To 2600K or not to 2600K : That is the question

[Castiel]

For benching the 2600K makes perfect sense. For just gaming the 2500K is a steal. I can't decide...

 

[nyker96]

I think if you got some use for the 2600k then get it. judging from your previous rig, I think maybe 2600k is more of an upgrade to you. 2500k might not be worth it as much esp. you are already running a i5 7xx@4.4

 

[stahlhart]

I'm going with the 2500K.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Im going at least 2600k and GTX570!!!

 

[exar333]

Go for the 2600K. The extra couple inches of e-peen is worth it. Plus, you will kick yourself later for cheaping out.

 

[evilspoons]

Left 4 Dead isn't the best comparison for gaming, in my opinion. The Source engine works very nicely on lots of different hardware and you seem to kind of hit a wall at 100+ FPS on most hardware.

I'd like to see this benchmark (HT on/off) on Dead Rising 2, Dirt 2, Civilization V, Fallout: New Vegas, etc... stuff with different engines.

Whichever one you get you can donate your i5 760 to me, my poor C2Q 6600 is looking sad now. The 2600K is twice as fast as it in almost everything.

 

[Hogan773]

Go for the 2600K. The extra couple inches of e-peen is worth it. Plus, you will kick yourself later for cheaping out.

Yeah I might do this too......I only upgrade every 4-5 years (actually my current PC is 6 years!). 100 bucks over 5 years......and in 5 years you'll all be kicking 32 core 16nm chips overclocked to 6.7ghz and you'll all be laughing at my old 2600K beater....

 

[ochadd]

I want the 2600k for that extra bit. Hyperthreading, additional cache, and higher clocks provide some extra value. All those exta % add up in a machine.
% with HT, cache, and clocks
% due to CPU overclocking
% due to memory overclocking
% due to VGA overclocking
% due to OS and other tweaks
% due to storage optimizations

The extra four "cores" in task manager will make me smile as well. I typically spend ~$300 for a CPU every couple years so it's in budget. The extra $100 is worth it just to have it. If I didn't I'd regret it.

 

[StinkyPinky]

The other side of the coin though is get the cheaper 2500k, and then swap it for a 22nm 6-core cpu in 12 months time. They should support the same motherboard.

 

[mosox]

Core I5 760 - 4.4Ghz? Get two HD 6870 for the same $$$. Or something.

 

[Castiel]

Core I5 760 - 4.4Ghz? Get two HD 6870 for the same $$$. Or something.

Just ordered a pair of 460's actually.

 

[mosox]

Nice. I doubt that your CPU will bottleneck them.

 

[toyota]

Im going at least 2600k and GTX570!!!

at least 2600k? there is nothing above 2600k. and if this is for gaming then the 2500k makes more sense.

 

[toyota]

Just ordered a pair of 460's actually.

upgrading your cpu will accomplish little. just stick with what you have unless you are just bored and wanting to upgrade for the hell of it.

 

[jimhsu]

Not to be devil's advocate, but it's possible that the 2500K might clock higher due to lacking the hyperthreading circuitry (and thus less power use, heat production, etc). Just speculation.

 

[toyota]

Not to be devil's advocate, but it's possible that the 2500K might clock higher due to lacking the hyperthreading circuitry (and thus less power use, heat production, etc). Just speculation.

not according to any reviews. it seems the 2600k ocs just as high.

 

[jimhsu]

On the other hand, why does X3 Terran Conflict get a boost from hyperthreading? Last time I checked, the game doesn't even efficiently use 2 cores, let alone 8 threads...

That (and X3 reunion) has been one of my longest lasting games so far, hence why I care...

 

[Castiel]

Reading the 750 vs 2500K clock for clock review has me rethinking going to SB at all.

Yeah it'll overclock better but in gaming it'll be pretty close. Knew i should have bought the X3440 when i had the chance.

 

[toyota]

Reading the 750 vs 2500K clock for clock review has me rethinking going to SB at all.

Yeah it'll overclock better but in gaming it'll be pretty close. Knew i should have bought the X3440 when i had the chance.

yeah you should really oc your 760 some more since 4.4 isnt enough for gaming.

at 4.4 you would not even come close to limiting 460 sli.

 

[Castiel]

yeah you should really oc your 760 some more since 4.4 isnt enough for gaming.

at 4.4 you would not even come close to limiting 460 sli.

Very true. Hmm... Maybe return the 460's for a 580

 

[jimhsu]

On the other hand, why does X3 Terran Conflict get a boost from hyperthreading? Last time I checked, the game doesn't even efficiently use 2 cores, let alone 8 threads...

That (and X3 reunion) has been one of my longest lasting games so far, hence why I care...

Without a source, I question the X3 test result. Here is a reputable source that shows no difference (and remember that the 2600K is clocked higher by default):

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/10

And it's no surprise that minimum framerates are dramatically affected by CPU. Combat in the game is horribly CPU limited from my experience.

 

[toyota]

Without a source, I question the X3 test result. Here is a reputable source that shows no difference (and remember that the 2600K is clocked higher by default):

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/03/intel-sandy-bridge-review/10

what are you looking at? the 2600k is faster.

 

[Spike]

I'm leaning towards the 2500k simply for the savings and the fact that I'm mainly gaming. I don't see the extra $100 worth it for me except for the ability to say I have a 2600k.

 

[toyota]

I'm leaning towards the 2500k simply for the savings and the fact that I'm mainly gaming. I don't see the extra $100 worth except for the ability to say I have a 2600k, but thats just me.

yes the 2500k is the better cpu if gaming is the highest concern.

 

[CosmicMight]

I'm leaning towards the 2500k simply for the savings and the fact that I'm mainly gaming. I don't see the extra $100 worth except for the ability to say I have a 2600k, but thats just me.

This is what I tell myself over and over again...

The other side of the coin though is get the cheaper 2500k, and then swap it for a 22nm 6-core cpu in 12 months time. They should support the same motherboard.

...and then this. I want to see everyone's opinions to be sure. I'm about 99% certain I will get the 2500k but all those synthetic benches where the 2600k stomps everything make me wonder.

Hmmm. Make that 100%. Screw the synth, I do not edit video nor do I code. My finances will be better in 18 months, then I'll just swap out to haswell with a ram, mobo and proc upgrade. Money is too tight right now and I wouldn't even be using the power of that chip.