So i need to upgrade my cpu i play battlefield 3 alot and on my dual core i have lag spikes or wahtever there called these days so i was wondering if i should go with an i3 or a i5 ive been told bf3 need 4 cores so run really well.
i know the i3 has hyperthreading so it has 4 cores with that work without that annoying spike or does it have to be 4 cores without hyperthreading?
Cpu G860
What CPU do you have now?
pentium g860
From what i understand An i3 does not have 4 cores. Windows just recognizes the 2 hyperthreads as physical cores, Which they are not. They do not have the same performance level as an actual core.
The i3 does not have four physical cores, do not let the fanboys decieve you. Anyway, the i3 is a veritable running leap into the future in terms of dual-core performace, especially since they are "relatively" inexpensive and happen to be hyperthreaded and also happen to share some of the strongest CPU cores on the planet. Those things are really powerful in per-core performance. Now, mind you, the i3 lineup has not one overclockable card. You'd have to go with the i5 3570k for that, and then you have four physical cores, but they lopped off hyperthreading so they could wring more money out of you for an i7. Also, if you are having lag spikes, it is probably not due to your CPU, it is probably either your graphics card or your motherboard. Because a Pentium, while not good, is not horrible as long as you have a halfway not trash motherboard and a decent graphics card. So when you post more info we can help you more. Because right now it looks like you are running off integrated graphics, which is unacceptable.
Oh I miss read it I thought you said the GPU was a g860.
anyway like mad hatter said the i3 has 2 cores that are hyper threaded so you will get better performance out of the i5.
the i5 is the way to go, the i3 is crap for games like BF3.
the i3 has only 2 cores with HT so 2 real cores, the HT core dont have the same performance as a real core only about 12 procent of it or so..
for BF3 you realy need 4 real cores.. so go the i5.. (if you want intel)
The i3 would actually play BF3 just fine if you are looking for a relatively cheap upgrade unless you're willing to cash out $220, get i5. I more or less recommend i3 as we don't know what system you are using. I'm assuming it is somewhat out-of-date since you mentioned your processor is Pentium g860. If your system is a beast other than processor, i5 all the way, otherwise, go i3. You want a balance in things when it comes to system, it's just odd to have an overpowering CPU in a so-so body (rig).
I agree with Novasty.
If you are looking for a full system upgrade and have enough funds, go for i5 / FX-8350 with a matching graphic card.
(Or else your current graphic card will bottelneck your new CPU, may it be i3)
Gonna be that guy and suggest an 8350 or a 6300... They have great value for gaming.
Not sure if you're reusing a Mobo, though, in which case I'd go with the 3570k allll day.