so im buying a new computer for sc2 and i want to get the i3 but if the i5 is THAT much better id save up and just buy that

i need to know for sc2 how much better then i3 i5 and i7 are compared to each other and im not so good with computers. also motherboard i dont know what ones best to get. the term "chip set" what chip set is best?

i read the guide i just dont understand some of it

nimbus99

Canada194 Posts

October 27 2010 21:57 GMT

im also intrested in this

BUMP

thehitman

1105 Posts

October 27 2010 22:07 GMT

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/143?vs=191
You can compare any CPU you wish, I would also look at the AMD Phenom II x4 955

xmShake

United States1100 Posts

October 27 2010 22:09 GMT

Post your graphics card and monitor resolution first. For the most part, i3 should be sufficient depending on which graphics level you intend to play. Some settings are more dependent on cpu rather than gpu (like physics) so take things like this into account.

Corvi

Germany1406 Posts

October 27 2010 22:12 GMT

the "for sc2" part makes the whole discussion absurd, as sc2 has very, very low system requirements. in general you should take an amd cpu (phenom ii x4 955 is a good idea) as for now they bringt the most fps per $, but in early 2011 the new intel processors will come (sandy bridge), so things might look different soon.

bokeevboke

Singapore1674 Posts

October 27 2010 22:13 GMT

Some mid-level processor should be ok.

You should be more concerned about video graphics and cooling. Heat is the major problem, since you will play a lot.

obiwong

Canada126 Posts

October 27 2010 22:15 GMT

Starcraft II is optimized for dual cores

On June 30 2010 21:33 Zarhym wrote:
Q. After the beta has commenced, how many CPU cores will StarCraft II be optimized for upon final release?
A. For launch, StarCraft II will be optimized for dual-core only. In the future we will definitely be looking into other optimizations to support additional cores, but do not have specific dates yet.

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=133320

the difference between i3, i5 and i7

The Core i3 500 series products are dual cores and they do have hyper-threading and support virtualization, but they do not have Turbo Boost. The performance of the Core i3 500 series products is roughly on par with the performance of the lower end Core 2 Quad products like the Q6600.

The Core i5 600 series products are dual cores which have hyperthreading, Turbo Boost, virtualization, and the AES instruction set. The performance of the Core i5 600 series processors is roughly on par with mid-range Core 2 Quads and high-end Phenom II processors.

The Core i5 700 series processors are quad core processors. They do not have hyperthreading but they do have Turbo Boost and they do support virtualization. Their performance is roughly on par or somewhat better than high end Core 2 Quad and Phenom II processors.

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/65861.aspx

"hyperthreading" is like virtual cores
so i3 has 2 physical cores and 0 virtual cores (2 cores total)
i5 has 2 physical cores and 2 virtual cores (4 cores total)
i7 has 4 physical cores and 4 virtual cores (8 cores total)
more cores are not necessarily better, as currently not many games a designed to take advantage of multiple cores (applications like CAD and video encoding are)

don't worry about what chipset is best
generally it won't make any difference to you. just pick a motherboard that supports the CPU that you want
chipset will just determine what RAM (DDR2, DDR3) or what socket CPU you'll have (LGA 775, LGA 1156, LGA 1366)

although i've been out of the loop for a while
i don't think much has changed in terms gaming and multiple cores, i've looked at benchmarks when the i7 stuff came out and 2 core vs 4 core makes almost no difference for the price you'd be paying
money is best spent on a graphics card, that will make the most difference for gaming

a couple of my friends have built AMD Phenom II systems for gaming, they're very good for gaming and cheap as well

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

October 27 2010 22:15 GMT

H55 and H57 is the low end chipset which has socket 1156 and have integrated graphics. These are meant for core i3 processors but you can throw an core i5 processor in it as well. It cannot run SLI or CrossfireX at all.

P55 is the mainstream chipset which has socket 1156 and are meant for core i5 / 1156 core i7 processors. It'll run SLI and CrossfireX at x8 x8. It doesn't have integrated graphics.

X58 is the high end chipset which has socket 1366 and are meant for 1366 core i7s (920, 950, etc). It'll run SLI and CrossfireX at full x16 bandwidth.

mmx

41 Posts

October 27 2010 22:29 GMT

On October 28 2010 07:07 thehitman wrote:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/143?vs=191
You can compare any CPU you wish, I would also look at the AMD Phenom II x4 955

is great if i knew what each thing meant

what is better for gaming?

so it seems the i5 is the best as it has hyperthreading and its a duel core no?

i read that review on the intel processors and it seems that the i5 750 is pretty solid but does that mean its going to REALLY outperform say an i3 540 for sc2 and other games?

the real question is it worth the $80 to upg to the i5 760

jimminy_kriket

Canada5522 Posts

October 27 2010 22:37 GMT

#10

you should really do more reading and understand this for yourself before you buy a new computer. You dont seem to be putting much effort in on your part.

lethal111

Canada460 Posts

October 27 2010 22:57 GMT

#11

try this thread
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-overclock,2772.html

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

October 27 2010 23:38 GMT

#12

On October 28 2010 07:29 mmx wrote:

Show nested quote +

- core i3 5 series are dual cores with hyperthreading but no turbo boost
- core i5 6 series are dual cores with hyperthreading
- core i5 7 series are quad cores with no hyperthreading

Yes, a core i5 750 will outperform a core i3 540 because of its higher cache size and turbo boost.

A core i5 760 is the exact same as a core i5 750 except that it has a higher multiplier.

zyglrox

United States1168 Posts

October 27 2010 23:51 GMT

#13

gaming still only maximizes dual cores right? correct me if i'm wrong, i've just been led to believe that for price value dual > quad for gaming. sorry for being slightly off topic just something i would like to be clear on.

IPS.ZeRo

Germany1142 Posts

October 28 2010 00:02 GMT

#14

For SC2 the i3 will perform very well, but in that price range the amd x3 or x4 are better.

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

October 28 2010 00:04 GMT

#15

On October 28 2010 08:51 zyglrox wrote:
gaming still only maximizes dual cores right? correct me if i'm wrong, i've just been led to believe that for price value dual > quad for gaming. sorry for being slightly off topic just something i would like to be clear on.

Most games being released today do utilize quad cores. If you can't spend $200 on a quad core than I wouldn't suggest buying or upgrading a new PC.

_KiM_

Canada498 Posts

October 28 2010 00:11 GMT

#16

right now, AMD ii X4 955 BE is the best bang for the buck processor... for that price, best value and very fast. get the quadcore and dont even think about an i3, quad core gaming will be here soon!

mmx

41 Posts

October 28 2010 02:46 GMT

#17

but if its a duel core with hyberthreading then doesnt that count AS a quad core?

i do wish to buy the best comp i can for now and a bit into the future and budget is 800

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

October 28 2010 02:49 GMT

#18

A physical core is always better than hyperthreading. It's been proven in benchmarks that hyperthreading can actually decrease performance in games and increase core temp.

With a $800 budget, it's best to get an AMD Phenom II X4 955 as previously suggested.

monx

Canada1400 Posts

October 28 2010 02:52 GMT

#19

depends on your budget. I got a core i5 and seriously it works like a charm with SC2. Fast loading times, smooth gameplay, fast when you alt tab too.

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

October 28 2010 03:08 GMT

#20

If you want to save money, get phenom x4 955. If you really want an intel, go for the i3. i5 will do nothing more than the i3 if you are using your computer for sc2. i7 is pretty much out of the question for gamers.