Intel Xeon 1230v2 as a gaming CPU?

[Hanlet]

This will be my first build and my neighbour has offered me a used Xeon 1230 V2. I wasn't planning on buying Xeon or a used CPU but I know first hand that it's has very little use. I am on a budget and could probably get it for around £100.

If I pair it with a GTX 770 on a Z77 ITX board, will it work and will that CPU perform without significantly bottlenecking the GPU? Or is it worth paying an extra £50-60 for a new 4670K?

Ideally, I'd like to game at 1080p with high settings for at least the next couple of years. Any information on the CPU or other suggestions for the build are welcome. Thanks.

 

[rgd1101]

it not a bad processor for gaming. and it cheap.

 

[WoodenSaucer]

Here is the rundown on the Xeon E3-1230v2 vs the i5 4670k.

The 4670k is a newer proc, and it does a little better at single core performance. But the Xeon is closer to a last gen i7, and it includes hyperthreading. The Xeon wins at about everything other than single core performance. In my opinion, the Xeon would be excellent for gaming, especially since more future games will take advantage of hyperthreading. It wouldn't be worth it to spend that much more to get a 4670k.

 

[CTurbo]

That Xeon is basically an i7 3770 without integrated graphics. It's great at everything. My lil bro has that exact Xeon on a B75 board and it's a beast at everything.

 

[Obnoxious]

Just to point it out if you don't already know, or have not realised; both the Xeon E3 1230v2 and i7-4670k require different motherboard sockets, so you'll need a different motherboard if you desire to use an i7 (or Xeon), hence you should consider this in your costs, if you have not already.

Xeon E3 1230v2: LGA 1155
i7-4670k: LGA 1150

However the Xeon E3 1230v3 (v3, not 2) is for socket 1150.

To answer your question, firstly ensure motherboard compatibility. If you're going with the i7-4670k, ensure your motherboard has the prefix "z" for example, Z97. The z motherboard, plus a K edition CPU (i7-4670k) will allow you to overclock. Therefore if you're planning to overclock, the 4670k would be ideal. FYI, k edition CPU's are designed for overclocking hence have an unlocked CPU multiplier, otherwise if you're not planning to overclock, save your funds and do not purchase a k edition CPU or a z motherboard.

The Xeon is not a bad performer by any means however. It provides a similar performance to an i7-3770, but is designed for servers; hence does not have integrated graphics, therefore you'll need a graphics card to run your system.

Bottlenecks will always exist with whatever CPU your chose, however some CPU's may provide a less of a "bottleneck." However Xeon E3 1230v2 won't handicap your system too severely; it is still a high-end CPU.

If you do go with the Xeon E3 1230v2 it should be noted that it's a socket 1155 CPU, and Intel no longer produce CPU's for that socket. 1155 was also designed for Sandy and Ivy Bridge, 2nd and 3rd generation CPU's respectively. We're currently mid way on 4th gen, and 5th gen will be released towards the end of this year.

So upgrading maybe limited if you go with a 1155 motherboard. If you're planning to upgrade in the future, you're better to go with a H97 or Z97 motherboard; which are socket 1150, and are compatible with 4th gen CPU's (Haswell) and will be compatible with upcoming 5th gen (Broadwell.) With that said however, the Xeon E3 1230v2 (the one your neighbor is offering) won't be compatible, but an Xeon 1230v3 (another great performing yet cheap Xeon) will be.

All the best.

 

[CTurbo]

I agree with everything Obnoxious said, but £100 is a great price for a 1230v2 and I would jump on it. Just grab a B75 or H77 motherboard to put it in. No need to get a Z77 unless you already have it in which case the Xeon would be a no brainer.

 

[Hanlet]

Many thanks for all your replies. That was my first post and I'm astounded by the response.

I understand that I don't need the unlocking capablilities of a Z77 chipset. However, I have heard that some H77 boards can be of slightly inferior quality with less ports or poorer on onboard sound than the corresponding Z77. I was looking at the ASRock H/Z77 boards. Would this be a significant factor?

If anyone had better experience with ITX boards from other manufacturers, I'd appreciate the feedback.

 

[CTurbo]

H77 motherboards are very solid in quality. Yes some Z77 motherboards may have 2 extra USB ports and an extra PCI slot but the H77 will have all of the features you need.

 

[Hanlet]

Right, almost there. Are any H77 ITX boards particularly better than others or is it a case or any will do?

 

[logainofhades]

I would go with either of these two boards. Z77 if you want wifi, H77 if you don't. For the money, those two are your best bet. Personally, I would go with the Z77 for the wifi and M-Sata slot.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#s=14&f=8&sort=a7&m=7&c=36,52