CPU Showdown

[Stoiseblas]

Which intel core i5 or i7 would be best in a gaming/video editing rig and why?  And since I am relatively new to picking CPUs it would be awesome if you listed as many specific reasons/specs that influence your decision as you can (I only know a bit of the terminology used in spec listings).

[Enderman]

how much money do you want to spend

[Oshino Shinobu]

It would depend on your budget. No point in us saying that a $800 CPU would be best if you only want to spend $250

[Godlygamer23]

Well, the best CPU for gaming would be something like a 4690(K) because it's the current sweet spot. Most games don't utilize more than four threads as of this time and spending nearly an extra 100USD on a 4790(K) for gaming exclusively wouldn't be worth it. However if you're doing things like video editing and Photoshopping, the extra ~100USD becomes more worth it. Your budget is also an important aspect to consider.

[daniellearmouth]

Video editing...what scale of video editing? Just a basic Frankenstein job, or some serious stuff?

 

If the Frankenstein thing, then you won't realistically need more than an i5. However, more than likely it's possible you'll benefit from an i7 on the basis that it has hyperthreading to keep the work flow going, and the fact they start from four cores and go up to eight, making them pretty much perfect.

 

But...what's your budget? That's the key thing. Can you afford more than an i5 4690K and plunge for the i7 4790K?

[Stoiseblas]

I'm going for around $300-$400 but I'd rather not spend $400

[Stoiseblas]

Video editing...what scale of video editing? Just a basic Frankenstein job, or some serious stuff?

 

If the Frankenstein thing, then you won't realistically need more than an i5. However, more than likely it's possible you'll benefit from an i7 on the basis that it has hyperthreading to keep the work flow going, and the fact they start from four cores and go up to eight, making them pretty much perfect.

 

But...what's your budget? That's the key thing. Can you afford more than an i5 4690K and plunge for the i7 4790K?

I'm mostly planning ahead because video editing sounds interesting so I want something that would allow me to get into mid ranged editing.  Nothing too serious but not Frankenstein.  And I'm thinking $300-$400 but I'd rather not  spend $400.

[daniellearmouth]

I'm going for around $300-$400 but I'd rather not spend $400

 

A quick Google search showed up with the i7 4790K on Newegg for $339.99, with the i5 4690K showing up as $239.99.

Prices will vary according to the vendor, of course; this is just Newegg.

 

Pick your poison, I guess.

[Stoiseblas]

A quick Google search showed up with the i7 4790K on Newegg for $339.99, with the i5 4690K showing up as $239.99.

Prices will vary according to the vendor, of course; this is just Newegg.

 

Pick your poison, I guess.

But is it worth taking a look at the 5th generation?  Or can I get everything I need from a 4th generation and for a lower price?  (and I'm predicting that I'm going to have a hard time picking between all the different versions of the 4th gen i5 and i7 as I did while looking at the 5th generations) (Is there even a substantial difference between two CPUs when their name is the same except for the last 3 numbers?) 

[Sir Asvald]

Which intel core i5 or i7 would be best in a gaming/video editing rig and why?  And since I am relatively new to picking CPUs it would be awesome if you listed as many specific reasons/specs that influence your decision as you can (I only know a bit of the terminology used in spec listings).

I would suggest you go with a Xeon 1231 v3. Costs the same as the the i5, but the performance is equal to an i7

 

 

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($26.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.95 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card  ($334.99 @ B&H) 

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($62.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $1160.75

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-09 21:11 EDT-0400

[Stoiseblas]

how much money do you want to spend

 

 

It would depend on your budget. No point in us saying that a $800 CPU would be best if you only want to spend $250

 

 

Well, the best CPU for gaming would be something like a 4690(K) because it's the current sweet spot. Most games don't utilize more than four threads as of this time and spending nearly an extra 100USD on a 4790(K) for gaming exclusively wouldn't be worth it. However if you're doing things like video editing and Photoshopping, the extra ~100USD becomes more worth it. Your budget is also an important aspect to consider.

I'm going for around $300-$400 but I'd really rather not spend $400

[Enderman]

I'm going for around $300-$400 but I'd really rather not spend $400

xeon e3 1231v3

price of the i5 but hyperthreaded like the i7

just no integrated graphics or unlocked overclocking

[ApolloX75]

But is it worth taking a look at the 5th generation?  Or can I get everything I need from a 4th generation and for a lower price?  (and I'm predicting that I'm going to have a hard time picking between all the different versions of the 4th gen i5 and i7 as I did while looking at the 5th generations) (Is there even a substantial difference between two CPUs when their name is the same except for the last 3 numbers?) 

No. Stick to Haswell/Devil's Canyon. Broadwell isn't worth it.