I5 2500K vs. I7 2600K

[denisss]

What do you think, would it be worth in my case to spend the extra money for the I7 2600K, or would be the 2500K good enough? I produce music, not professionaly, but ocassionally, let say 50 hours a month. Also the non K version of 2600 is an option, since i would rather not overclock if this would mean louder computer. How much slower would the 2500 be in audio exporting and stuff like that?

Really can't decide...

 

[kajabla]

It's probably not worth it. The 2500K will perform very close to equivalently. Can professional music programs use tons of threads? If not, then definitely 2500K. If so, then it's a question of whether you think a couple of seconds on a big conversion or something are worth $100.
Definitely get the K version. It would be a waste to get either one, but especially the 2600, and not OC. OCing will not make your computer significantly louder with any kind of decent heatsink.

 

[jaguarskx]

You need to find out if the music programs you are going to use can take advantage of Hyper Threading. If so then the i7 is the better choice.

Overclocking doesn't necessarily mean louder, it depends on the heatsink/fan combo you are using. However, beyond a minor overclock of 300MHz, I recommend buying a good heatsink/fan like the Cooler Master Hyper 212+.

 

[denisss]

Yes, FL Studio takes advantage of HT. But doesn HT mean i can load more VST instruments into the program or that it will be just running and loading faster?

The cooler will be "Xigmatek Gaia"...

 

[jaguarskx]

HT affects processing. I am not familiar with music engineering software, but it should decrease the time it takes to process audio especially when you are applying filters.

 

[bishoplord]

If you can afford the extra $100 now, I'd say go for it. This way, you would never have the thought enter your head whether or not you shoulda, woulda, coulda bought the 2600k.

I was in your boat and ended up buying the 2600k. No regrets.

 

[cburke82]

Ill add in that getting the extra power under the hood now might make it possible for you to ust the rig longer. As things keep progressing you may end up getting a program in the future that would take full advantage of the i7.

 

[Houndsteeth]

Ill add in that getting the extra power under the hood now might make it possible for you to ust the rig longer. As things keep progressing you may end up getting a program in the future that would take full advantage of the i7.

This is true if you have money to spare at this point. The price difference between the 2500K and 2600K is about $100. The question the user will have to ask is whether they expect to see that much value down the road in whatever they are doing. Just keep in mind that whatever is the pip right now will be on sale for half the price next year.

 

[Outlander_04]

The absolute difference between the two is about 6% , and since the 2600 is clocked about 3% faster the real clock for clock difference is probably also about 3%

Buy the 2500K , over clock it 200 MHz and have the same performance . You wont need an aftermarket heatsink , and it wont run hot

 

[denisss]

6% also in Hyperthreading?

 

[mdd1963]

. Just keep in mind that whatever is the pip right now will be on sale for half the price next year.

The 980x was about $1000-$1099 in March of 2010 upon it's debut/initial testing....

Not always do prices fall as quickly as we'd hope them to.

 

[shanky887614]

better with the i5 2500

not worth getting the i7 2600 they are very similar


dont go for the k series unless you are going to overclock becasue thats the only difference

 

[Mvx15n]

My i7-2600 went into 4,43ghz directly without any voltage tweak, just puting the multiplier into 43 an bus to 103 in asus AI, I think the i5-2500k is not so overclocking happy as the I7-2600k.

If you are not planning on overclocking do not get the k version...