Intel Core i5-6500 strong enough or should I get 6600K?

[bingaloman]

Hello, I am building a computer desktop for my friend for his work. He always used laptops in the past that got really slow, so I persuaded him to get a desktop for more power.

Now he does not game at all, he will mainly be working only with software like Excel and other Microsoft applications. He also watches and streams a lot of movies on Netflix.

I was wondering would the Intel Core i5-6500 be more than enough for what he needs? Would it be slow if he were to multitask multiple spreadsheets and other applications at the same time?

The PC will also have an SSD and 16GB of RAM.

Do you guys think this is more than capable for handling multiple excel and other programs at the same time and not be slowed down? The 6600K is like $40-$50 more than the 6500 and I was wondering if it's worth getting the 6600K or save money and get the 6500? He will not be over clocking either.

Thanks!

 

[natcha12]

Mate, I have a pc at work with only 4gb ddr2 ram, a processor from 2007 and I believe a 250mb graphics card, and I have 10 chrome tabs open all the time with outlook running, so I'm pretty sure one with an i5 6500 and 16gb will do just fine 😛

Edit. On Windows 7 Pro if it helps

 

[joshmoyer]

If you're not overclocking, then the 6600k is not faster. And a 6500 would be more than enough.

 

[misteriosly]

Hello, I am building a computer desktop for my friend for his work. He always used laptops in the past that got really slow, so I persuaded him to get a desktop for more power.

Now he does not game at all, he will mainly be working only with software like Excel and other Microsoft applications. He also watches and streams a lot of movies on Netflix.

I was wondering would the Intel Core i5-6500 be more than enough for what he needs? Would it be slow if he were to multitask multiple spreadsheets and other applications at the same time?

The PC will also have an SSD and 16GB of RAM.

Do you guys think this is more than capable for handling multiple excel and other programs at the same time and not be slowed down? The 6600K is like $40-$50 more than the 6500 and I was wondering if it's worth getting the 6600K or save money and get the 6500? He will not be over clocking either.

Thanks!

This is overkill, honestly.
We are using E5700 + 2gb of ram Win10 32bit, and they are working pretty good.
If you put in such a machine SSD and it will fly.
You wont need more than i3 + 8gb of ram + ssd for activity like that except for netflix.
If he wants to stream + excel + music(youtube) + other stuff at the same time 6500 is more than fine.
I think even i3 will be enough, but im not sure @ what resolution he streams Netflix.
1080p would lean to i5, so he could freely stream + listen to youtube(1080p) + excel and other software @ the same time.
Eventually you can add more ram , but I'm sure that processor will be enough.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The 6500 is more than capable for those stated uses. Even an i3 6100 would also be fine especially when paired with an SSD and 8-16GB of RAM.

 

[natcha12]

The 6500 is more than capable for those stated uses. Even an i3 6100 would also be fine especially when paired with an SSD and 8-16GB of RAM.

Exactly. Unless you are trying to get him back into PC gaming, you are almost throwing money at Intel by getting an i5 over an i3 in this scenario. Hyperthreading 2 cores is not as good as 4 physical cores, but you seriously don't need them for excel.

Also watch out with the ssd size. Its quite likely going to be one of the most expensive part in this build bar the CPU, depending on the brand. Consider what he is using it for, using just a browser with a few documents here and there a 120gb might cut it, I use Dropbox at work that's alone 60gb, so 120 isn't good for me.

 

[bingaloman]

Thanks for the answers guys. I figured this might be a bit overkill but I just wanted to make sure. Just in case he does decide to game in the future, I guess this will start him off well.

Thanks again!