i3 system powerful?

[LaxBlade]

YES! - I'm also well aware that the Core (i5) 670 3.46GHz 32nm CPU is a fantastic Dual Core OverClocker... I've witnessed some very impressive Overclock's on an H57 Motherboard.

But remember the 4 Physical cores on the (i5 750) 2.66Ghz will in most benchmark tests I've seen, will trash the 2 Physical Core Hyper thead i5 670 3.46GHz (I will post to satisfy you if you do so wish)....

However, the i7 860 2.8Ghz - which is 4 Physical cores and 4 simulated cores will trash the lot, and is still at time of print cheaper than the i5 670 dual core 3.46GHz - and look at the difference in RAW POWER in any benchmark in Cyberspace....

I do NOT wish to get into childish scraps with anyone, I'm just posting my own opinions based on my personal experience.

So, before you reply, please respect my opinions, likewise I will respect yours too...

Thanks for reading fellow earthlings....

[wesleyaldred]

You should check if scansure covers you for failed BIOS flashing - if it does I think it'd be worth getting it for that mobo, because you're going to have to flash the BIOS really...

I can confirm that Scansure would cover a failed BIOS update.

[Terbinator]

I can confirm that Scansure would cover a failed BIOS update.

T~@'
Maybe i will actually consider it next time

[LaxBlade]

I like your clock speed, how did you manage to get it stable Terbinator?

What settings did you use in the BIOS....? I take it your using Bios MSI v1.6.?
What cooler did you use etc....?
Under Prime 95 what were your Highest temps under full aggressive load..?

I'm using ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro in both rigs, find them best value for da loot.!

Thanks! in advance...

[scaryjim]

I challenge anyone to tell me the Core i5 670 3.46GHz Socket 1156 4MB L3 Cache BEATS the much lower priced, i5 750 2.66Ghz Socket 1156 8MB L3 Cache. ...

No one ever said it did. I'd completely agree with you that the i5 670 is not as good a value chip as the i5 750.

But no-one on this thread was discussing the i5 670. We were discussing the i3 530, which is only ~ £90, and is powerful enough for the OPs requirements. Not everyone needs a powerhouse of a computer, and for those that don't, there's no point spending an extra £60 on a more powerful CPU (let alone the extra £20 minimum on a discrete graphics card) when that extra power won't be used.

That said, it would appear that the OPs friend has now decided he'd like the extra power of the i5 750 after all (more power to him ), so that's fair enough.

I can confirm that Scansure would cover a failed BIOS update.

Thanks Wesley, good to know. I will seriously consider that next time I'm putting together a build from some of your Today Only stock Would've saved me a lot of worry with the M3A78-T I bought a couple of weeks ago!

[Terbinator]

It wasn't bench stable mainly down to the reason I didn't actually bench/check, i just wanted to hit 4GHz.

Think it may of been BIOS revision 1.5 actually, i can't remember the exact settings but it was definately around 1.425 on the vCore, 1.3 on VTT and 1.65v on the RAM - with the RAM originally being set to 800MHz. Obviously I don't need as higher bus speed to hit 4GHz as you and the i7 860 also has an extra RAM multiplier IIRC so lifes a bit easier in that department. Your best asking 'nibbler' for help as he's using a i5 750!

hope this helped! Oh, your going to need a better cooler for 4GHz !

[LaxBlade]

Hi Scaryjim...

Re: Core i3 and why I mentioned the New i5 dual core edition...

As I'm sure you're well aware, however others are NOT, when the word i5 is mentioned folks automatically the 4 Physical cores. (Like the Lynnfield i5 750 and i5 750s)

However, the new Dual Core i5 - is more like a High performance Core i3, as they share the exact same 32nm Clarkedale Dual Core i3 architecture (NOT the Classic Lynnfield Quad (i5) architecture).

It was just clever marketing via intel to make people think they are buying an "(i5) Quad", when really they would be much better off, BUYING an Core i3 Hyper threaded CPU for around £100 and overclocking with some MX-2 or MX-3 and a decent cooler... the 32nm i3 design is ideal for O/C.

YES! - I agree the right Core i3 HT CPU in the right hands, would be ideal as a 2nd PC as an HTPC, so no need to splash out £150 on an i5 750.

In about 4 weeks for now I'm upgrading my (i5 750) to the i7 860 CPU on my New* MSI P55 GD80 Mobo, so I will be having it up for sale at a low price for quick sale... MINT Condition £90, and runs at low temps, I guess I was fortunate to get a great production chip on the right day. Average idle 17c on an MSI P55 GD65 board with MX-2 and Freezer Pro 7 v2.

So let me know if you know anyone seeking a bargain chip, it will be cleaned with ARCTIC 2 stage Cleaner. And well wrapped for transport via 24hr Special Delivery.

[LaxBlade]

It wasn't bench stable mainly down to the reason I didn't actually bench/check, i just wanted to hit 4GHz.

Think it may of been BIOS revision 1.5 actually, i can't remember the exact settings but it was definately around 1.425 on the vCore, 1.3 on VTT and 1.65v on the RAM - with the RAM originally being set to 800MHz. Obviously I don't need as higher bus speed to hit 4GHz as you and the i7 860 also has an extra RAM multiplier IIRC so lifes a bit easier in that department. Your best asking 'nibbler' for help as he's using a i5 750!

hope this helped! Oh, your going to need a better cooler for 4GHz !

The latest MSi P55 bios via LIVE UPDATE is now v1.6 check it out if you wish...

One other question, do you not think a decent Corsair HX PSU is ideal for o/c just a much as a decent High performance Air cooler is important...? or are you sticking with the Corsair Water H50 System? (You do use an Corsair H50 ?) - also what kinda thermal paste do you prefer..?

Cheers!

[scaryjim]

As I'm sure you're well aware, however others are NOT, when the word i5 is mentioned folks automatically the 4 Physical cores. (Like the Lynnfield i5 750 and i5 750s)

tbh, I think anyone regularly using Hexus, like golwg, is probably tech savvy enouh to know the difference, and anyone who isn't probably doesn't have the least idea how many cores an i5 has!

So let me know if you know anyone seeking a bargain chip, it will be cleaned with ARCTIC 2 stage Cleaner. And well wrapped for transport via 24hr Special Delivery.

100 (non-spammy, obviously ) posts on Hexus gives you access to the classfieds section, where you can advertise your spare hardware for sale and I'm sure you'd find a buyer for an i5 750. So keep contributing!

[LaxBlade]

Yeh! - when I see some more interesting threads, I will contribute....

However, 100 posts - seems a long way away.... I'm not in any great hurry I quess....

[peterb]

Yeh! - when I see some more interesting threads, I will contribute....

However, 100 posts - seems a long way away.... I'm not in any great hurry I quess....

Ah, you will be surprised at just how quickly that 100 post mark is reached if you are a regular contributor!!

[Terbinator]

The latest MSi P55 bios via LIVE UPDATE is now v1.6 check it out if you wish...

One other question, do you not think a decent Corsair HX PSU is ideal for o/c just a much as a decent High performance Air cooler is important...? or are you sticking with the Corsair Water H50 System? (You do use an Corsair H50 ?) - also what kinda thermal paste do you prefer..?

Cheers!

Well, I'm currently using 1.7 as I update through the BIOS ! No water cooling for me, I'm using the 'Akasa Freedom Tower'. I believe that the H50 is very good for its price, but when you start cranking up the clock-speed during a overclock I believe it starts to be as loud, if not louder, than an air solution as the radiator needs to dispatch heat very quickly.

[LaxBlade]

Well, I'm currently using 1.7 as I update through the BIOS ! No water cooling for me, I'm using the 'Akasa Freedom Tower'. I believe that the H50 is very good for its price, but when you start cranking up the clock-speed during a overclock I believe it starts to be as loud, if not louder, than an air solution as the radiator needs to dispatch heat very quickly.

Ok! you win hands down with the 'Akasa Freedom Tower' Best bang for da buck £28

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?W...source=froogle

The other high performance coolers are really built for X58 Motherboards with 135w+ CPU power draw.

The i7 860 95w+ Power draw and I've read loads of decent reviews on this one so yep, you're spot on. Others have commented on the Akasa Fans very high quality... half the price of a Noctura coolers....

Thanks for helping out mate... Lax

[LaxBlade]

Ah, you will be surprised at just how quickly that 100 post mark is reached if you are a regular contributor!!

Hiya....

Despite my earlier contempt for the i3 CPU...lol

the Intel Core i3 540 3.06GHz Socket 1156 4MB L3 Cache @ £106 ebuyer.com is not a bad price considering the Cooler 32nm Chip and I believe if its for someone building a 1st rig no worries passing the 4Ghz Barrier from what I've read with a decent Air Cooler.... (for perhaps a 1st time overclocker) Its practically £50 quid cheaper than the i5 750 - Dual Core with Hyper-threading, interesting.....

It would make a ideal 2nd PC or HTPC with a H55 or H57 Mobo around £100

Now considering it will beat in my opinion any other Core 2 Duo even the E8500 which is a lot more expensive, of course its got the older L2 Cache. And then the Core i3 has da modern architecture with H-Threading 4Mb L3 Cache and built in graphics should you decided to take it up....

A mere bargain put up against anyone with a limited budget..., I would always encourage the i5 750 for the extra £50, however we are not all technology crazy...

Forgive me if I've covered something someone else has covered, just this Core i3 has made me thinking alone the lines of someone who has a power-horse and just wants a 2nd Computer for a HTPC.

[scaryjim]

Ah, you will be surprised at just how quickly that 100 post mark is reached if you are a regular contributor!!

True dat. I seem to be averaging just over 5 posts a day over the course of the last year and a bit, so it should only take a month or so to hit it. And there's so many different topics you can chip in on Hexus (we even have our own cookery forum!) there's usually something you can contribute to every day!

[jim]

Of course, getting banned always decreases your chances of reaching the mythical landmark...