[SOLVED] Need help with new computer(i3 8100 vs i5 8400 pc).

[qw-bit]

Hello,

I have shortlisted two systems: 1. Lenovo V530 tower PC(Intel core i3 8100), 2. Lenovo thinkcentreM720 tower PC(Intel core i5 8400).

I will these computers only for programming and web browsing, I will not play any games whatsoever. And, I will buy 16gb ddr4 2400mhz RAM and an SSD for the system.

I will just use some coding software and will use a couple of coding languages: Python, C++, R, MS Excel (VBA), and might use Matlab. So, please tell me which one I should buy.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I5 8400 is a much better cpu, but the 8100 is still powerfull and will do everything you need very well.

 

[qw-bit]

I5 8400 is a much better cpu, but the 8100 is still powerfull and will do everything you need very well.

Can I use it for at least 3 to 4 years, again just for programming?
And I will work with medium size databases too, mostly with Postgre SQL or MySQL.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Should be able to. I dont do any heavy coding, just a little web markup, but it should do most tasks well.

 

[Impu7se]

i5 8400 has only like 15% higher pereformance. I would say that for editing, rendering programming etc... Cpu and ram are the two most important parts. so you should look up to different processors on cpu.userbecnchmarks.com which is the best processor for you. There you can also compare processors to each other.

 

[TerryLaze]

i5 8400 has only like 15% higher pereformance.

Huh? He is not talking about gaming here...
the i5-8400 has ~10% higher clocks and 33% more cores.
This will help a lot with compiling but only if you actually compile large enough projects and often enough for it to matter.
It will also help with big databases but unless you try I don't think there is a way to know how fast or slow it's gonna run on the i3.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Both should work fine for your needs. If you really want to compile large db and run a lot of parallized code, you could look for a ryzen 5 1600/2600 or ryzen 7 system, for 12 and 16 threads respectively. The i3 has 4 threads and I5 has 6, meaning they will work well but ryzen typically is better for "Work tasks".https://www.amazon.com/HP-Performance-Flagship-Desktop-Bluetooth/dp/B07MP5MX7W

 

[qw-bit]

I have searched a little and found a computer with Ryzen 5 2400G, but it is a quad-core CPU and the price of the two PC's (one with the i5 8400) is same.
So, finally, I have chosen to go with the i5 8400, I think it will be much more future proof than an i3 8100.

And thank you for the replies.

 

[Impu7se]

I have searched a little and found a computer with Ryzen 5 2400G, but it is a quad-core CPU and the price of the two PC's (one with the i5 8400) is same.
So, finally, I have chosen to go with the i5 8400, I think it will be much more future proof than an i3 8100.

And thank you for the replies.

I think you did the right choice 😀