Core i3? Why the hell not?

[Detale]

Can someone give me a good reason not to get an i3 CPU? The damn thing is only $125 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222). I have been trying to read up on the differences and the only thing I seem to get is that it's a dual core instead of quad and it doesn't use the Intel Turbo Boost tech ( I wouldn't use it anyway) I think I may get a 1156 system and go with this CPU if only for a while. I can always upgrade to a i5/i7 later on right?


http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll/20-231-277-02.jpg
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277) Item #: N82E16820231277Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#41)
$93.99 select item 2 quantity of item 2
http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll/13-128-412-02.jpg
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412) Item #: N82E16813128412Return Policy: Standard Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#44) -$5.00 Instant
$139.99$134.99 select item 3 quantity of item 3
http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll/19-115-222-03.jpg
Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80616I3530 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222) Item #: N82E16819115222Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy (http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#39)
$124.99



Subtotal: $353.97

[Quarterquack]

You can, however it's not as PC Builders would call it "future proof". Dual Cores is a technology that's been around for ages and soon enough will be obsolete, just as hyperthreaded single cores were in the past.

Buying an i3 now, then upgrading within a year seems unreasonable. People buy parts like the i5/i7 in order to make sure it'll give them a bang for a good 3-4 years before their next upgrade.

[Detale]

LOL, Thanks for the reply but I am not really most people. If you hang around here long enough you'll see I tend to upgrade way more often than is needed/recommended. Mostly I do it on a whim. Like now I saw that cpu at a mere 125 and I feel compelled to redo my system.

[MadIrish]

On that basis Detale, no, I for one can't give you a good reason not to..... and I have to admit that, were I able to afford tech on a whim rather than having to plan every build to last as long as possible, I'd be playing with an i3 myself right now.

Probably just to try to get an insane overclock like this (its on air too)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/rjkoneill/47suicide.jpg


So what if it only has 2 cores, a lot of people with quads aren't using them fully most of the time and probably won't be for some time. Definitely not as future proof, but for most real world applications right now that chip can give you some ridiculous grunt :)

[Detale]

I may just throw the i3 inside the g5 Mod (http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/f-hardware-24/t-ds-g5-mod-384278)

[bpchia]

is the i3 cool enough to be passively cooled?

[yann3804]

My parents are using their Pentium 3 and it is not causing any problems for them.

If you're gaming, then really go onto the GPU side, if you're working, then the CPU upgrade may be worthwhile, but it all depends on what you should do with the computer.


I see no Dual-Core becoming obsolete in at the least two years from now.

Read reviews, benchmarks; I believe I even saw it overclocked beating the Phenom X4, which is quite something.

EDIT : Well, the 1156 socket is going nowhere. I would see this as a HTPC build, but if you want that "future-proofing" thing, go with an i7 at least.

[Detale]

Well I have an i7 on a 1156 platform. For me I upgrade waay too often so I saved a few bucks on it. I also have an i3 now with an EVGA h55 Mobo that I haven't put together yet(still waiting on the case window to be cut :( ) For the money it seems this far DAMN good.

[clocker]

if you want that "future-proofing" thing, go with an i7 at least.
"That future proofing thing"...people still believe it exists?

[Detale]

LOL, well said. Yessiree come on down to bob's computer warehouse we got them brand new i7's in stock! Last computer chip you're eer gonn buy, I garontee it or my name isn't Bob!

[Twig]

for $20 more you can get AMD Quad 955. I would go that route if your basing your upgrade around a cpu.

[Detale]

lol, yeah but AMD sucks. I'm an Intel fanboy :) Also, I'm not basing an upgrade on a CPU, I thought it was uber cheap ($99 @ microcenter) so I am going to use it on a side project (http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/f-hardware-24/t-ds-g5-mod-384278). I went with these specs

Intel Corporation Core i3 530 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325943)

Biostar TH55B HD (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328118)

Corsair XMS3 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0318703)

[Twig]

AMD doesnt suck. Just because you like to lick intels ballz doesnt mean any other competition sucks :D. Price per performance AMD wins hands down. You will not find an intel processor for $150 that is better than 955 be. Dont get caught up in all the hoop lah. I use the facts to decide what goes in my rigs. :lol:

[Detale]

O'rly:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

OK now firstly I spend many of my wasted on-line hours reading up on things tech related. I'm not into any "hoop lah" as you put it. Overall, Intel PWNS AMD. Fact. 10 years ago AMD was the king but not since then, sorry to be the one to have to break the news to you. The chips we're talking about are basically the same (better than the other on some tests), but overall Intel beats up AMD in the schoolyard. Check and compare cpu's (http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/2) and get back to me. ;) Play around with the pull down tabs under CPU product benchmarks. In fairness AMD doesn't suck, Intel is just WAY better.

Also did you miss that the i3 is only $100???

[Twig]

O'rly:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

OK now firstly I spend many of my wasted on-line hours reading up on things tech related. I'm not into any "hoop lah" as you put it. Overall, Intel PWNS AMD. Fact. 10 years ago AMD was the king but not since then, sorry to be the one to have to break the news to you. The chips we're talking about are basically the same (better than the other on some tests), but overall Intel beats up AMD in the schoolyard. Check and compare cpu's (http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/2) and get back to me. ;) Play around with the pull down tabs under CPU product benchmarks. In fairness AMD doesn't suck, Intel is just WAY better.

Also did you miss that the i3 is only $100???


You must be doing some serious selective reading :lol: . Im guessing thats because your a bias buyer :D
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588-13.html
showing you how this i3 is nothing special ^^^^^
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=AMD+Phenom+II+X3+720+&x=9&y=32
showing you how you can buy AMD 720 for $20 cheaper that will beat your intel i3 out of the box. Enjoy :P

[clocker]

Ooooh, BITCH FIGHT!

[Twig]

The real kicker is you get one of these bad boyz (AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition) and by default most of these only have the 4th core locked by AMD. With the right motherboard and some luck you can unlock the 4th core and have a Quad core phenom II for $100. Im not fan boy of anything ( besides my wallet ) :D. I go by my saying in life: " you get what you pay for ". When I buy a computer component I use the same ideology, $ for $ the 720 is the no brainer here. To conclude, just like anything in life, there is no bargains, you pay for what you get. Enjoy paying more for a computer component because of its name. i stopped wearing Z. Cavaricci in middle school :D

[Detale]

LOL @ bitch fight. No fight really bud, I'll be done in a sec ;)


You must be doing some serious selective reading :lol: . Im guessing thats because your a bias buyer :D
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588-13.html
showing you how this i3 is nothing special ^^^^^
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=AMD+Phenom+II+X3+720+&x=9&y=32
showing you how you can buy AMD 720 for $20 cheaper that will beat your intel i3 out of the box. Enjoy :P

So I'm the one doing the selective reading eh? OK here we go.


You will not find an intel processor for $150 that is better than 955 be.
First you said the 955 now you're saying 750.
Also if you re-read what I said I mentioned the i3 is on sale at Microcenter for $99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325943)


Price per performance AMD wins hands down.

Now I did read you're links one is a good comparison but I think you may have missed the point. They are saying that the chips are pretty much the same, as I said. They are saying that AMD is cheaper overall sure, I agree, but the i3 is 99 bucks ATM, so there goes the only thing that you had going for you pal.

Lets try and focus here. we were talking about the 955 vs the i3. these chips are very similar, I said this already. The two companies do have some similar chips indeed. but overall Intel has the crown ATM ( this could change one day, but not today)

A question for you. What does AMD have to compare to the i7 920?? Is that crickets I hear. Thanks for playing :D

Don't get me wrong here, I am an Intel fanboy, yet again as I said already, this however does not make me bias. I also happen to be a Nvidia whore as well, but as painful as it is to admit I learned the GTX 400's ATM aren't as good as the ATI cards out there doing research on them.

[Twig]

You cant compare the 955 to the i3. 955 is in a different ball park ( thats why I suggested to spend extra $ for 955 ;) ) - also 1 is dual core and other is quad core. I only suggested originally to use 955 over i3 because it is a superior chip to the i3 and cost the few extra $. And yes, like I said, dollar for dollar the 750 is a superior chip to the i3. Its on sale for $99 because no one wants a chip with integrated graphics and have to pay extra knowing they will get an external gpu anyway or just easy enough to get a mobo with onboard video. Lets be honest, if your going to buy a sound card would you be looking to spend extra $ on a mobo with onboard audio or get the mobo with other features minus the onboard audio? Exactly my point. Keep reading my post superior or not $ for $ you get what you pay for. And you taking my post out of context only to try to change the topic of discussion, I said for $ 130-150 you will not find intel processor better than AMD ( $200 yes Intel is better ), which is true, but the main POINT was to make you see how $ for $ AMD wins, its not a secret. With that being said, yes intel has the fastest ( and most expensive ) processors on the market ( at the higher processor levels ). If your loaded and dont care about $ , yes get the intel, if your cost conscience and want the best bang for you buck, get AMD. Really cant express it any clearer about $, processors, and results. All I am saying : there are better options for $99.

P.S Everything will drop with new 6 core out any day now

[yann3804]

Well I have an i7 on a 1156 platform. For me I upgrade waay too often so I saved a few bucks on it. I also have an i3 now with an EVGA h55 Mobo that I haven't put together yet(still waiting on the case window to be cut :( ) For the money it seems this far DAMN good.

I have seen a deal @ my local store that was selling both i3 dual core and motherboard for less than 100 bucks.

Id suggest you checking this review

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588.html

[Detale]

You cant compare the 955 to the i3. 955 is in a different ball park ( thats why I suggested to spend extra $ for 955 ;) ) - also 1 is dual core and other is quad core. I only suggested originally to use 955 over i3 because it is a superior chip to the i3 and cost the few extra $. And yes, like I said, dollar for dollar the 750 is a superior chip to the i3. Its on sale for $99 because no one wants a chip with integrated graphics and have to pay extra knowing they will get an external gpu anyway or just easy enough to get a mobo with onboard video. Lets be honest, if your going to buy a sound card would you be looking to spend extra $ on a mobo with onboard audio or get the mobo with other features minus the onboard audio? Exactly my point. Keep reading my post superior or not $ for $ you get what you pay for. And you taking my post out of context only to try to change the topic of discussion, I said for $ 130-150 you will not find intel processor better than AMD ( $200 yes Intel is better ), which is true, but the main POINT was to make you see how $ for $ AMD wins, its not a secret. With that being said, yes intel has the fastest ( and most expensive ) processors on the market ( at the higher processor levels ). If your loaded and dont care about $ , yes get the intel, if your cost conscience and want the best bang for you buck, get AMD. Really cant express it any clearer about $, processors, and results. All I am saying : there are better options for $99.

P.S Everything will drop with new 6 core out any day now

Well no that is not what you said on a few sentences there buddy. you said as I quoted the 955 is better than the i3, now you're dancing around the issues. My point was that it was very good for the money that's all.

It's not that no one wants the i3's, Intel is just marketing a budget chip, I imagine to get some of the AMD crowd on their side. The argument could be made that AMD is so cheap because no one wants them :dabs:
You DO get what you pay for and no one would buy AMD if they were priced evenly to Intel.

To be fair I agree the prices will drop with the 6 core CPU's but I don't think they'll drop right away.



I have seen a deal @ my local store that was selling both i3 dual core and motherboard for less than 100 bucks.

Link, name of store, something. Where do you live?

[Twig]

Well I have an i7 on a 1156 platform. For me I upgrade waay too often so I saved a few bucks on it. I also have an i3 now with an EVGA h55 Mobo that I haven't put together yet(still waiting on the case window to be cut :( ) For the money it seems this far DAMN good.

I have seen a deal @ my local store that was selling both i3 dual core and motherboard for less than 100 bucks.

Id suggest you checking this review

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588.html

If you read this post you would see that this exact review ( conclusion / summary page link ) is located in the last post I made ;) Good luck finding i3 with a mobo for $99 . ( maybe broken or used or in euro ) :D

[Detale]

I read that page. Lets remember that they are talking about gaming, which is fine but here is a quote from your link.

"Moderately lower gaming value won’t prevent some users from buying a Core i3-, i5-, or i7-series processor for Intel’s superiority in many non-gaming applications"

That about sums it up

[yann3804]

Anyway, if you're into gaming, get a Phenom II. The X4 lower edition has been proven to be as fast as the i7 920.

[Detale]

Anyway??