I3 7350k or 7100 for budget low-power HTPC & home server

[krazynutz]

Hey all, quick question.

I'm building a low-power, 24/7, budget htpc/home server in a mini itx case. I can get a great deal (new) on a cpu/mobo combo where a gigabyte H270 itx wifi board is only $50 and I can put a 7100 or 7350k with it. Not OCing (obviously) and not adding GPU for gaming.

7100 is $120
7350k is $130 ($140 w/cooler).

So, for a $20 (total) difference, is the 7350k worth it? Even without overclocking? Will I notice a difference in multitasking, streaming, read/write speeds, etc?

Thanks!

 

[kanewolf]

What about an embedded motherboard with a quad core Celeron -- https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007623%208000%204814&IsNodeId=1 That is really the best low power option.

 

[samer.forums]

you wont notice the difference for home server. Actually you can even get a low power Intel Core i3-7100T that is only 35 watts TDP for very quiet operation or Passive cooling (0 noise) .

https://ark.intel.com/products/97485/Intel-Core-i3-7100T-Processor-3M-Cache-3_40-GHz

 

[superninja12]

or a raspberry pi 3

 

[krazynutz]

Thanks guys. As much as I can appreciate the lower-power options, I'd like to keep some performance and I really can only choose between the two cpus that I listed (to get the deal on the mobo). I'm not ruling out using it as a modest gaming rig in the future so I don't want to be locked into a soldered set.

So for home server (videos, pics, etc), Plex Server, Amazon/Netflix/Hulu, LogMeIn/TeamViewer, and the potential for future modest gaming, is the 7350k worth the extra $20 (incl cooler)?

Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks guys. As much as I can appreciate the lower-power options, I'd like to keep some performance and I really can only choose between the two cpus that I listed (to get the deal on the mobo). I'm not ruling out using it as a modest gaming rig in the future so I don't want to be locked into a soldered set.

So for home server (videos, pics, etc), Plex Server, Amazon/Netflix/Hulu, LogMeIn/TeamViewer, and the potential for future modest gaming, is the 7350k worth the extra $20 (incl cooler)?

Thanks!

In a blind test, I defy anyone to tell the difference between those 2 CPUs.

Either will be fine.