Upgrading, need advice 4570 or 3550?

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1

I've been gradually upgrading parts of my PC for a while now and it's come to the part for a completely new architecture. (CPU/mobo/RAM)

Specs:

  • CPU: Phenom X3 8650
  • Motherboard: Biostar MCP6PB M2+
  • RAM: 4GB DDR2
  • Graphics Card: GTS 450
  • Power Supply: Seasonic MII12 520W
  1. I plan to keep my GPU and power supply until I can get my hands on a better GPU in the future.
  2. I won't go SLI/Crossfire.
  3. I'll use this mainly just for gaming.

Some of the parts I'm currently looking at right now.

Intel 4570 / 3550

  • http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Fatal1ty%20H87%20Performance/
  • http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z87%20Pro3/ (cheaper)

Is the 3550 really more power efficient than the 4570?

Will the little overclocking overhead of the 3550 make a difference?

I've seen a number of benchmarks between the 4670k stock to OC and there doesn't seem to be any performance difference between the two in gaming. That's why I wanted to go with a non-OC processor.

As much as I'd like to go with an unlocked processor I haven't seen any gaming benchmarks out there that convince me that there's a huge speed boost when overclocking. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

2

Overclocking can help boost your minimum gaming frame rates, but generally it does little for gaming, and more for productivity.

So in short, you do not need a K edition processor.

Buy whatever meets your needs. 

If you do happen to purchase a suitable overclocking platform (motherboard chipset), I would probably advise spending the little extra to get the K edition. It's only a small price difference between the 4670 and 4670K.

3

Also, I believe you are trying to compare an Ivybridge processor 3rd generation processor (3550) with a Haswell 4th generation i5.

I wouldn't buy the 3550 on it's efficiency merit, because Haswell happens to be the much more power efficient platform. This negates the power efficiency argument.

It was made with the intention of targetting the mobile platform, reducing power consumption on laptops, and they transferred much of that tech over to desktops. This is not seen in the 3rd generation of core processors.

Any i5 will make a good gaming CPU. Especially if you only plan to use a single GPU, the lower clock speeds shouldn't hold you back. 

4

Thanks for your feedback man, yes I was comparing it. Seems like Haswell is really the way to go.

Others have been telling me to go with an unlocked processor but yeah I also believe that the i5 has enough juice for modern games :D

Any input on my motherboard choces above?

I really appreciate it! 

5

if you're not going to buy an unlocked processor there's really no reason to buy a z87 motherboard

6

Thanks, I think I'll go with the H87 board then.

Thoughts on this ram?

http://www.kingston.com/en/memory/hyperx/genesis/

Genesis - 8GB Module - DDR3 1600MHz CL9 DIMM

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Btw, I can't remember but I think I read from somewhere that I can use the iGPU with my discrete GPU for gaming in a sort of hybrid sli/xfire? is that true or am I just dreaming lol

8

Hi guys any idea if this memory http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=BLE2KIT4G3D1608DE1TX0 will fit with my Hyper 212?