Downgrading Core i5 2310! Differences Between Core i3/Pentium G? *Price Check Too!*

[UseItNow]

Hello fellow Hexites!

I've decided I'm going to downgrade my Core i5 2310 CPU to something less powerful on my second rig, as I don't use it for much more than web browsing, a bit of Bluray watching, word processing, nothing really intensive.

I've decided I'll be downgrading to a Core i3 or as a last resort to a Pentium G620, G840 etc, would prefer to stick to the Core i3 range, the i3 2100 is more than suffice I'd say?

Would that be right?

I'd prefer to stick to the Core i3 2100 as supposedly its got the better GPU than the Pentium range, that and something else I can't recollect off the top of my head ATM. I'm looking to just use the on-board GPU, would this be alright for Bluray playback? This way, I could get rid of my HD5770 1Gb too.

BTW, whats a second hand Core i5 2310 CPU worth nowadays? Its just the CPU! I'll probably sell it with my Corsair H50 CPU Cooler which I've used on it until recently.

Thanks Hexites for your help!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

A Pentium G530 should do the job IMHO:

http://www.cclonline.com/product/668...essor/CPU0053/

[scaryjim]

If you want the more powerful GPU you need an i3 2105, which is ~ £105. Although for media use I'd guess the hardware decoding block is identical, in which case (as CAT says) the s1155 Celly should be fine, frankly...

[UseItNow]

A Pentium G530 should do the job IMHO:

http://www.cclonline.com/product/668...essor/CPU0053/

Didn't even know there was a Celeron part, thinking it over I'd stick with the G620 at the lowest end (isn't it equivalent to one of the E8XXX parts?).

Whats the difference between the Celeron and the Pentium G620?

Thanks CAT as usual.

If you want the more powerful GPU you need an i3 2105, which is ~ £105. Although for media use I'd guess the hardware decoding block is identical, in which case (as CAT says) the s1155 Celly should be fine, frankly...

No need for a more powerful GPU, the G620's or the Core i3 2100's would do fine.

Thanks Jim.

Appreciate your help GENT's!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Didn't even know there was a Celeron part, thinking it over I'd stick with the G620 at the lowest end (isn't it equivalent to one of the E8XXX parts?).

Whats the difference between the Celeron and the Pentium G620?

Thanks CAT as usual.

The Celery has 1MB less of L3 cache. The Celeron and Pentium lines do not support Quick Sync but I suspect you have a Core i5 or Core i7 in your main rig,right??

Here is a review of the slightly higher clocked G540:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...0_5.html#sect0

I would place it around Athlon II X2 250 level performance which should be fine for general purpose usage.

The IGP of the G840 and G530 look similar:

http://ark.intel.com/products/53490/...he-2_80-GHz%29

http://ark.intel.com/products/53414

I would suggest that if you want to have a better GPU for playback then get an HD5450 or HD6450. They should cost around £20 to £30 and give better video playback quality AFAIK.

[UseItNow]

The Celery has 1MB less of L3 cache. The Celeron and Pentium lines do not support Quick Sync but I suspect you have a Core i5 or Core i7 in your main rig,right??

Here is a review of the slightly higher clocked G540:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...0_5.html#sect0

I would place it around Athlon II X2 250 level performance which should be fine for general purpose usage.

The IGP of the G840 and G530 look similar:

http://ark.intel.com/products/53490/...he-2_80-GHz%29

http://ark.intel.com/products/53414

I would suggest that if you want to have a better GPU for playback then get an HD5450 or HD6450. They should cost around £20 to £30 and give better video playback quality AFAIK.

You are right about the Core i5/i7, still have my i7 2600K in the main rig, soon to be with a Z68, yay!

Okay, I've definitely decided its a Core i3 or Pentium G620 (no G840 etc), don't want to regret getting rid of the i5 afterwards!

That review gave me the nudge I needed to decide between the lot, so depending on what the best price around is and if I can justify the difference or not, it'll be a Core i3 or Pentium G620 (unless you want to sell me that Core i3 for that Xeon you've been eyeing up LOL) that'll be going into my H67 board.

I've got a HD5770 1Gb that I can use but I'll see how I get on without it first, as I say its not my main rig, so smooth Bluray playback isn't essential, thanks for the pointers CAT.

CAT, I'll say this mate, you are a credit to these very forums, without "YOU" we'd be at a loss, so I say "THANK YOU"!

[UseItNow]

BTW, how's £110 inc. of delivery for the Core i5 2310 sound as price to offer it at?

Thanks.