Is Intels i5-3570k worth it?

[DistortionGamer]

Hello, new to the forums and I have a question:

I'm considering upgrading my computer which is currently running with 8Gb of RAM, the GPU is a Radeon HD 6870 XFX, but my processor is an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.50GHz, which I plan to replace with an i5-3570k.
I was wondering if the performance boost will justify 220 euros (+150 euros for the mobo I'll have to buy, currently I chose the AsRock Extreme 4, any other recommendations would be appreciated along the same price range).

 

[BrightCandle]

In what activities is your value measured?

For video encodong you are probably looking at 100% performance improvement.

In gaming likely not a lot.

 

[ShintaiDK]

The Asrock Extrame4 is a good choice.

In terms of performance. It depends alot on what.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/89?vs=701

The more CPU heavy games and apps the bigger the difference. I had a good change from an i7 860 to i5 3570K. That was sure noticeable.

 

[tweakboy]

Its a good value CPU.. gl

 

[DistortionGamer]

It's for gaming mainly.

 

[2is]

I'd say its worth it. The Q8300 is on of Intels weakest quads, you'd see a nice gain in gaming performance with the 3570k

 

[Denithor]

A few things to consider:

-The Q8300 is definitely one of Intel's weaker quads, especially if not overclocked (low speed, small cache, just not a stellar chip).
-The 6870 is not a superstar by today's standards, putting an i5 3570k behind it is going to move the bottleneck in your games from the CPU clearly to the GPU.
-So it's kind of a chicken/egg scenario. Should you upgrade the CPU/mobo or GPU first?

Next generation GPUs are expected out sometime next year (haven't heard specifics yet from either camp) and Intel plans to launch a new CPU architecture (Haswell) in late Q2 2013. Note that this will require a new motherboard socket - so even though that ASRock Extreme4 is an awesome board, it won't support the next generation CPUs.

So, maybe if not dying to upgrade, just wait a bit and update both parts once the new stuff launches? If not, I'd suggest GPU now and CPU/mobo when Haswell launches.

 

[darkfalz]

You can get a 3470 for much cheaper, and it can still overclock 4 bins I believe (to 4 GHz for 1/2 cores, 3.8 for 4).

 

[Meghan54]

You can get a 3470 for much cheaper, and it can still overclock 4 bins I believe (to 4 GHz for 1/2 cores, 3.8 for 4).

I wouldn't call $20 much cheaper for a fully unlocked processor that's bound to retain more value than the locked processor, esp. for enthusiasts.

 

[darkfalz]

I wouldn't call $20 much cheaper for a fully unlocked processor that's bound to retain more value than the locked processor, esp. for enthusiasts.

I've got a $45 price difference here. If you want to go north of 4 GHz on the unlocked version, you'll need an aftermarket cooler too, which is more money again. And a Z board.

Personally I'm not worried about "retaining value" of my computer, but if you can really only afford an upgrade every 5 years, I suppose it makes sense.

 

[DistortionGamer]

A few things to consider:

-The Q8300 is definitely one of Intel's weaker quads, especially if not overclocked (low speed, small cache, just not a stellar chip).
-The 6870 is not a superstar by today's standards, putting an i5 3570k behind it is going to move the bottleneck in your games from the CPU clearly to the GPU.
-So it's kind of a chicken/egg scenario. Should you upgrade the CPU/mobo or GPU first?

Next generation GPUs are expected out sometime next year (haven't heard specifics yet from either camp) and Intel plans to launch a new CPU architecture (Haswell) in late Q2 2013. Note that this will require a new motherboard socket - so even though that ASRock Extreme4 is an awesome board, it won't support the next generation CPUs.

So, maybe if not dying to upgrade, just wait a bit and update both parts once the new stuff launches? If not, I'd suggest GPU now and CPU/mobo when Haswell launches.

Hmm.. Well, keep in mind I don't have a job so my money is very limited, the GPU is relatively recent, I wanted something below 200 euros which could run every game atleast on high and it does it perfectly, according to benchmarks online, it can run Battlefield 3 at ultra at 39 fps, so I don't think I'll be buying a new GPU. However, the fact that a new generation of CPUs and mobos are coming, probably means the current ones prices will drop, correct?
(link for benchmarks http://kotaku.com/5964022/the-best-graphics-cards-nvidia-vs-amd-current+gen-comparison)

 

[ShintaiDK]

Prices wont drop (Unless individual shops lower prices until they are sold out.). Products simply get replaced.

 

[sm625]

No job = no buy $200 mobo lol. If you can find a i5-7xx mobo+cpu for a decent price, that is the most cost effective route. I wouldnt pay more than $120 euros for the combo.

 

[dma0991]

However, the fact that a new generation of CPUs and mobos are coming, probably means the current ones prices will drop, correct?

Its price wouldn't drop much. Even if it did, it wasn't caused by the upcoming Haswell. A CPU upgrade wouldn't help much if your CPU isn't the bottleneck.

An observation I made recently about a PC that belongs a friend of mine. Specs were a temporary Pentium G620 with HD6870 Crossfire playing Far Cry 3. Looked at Afterburner while playing, GPU 2 did nothing and GPU 1 had a slight bottleneck. Did an upgrade to a Core i5 3570K, an immediate improvement and both HD6870s were well utilized in FC3.

 

[DistortionGamer]

Keeping in mind I don't plan to do any crossfire or anything of sorts, is there not a cheaper motherboard that can handle the cpu?

 

[Denithor]

^ Exactly my point - right now the OP has a relatively balanced system (a bit more GPU than is likely being used but close). Pushing the CPU up HUGELY like that (Q8300 -> 3570K) leaves you with a really unbalanced system - lots of CPU power but lean on the GPU side.

Hate those prices, Distortion, here in the US the Extreme4 typically runs $140, got down to just over $100 on Black Friday.

Is there a used market in your country? You could look into a used Sandy Bridge setup instead, might be considerably cheaper.

 

[dma0991]

Keeping in mind I don't plan to do any crossfire or anything of sorts, is there not a cheaper motherboard that can handle the cpu?

You could but the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 offers a lot of features for a Z77 board at a reasonable price. At the very least, an ASRock Z77 Pro3. Anything lower than that and you'll have to forgo the Core i5 3570K's overclocking features.

If you're not interested in overclocking at all, get a cheap B75 or H77 motherboard with a cheaper Core i5, like the Core i5 3470.

 

[tweakboy]

A few things to consider:

-The Q8300 is definitely one of Intel's weaker quads, especially if not overclocked (low speed, small cache, just not a stellar chip).
-The 6870 is not a superstar by today's standards, putting an i5 3570k behind it is going to move the bottleneck in your games from the CPU clearly to the GPU.
-So it's kind of a chicken/egg scenario. Should you upgrade the CPU/mobo or GPU first?

Next generation GPUs are expected out sometime next year (haven't heard specifics yet from either camp) and Intel plans to launch a new CPU architecture (Haswell) in late Q2 2013. Note that this will require a new motherboard socket - so even though that ASRock Extreme4 is an awesome board, it won't support the next generation CPUs.

So, maybe if not dying to upgrade, just wait a bit and update both parts once the new stuff launches? If not, I'd suggest GPU now and CPU/mobo when Haswell launches.

Haswell at first introduces mobile CPUs,,, then desktop 2 core CPUs with HT for 4 threads. It will have a much much faster GPU on it which is what all the gander is about. Im waiting for the Ivy Bridge E to come out, 6 core 12 threads ..... Haswell has no chance.

When will people see Haswell is mostly for a video cardless mobile or desktops...... The hardcore gamer can do fine with their sandy or ivy ,,,I think the Ivy E coming 3rd quarter of 2013 will blow away anything in its path, give it a nice OC to 5Ghz...... and it will destroy any Haswell chiop in 2013. In 2014 finally it comes to enthusiast market with 4core 8 threads CPUs and possibly 6 core Haswells in late 2014.......... gl

 

[DistortionGamer]

You could but the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 offers a lot of features for a Z77 board at a reasonable price. At the very least, an ASRock Z77 Pro3. Anything lower than that and you'll have to forgo the Core i5 3570K's overclocking features.

If you're not interested in overclocking at all, get a cheap B75 or H77 motherboard with a cheaper Core i5, like the Core i5 3470.

Well for overclocking won't I need to get a cooler or something (which = more money which I don't have)?

 

[dma0991]

Well for overclocking won't I need to get a cooler or something (which = more money which I don't have)?

Its just an added feature from the premium you've paid for the Core i5 3570K. You don't have to use it immediately and not using it at all is a waste unless your aim is the better IGP, HD4000(Core i5 3570 >> HD2500). It could be reserved for a later time when you have the money for a better heatsink.

You could get a cheaper CPU and motherboard(like I mentioned earlier) if you don't want the overclocking feature and/or better IGP.

 

[DistortionGamer]

Hmm, people have recommended the MSI-Z77A-G43, saying it can OC the CPU quite well (up to 4.2 GHz). What are your thoughts on that mobo?
And do you think the AsRock Z77 Pro 3 could OC just as well?

 

[dma0991]

Hmm, people have recommended the MSI-Z77A-G43, saying it can OC the CPU quite well (up to 4.2 GHz). What are your thoughts on that mobo?
And do you think the AsRock Z77 Pro 3 could OC just as well?

It will take you till 4.2GHz with MSI's OC Genie but it plays safe and you could always have better settings(lower voltage for a particular clockspeed) if you take the trouble finding the sweet spot with manual settings. I don't have this motherboard so I can't say how good it actually is.

The ASRock Z77 Pro3 probably could OC just as well but as with any purchased goods, you got what you paid for. It gives you the OC features only available for Z77 motherboards at a very low cost.

 

[dragantoe]

Hmm, people have recommended the MSI-Z77A-G43, saying it can OC the CPU quite well (up to 4.2 GHz). What are your thoughts on that mobo?
And do you think the AsRock Z77 Pro 3 could OC just as well?

you can do a stable 4.6 ghz oc with the pro 3, z77 and z75, i should be getting mine today or tomorrow so I will post results.

 

[RussianSensation]

It's for gaming mainly.

What games do you play?

You can buy a 30 Euro cooler in the meantime that has Socket 1155/1156 support and LGA775 support. When Haswell launches in April-June 2013, you can do a full blown CPU+Motherboard+DDR3 upgrade and carry over the cooler to the new platform. Since you seem to be the type who keeps his CPU+Mobo for a long time, I think in your particular case, it's not a bad idea to wait 5-6 more months for Haswell. Intel tends to replace older generation CPUs at similar prices. I wouldn't expect i5 4670K to cost more than i5 3570K. In turn, Haswell might benefit you the most since it has some new instructions that might come in handy in 4-5 years and you seem to keep your CPU for that long. Maybe some other guys here can confirm but from what I've read Haswell should switch to either more expensive TIM or fluxless soldering for the heatspreader, which should allow it to run cooler or overclock better than i5 3570K does without removing the CPU heatspreader. Also, waiting for Haswell gives you time to save up a little bit more $ in the next 5-6 months so you don't have to buy a low end budget motherboard that will hold back your 200+ Euro K series CPU's overclocking capabilities, which would almost defeat the purpose for spending extra on the K series.

With a decent cooler, you can push the 8300 to 3.0-3.2ghz I bet for at least some small gain. If in your country it takes a while before the latest PC parts are available for sale after they launch in North America, then sure it might not make sense to wait 6 months for Haswell.

 

[blastingcap]

At this point maybe you should wait for Haswell. Yes it will have an effect on Ivy prices, eventually.