Practical Difference between i3 and i5 for Alienware Alpha?

[silentmemories]

Disclosure: I understand that the Alienware Alpha may not be the best of deals (I've built my own Gaming PC before), but I value the portability of the Alienware Alpha. Thanks.

There are three current models for the Alienware Alpha: an i3, i5 and i7 version. The graphics card is unchanged (Equivalent to a nVidia 750/860m).

• Intel® Core™ i3-4130T Dual Core Processor (3M Cache, 2.9 GHz)
• Intel® Core™ i5-4590T Quad-Core Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz)
• Intel® Core™ i7-4765T Quad-Core Processor(8M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz)

How much of a substantive difference will upgrading the CPU be? Bear in mind there's a ~$150-200 difference between the i3 and the i5/i7 versions.

I was thinking about going with the i3 version, upgrading the base 4 GB RAM to 8 GB, and then replacing the HDD with a 250 GB SSD.

Thanks.

 

[LTC8K6]

Ooops, wrong processors.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1367?vs=1191

The i7 is often much faster than the i3.

I think you want at least 4 cores, so at least the i5.

 

[Enigmoid]

Looking on the dell usa website there is a $100 difference between the i5 and i3 versions ($699 vs. 599) and you get a slightly better wifi card (not sure if that is important to you). The i5 has twice the cores of the i3. The i7 has HT but that is likely not too useful on such a power limited budget and for gaming. The i5 seems like the better bang for the buck.

 

[crashtech]

The sweet spot for price/performance in a gaming rig is the i5, there's no question. Most current titles perform demonstrably better with 4 real cores.

Sometimes I still build and recommend the i3, but only if the machine is not dedicated to gaming and is instead a budget all-rounder.

 

[bullzz]

i5 model for sure. four core > dual core+HT especially when its a desktop. i7 model is just way overpriced IMO

 

[frozentundra123456]

Just looking at their page. The prices are very reasonable for Alienware. I know the i5 is a better gaming processor, but since the gpu is limited to a GTX860M, I would be tempted to go with the i3. Interesting also that it comes standard with a controller but no mouse or keyboard.

 

[PG]

This review might give you some good info: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-the-best-pc-hardware-for-grand-theft-auto-5

The GTX860M is about the same as a GTX 750Ti I think, so scroll down in that review to see what they got for results in GTA V. Spoiler: The fps was about the same with either i3 or i7 . Even the i3 could feed the 750Ti just fine.

With a Titan video card, well that was a different story. The i3 was just too weak for that card and performance was much lower than an i5 or i7.

The i3 would probably be fine for you, but an i5 might be a better bet for long term use.

 

[Enigmoid]

Look on Notebookcheck. They have some reviews of U level processors (dual core at similar speeds) with a 860m vs. quads with an 860m. Sometimes the CPU becomes a limiting factor, other times its not.

 

[sm625]

I wouldnt even get the i5. It is pointless. The i3 will run 4 threads at 2.9GHz. The i5 can run 4 threads at 3.0 GHz, but its base clock (worst case) is 2.0GHz. Which means it is possible that under full load the performance for the i5 could be worse than the performance of the i3 under full load. I would not spend any additional money when that potential exists.

 

[Enigmoid]

The i5 should consistently run 4 cores at 3.0 ghz in a 35W TDP as long as the igp is not being used. I doubt downclocking will occur (may have to tweak settings depending on how aggressive dell's power saving scheme is).

 

[coercitiv]

The i5 can run 4 threads at 3.0 GHz, but its base clock (worst case) is 2.0GHz. Which means it is possible that under full load the performance for the i5 could be worse than the performance of the i3 under full load.

The i5 will run 4 threads at 2.6Ghz. Turbo ratios for 4590T depending on number of threads are 6/7/9/10. That having been said, it will run at full turbo speeds, not base speeds. The only exceptions might be when gaming on iGPU or using prime 95. Also, at 4 threads it will easily outperform the i3.

Keep in mind it should be possible to force full turbo clocks for multi threaded work as well, using software like Intel XTU or Throttlestop.

Considering this is a tiny system with a mobile dGPU (and likely limited by GPU perfromance), the only real benefit I could see from getting the i5 might be using it with lower clocks on well multithreaded games will provide lower power usage and potentially better gaming experience (less noise, less potential for throttling etc). However, if engineers did their job right... you may have spent an extra $100 for nothing.

PS: if it's a living room toy get the i3, if it's a main machine get the i5. The i7.. not really worth it considering the dGPU.

 

[Yuriman]

OP, you might consider using this case to do an ITX build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163252

It's a little bigger than the Alpha, but will take non-T CPUs and full-sized desktop video cards.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Dell=pay to much oh then the warranty, ugh! Enjoy!

 

[Qwertilot]

Is there an option of waiting for a Skylake refresh?

If the rumoured clock speeds/models etc for Skylake are true, the T branded Skylakes look like they might be getting a disproportionately large upgrade over the higher TDP ones.

 

[ElFenix]

You're graphics limited in the vast majority of situations so go with the i3

 

[frozentundra123456]

Dell=pay to much oh then the warranty, ugh! Enjoy!

Actually, I think the prices are quite reasonable for these compared to usual Alienware units. The main disadvantage I see is that one could probably not upgrade the graphics card, or at least it would be very expensive to do so, since they are mobile cards.

 

[crashtech]

You're graphics limited in the vast majority of situations so go with the i3

You know, this is right. I didn't realize that the GPU is apparently soldered to the Alpha's mobo, so without a GPU upgrade path the i3 probably makes more sense.

 

[silentmemories]

My main rationale is that I want to do 1080p gaming for 2-3 year old games (+Dota 2, CS:GO). Have to stick with my current laptop at the moment, while waiting for Skylake to finally release (MBP).

The Alienware Alpha seems very price competitive, in light of its size (Size is the main consideration) and weight.

OP, you might consider using this case to do an ITX build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163252

It's a little bigger than the Alpha, but will take non-T CPUs and full-sized desktop video cards.

Yep. I am aware that mITX builds are better (Eyeing the NCase M1 myself) but I don't have the funds to do a proper build at the moment. I would ideally do a i7+nVidia 980+1 TB SSD and 32GB RAM, but not enough money at this point.

Perhaps sometime in the future.

Is there an option of waiting for a Skylake refresh?

If the rumoured clock speeds/models etc for Skylake are true, the T branded Skylakes look like they might be getting a disproportionately large upgrade over the higher TDP ones.

Not really. Planning on getting a Skylake MacBook Pro (when it does get released), but using this to game in the meantime.

You know, this is right. I didn't realize that the GPU is apparently soldered to the Alpha's mobo, so without a GPU upgrade path the i3 probably makes more sense.

GPU's soldered. You can upgrade the CPU (There is a hard limit, by the PSU) but I don't really see the point in doing so, since the main limitation is the graphics card.

 

[LTC8K6]

Given the additional info, I would go with the i3.

 

[xthetenth]

Yep. I am aware that mITX builds are better (Eyeing the NCase M1 myself) but I don't have the funds to do a proper build at the moment. I would ideally do a i7+nVidia 980+1 TB SSD and 32GB RAM, but not enough money at this point.

Perhaps sometime in the future.

That's one side of things, but you might be well suited to see whether you can do more than the alpha with such a setup for the same money.

 

[Yuriman]

Silverstone Raven - $90

i3 4160 - $110

ECS H81H3 (ITX) - $45

Crucial 4GB DDR3 1600 - $26

Silverstone 300w 80+ Bronze SFX PSU - $60

WD 500GB 7200RPM - $34

Subtotal: $365

That leaves $150 for an XFX R280 3GB, putting you at $500 with more than twice the GPU power and a faster CPU in a similar form factor.

If you upgrade to a 250GB SSD (+$60) or more RAM, you don't need to sell the old parts. A 450w PSU is +$25, though you're fine with 300w for a 280 + i3.

With an i3 + 300w + SSD + R280, the grand total comes out to about $575.

With an i5 + 450w + 8GB RAM + SSD + R280, the grand total comes out to about $700.

EDIT: Plus operating system.

 

[JWade]

right now there is a coupon code for the alpha for the i3 model with a 500gb hard drive and 4gb ram to get it for $399.

 

[JWade]

Intel Core i3-4130T Dual-Core Haswell Gaming Console for a low $399.99 Free Shipping after Coupon Code: "LRGJJ5QNXN9MTS" (Exp Soon). Tax in most states. Sells for $500 elsewhere and the lowest price we've seen for the Alienware Alpha gaming rig.

Intel Core i3-4130T 2.9GHz Dual-Core; 4GB RAM; 500GB HDD; 802.11AC + bluetooth; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M+ Class 2GB GDDR5 GPU; HDMI; 2x USB 3.0 2x USB 2.0; 1yr warranty; includes Xbox 360 wireless controller w/ USB adapter

 

[CriticalOne]

I'll let you know i'm typing this with an i3 4370 so there is going to be some bias, but i'm not going to mislead you.

The i3 4130T is going to pretty much be hitting that 2.9GHz all the time. The i5 and the i7s have Turbo Boost, but since Intel states that their clock speeds can go"up to" 3GHz or whatever, that suggests that the actual base clock is much lower. It will probably be around 2.5Ghz on the base clock and that "up to" speed is for a single core only.

It doesn't really make sense to get anything but the i3 4130T.