I5-750 or i7-860

[wintermint]

Guys right now I'm deciding between a core i5-750 ($180) and core i7-860 ($200). Is hyperthreading worth the extra $20? If it is justifiable, I don't mind dishing out an additional $20. However, the CPU is for my "family computer". My family will use it for light gaming (hopefully only at that...), internet, media, word docs, etc. No one will be doing anything extensive like video encoding or w/e. Can someone help me out here? If it's also possible, then can someone recommend me a good motherboard under $200 or so? I will not crossfire or sli.

 

[thefivetheory]

I'm assuming you're buying at Microcenter. To be honest for what you're doing, hyperthreading most likely won't have any visible impact. However, for only $20 it's higher-clocked to begin with so personally I'd probably go for the 860.

 

[swifty_morgan]

860.

 

[saaiello]

For the $20 extra go for the 860.

 

[warmon6]

well normally i would be saying core i5 750 although just for $20 more, You get a higher GHz cpu and with HT you would be giving the computer a lot of breathing room.

If your wanting a long term cpu, (not wanting to upgrade for a long while) i would just get 860. If it been like my Pentium 4 Ht cpu, it should last 5 years or more for what your doing.

 

[warmon6]

As for motherboards, what are you wanting out of it? Cheapest price, mATX, USB 3.0, ect . I see you dont need SLI/CF so that makes it easier.


I throw out a few boards from Microcenter.

Cheapest MB that can use core i7 860,
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328118

USB 3.0 Motherboard:
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328212

 

[randomkid]

+1 on the 860 for only $20 more.

Here is another not so expensive option if you prefer a full ATX motherboard over micro:
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0319624

By the way, have you selected a video card or you prefer an onboard video?
If you want one with onboard video, here's one for a few $ more but still way below your $200 budget :
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0326528

 

[warmon6]

By the way, have you selected a video card or you prefer an onboard video?
If you want one with onboard video, here's one for a few $ more but still way below your $200 budget :
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0326528

Unless i missed something, Those H55 and H57 boards, gpu are build into the select core i3 and i5 cpus. There not build into the MB like the core 2 cpu MBs were.

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=vOvmywqPUY78qUzh

 

[randomkid]

Unless i missed something, Those H55 and H57 boards, gpu are build into the select core i3 and i5 cpus. There not build into the MB like the core 2 cpu MBs were.

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=vOvmywqPUY78qUzh

Oh really? It is something new I learn today... Thanks!
I will read up on it...

 

[ekoostik]

For $20 more - I vote 860. It sounds like it may be more than you need, but for $20 more you get a lot more out of your processor. I thought it was a deal last fall when Microcenter was selling it for $230. $200 is a steal. As warmon6 said, you get a CPU with Hyper Threading and a faster GHz - but not only is the stock speed faster, the Turbo modes crank up more as well.

Warmon6 is also correct about the video capabilities as well. To use integrated/onboard video you must have two appropriate components: First, your CPU must have integrated video built into it. This can be found on the i3 and i5 6xx CPUs. (In other words, it is not on the i5 750 or i7 8xx CPUs, or for that matter on the socket 1366 i7 9xx CPUs). Second, your motherboard must make use of the CPUs integrated video. This can be found on boards with the H55, H57, Q55, or Q57 chipset.

Mix and match an integrated video CPU with a non-onboard video motherboard, or an onboard video motherboard with a non-integrated video CPU and you'll need a discrete graphics card.

I can recommend the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 motherboard if you don't need CF/SLI capabilities and you don't have many expansion cards. It doesn't have Gigabytes newer USB 3.0/SATA3 technology, and it's mATX, but it is much cheaper than many alternatives and Gigabyte has fully exposed BIOS settings that are on its higher end cards.
I see it listed as $110 at Microcenter: http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0318192
It's $105 with free shipping right now from NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405&cm_re=GA-P55M-UD2-_-13-128-405-_-Product

Here's a review: http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3652

 

[warmon6]

Oh really? It is something new I learn today... Thanks!
I will read up on it...

np

 

[randomkid]

For $20 more - I vote 860. It sounds like it may be more than you need, but for $20 more you get a lot more out of your processor. I thought it was a deal last fall when Microcenter was selling it for $230. $200 is a steal. As warmon6 said, you get a CPU with Hyper Threading and a faster GHz - but not only is the stock speed faster, the Turbo modes crank up more as well.

Warmon6 is also correct about the video capabilities as well. To use integrated/onboard video you must have two appropriate components: First, your CPU must have integrated video built into it. This can be found on the i3 and i5 6xx CPUs. (In other words, it is not on the i5 750 or i7 8xx CPUs, or for that matter on the socket 1366 i7 9xx CPUs). Second, your motherboard must make use of the CPUs integrated video. This can be found on boards with the H55, H57, Q55, or Q57 chipset.

Mix and match an integrated video CPU with a non-onboard video motherboard, or an onboard video motherboard with a non-integrated video CPU and you'll need a discrete graphics card.

I can recommend the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 motherboard if you don't need CF/SLI capabilities and you don't have many expansion cards. It doesn't have Gigabytes newer USB 3.0/SATA3 technology, and it's mATX, but it is much cheaper than many alternatives and Gigabyte has fully exposed BIOS settings that are on its higher end cards.
I see it listed as $110 at Microcenter: http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0318192
It's $105 with free shipping right now from NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405&cm_re=GA-P55M-UD2-_-13-128-405-_-Product

Here's a review: http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3652

This is very good read for me too... simplified everything.... Thanks also...