- but I don't quite get it. I want to go with a 4 core Intel i7, but additional details such as clock speed and those "other" specifications seem very strange. There are huge price differences for processors that seem very similar- a 3960x is nearly $1,000 while a 4770 is only about $300 (not that I am considering either of these). How do I make my decision?

[ShadowCaptain]

The first number is the generation, 4 being the latest!

 

The rest of the numbers are the model of the processor, the higher the better!!!

 

The K means it is an unlocked processor designed for overclocking, if it has a P that means it has no on board graphics S versions are enery efficient

 

i7 4790k is probably the one most of us would recommend, they i7 also has HT which is hyperthreading so its 4 cores, 8 threads

[Blawkbuilder]

The first number is the generation, 4 being the latest!

 

The rest of the numbers are the model of the processor, the higher the better!!!

 

The K means it is an unlocked processor designed for overclocking, if it has a P that means it has no on board graphics S versions are enery efficient

 

i7 4790k is probably the one most of us would recommend, they i7 also has HT which is hyperthreading so its 4 cores, 8 threads

Ahhhhh- now it all falls into place >.<

 

For now I'm not going to be doing too much over clocking (maybe in the future), but that really helps.

[LogicalDrm]

To add. You should also watch for socket when getting CPUs. The 3960x is Sandy Bridge E meaning that its LGA2011, not LGA1150 as 4770- and 4790-series.