Question i3 or i5?

FluffyFlounder

Reputable
Feb 21, 2019
123
7
4,595
I am looking at a pc build around $650-$750 and I have a good motherboard to go with an Intel CPU. I am looking for something max $180, maybe a little more, but around there. I was originally looking at the i5's, but they are a little much for my budget. Will the i3-8100 become outdated anytime soon, say, within 1-2 years? Because it seems fine, but I just want some suggestions, and to make sure what the differences are between to i5-7400 and the i3-8100 (or whatever models they are).
 

WildCard999

Titan
Moderator
You can do much better for cheaper, kept the Black/Red Theme.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i5-9400F 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($169.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - B360 GAMING PLUS ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($80.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($69.95 @ Adorama)
Video Card: XFX - Radeon RX 580 4 GB GTS XXX Edition Video Card ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT - H500 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - EVO Edition 620 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Redragon - K552 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: SteelSeries - Rival 110 Wired Optical Mouse ($27.54 @ Amazon)
Other: QcK Heavy SteelSeries Mouse Pad (Medium) ($12.99)
Total: $797.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-03-13 19:30 EDT-0400


Or the Ryzen 2600...
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
Practically no difference between the i5-7400 and the i3-8100 aside from needing different motherboards.

Both quad core CPUs. 8th and 9th gen i5 have 6 cores.

6th and 7th generation chips will work on the following: B150, H110, H170, Z170, B250, H270, Z270
8th and 9th generation chips will work on the following: B360, H310, H370, Z370, Z390
 

InvalidError

Titan
Moderator
If the i5-7400 is what you already have, the i3-8xxx are simply not worth the trouble and I'd just wait for the next-gen stuff from AMD and Intel before making any purchase decision unless you have money burning holes in your pockets that you need to get rid of immediately.