Phenom II X4 965 vs i7-2600k

[dturner0528]

I have an odd and probably very easily answered question, but in case I'm wrong, I'd rather ask you quasi-professionals than potentially waste several hours for minimal gain.
I recently came to be the owner of a free i7-2600k computer. It was a work computer for a client that the company I work for does IT work for. About a week ago, the computer refused to turn on whatsoever, and after minimal troubleshooting, the company decided that it was not cost effective to spend any more time on it and just tossed it and used a new one (They had like 6 spares)
My company is fine with the technician (myself) collecting old parts from client's old computers as long as the client is properly taken care of and we have a decent amount of used 'backup' in stock. I noticed that the case said 'i7' on it, so I figured i'd just take the whole thing and look at the innards later to try to tell what's up.

I get home and open it and see immediately that it has 8Gbs of 1333 DDR3 ram. (2-4Gb sticks). Not back. I see the 500GB Western Digital Blue hard Drive. Not bad either. I take the heatsink/fan off and wipe the thermal paste off the CPU revealing the i7-2600K tag. Well, kick ass!
I applied a bit of Arctic Silver and reinstalled the fan. I figured I'd start at the top with trying to figure out why it wouldn't boot and installed an old PSU that I had left over from a previous salvage. The thing started right up! Huzzah!

So now, finally, my question: HOW MUCH better is an Intel i7-2600K than an AMD Phenom II X4 965? Sounds stupid, I know, but I'm serious.

My current build was done on a massive Black Friday sale budget, but it has served me amazingly for almost 4 years. The Phenom (4 cores, overclocked stable to 3.7), Xigmatek Gaia aftermarket heatsink, 8 GBs of 1600 DDR3 (2-4GB sticks), 256 GB SSD, 1 TB HDD, AMD HD Radeon 5770 GPU. This build has served very well and has played every game I've ever tried on default Ultra High settings. It boots up to ready in about 10 seconds and is actually very cool with the Xigmatek heatsink, even for a Phenom. Fastest computer I've ever used, honestly. I've never had any problems. (Actually, I am just recently with the GPU; artifacts and whatnot, but that's a different story.)

Would it be worth it to trade the Phenom and AMD motherboard out for the i7 and Intel motherboard?
I know that the i7 has hyperthreading capibilities, essentially making it an 8 core. It also has 2 more MB of L3 cache than the Phenom. It's default clock is the same, which is great.
I've also noticed that the Intel motherboard only has 2 ram slots, vs my current AMD motherboard having 4. If I stuck with the Phenom, I could take the extra RAM from the Intel board and add it to my AMD board. (I know, it's not typically recommended to use different RAM speeds with each other, but I've never noticed any issue in doing it before). I could then have 16GB vs my current 8GB.

Obviously there's the physical work; removing and moving, reinstalling the Xigmatek heatsink (I HATE HATE HATE the way Intel heatsinks mount; I've broken several). But then there's the driver issue of moving brand name processors and motherboards and everything. It'd almost be easier to do a clean Win7 install than fight with the potential issues that could arise. This, of course, takes time though.

The i7 will OBVIOUSLY be better than the Phenom. My question is, HOW MUCH better? Will it be noticable? Will it work any better in my gaming/ media (my primary use for this computer)? Will it be worth the time an effort spent working on it? Will it be THAT much more 'future proof'? Will my current Phenom with 16GB of RAM be comparable to the i7 with 8GB or RAM? Any thoughts would be great.

P.S. I love my job. Free stuff galore.

 

[LucoTF]

I reckon 75-100% faster, depending on what you're doing. sick catch brah

 

[RobCrezz]

Its a massive boost, the 2600k is still a top tier CPU - It also overclocks like a beast if you can get a Z68 or Z77 motherboard and a good cpu cooler.


Heres some benchmarks comparing the 2 cpus:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/287?vs=102

 

[DasHotShot]

In short, the i7 is a VASTLY better cpu than the Phenom.

If you want numbers you can google them, however to put it in real terms: Most tasks that require number crunching, games generally anything requiring more than average CPU power will be handled much better.

Don't change a winning team...well in this case, add a superstar to your winning team and make sure it remains just that.

In my opinion, as you got such a nice component free, I would almost get a new, better mobo for it and swap the rest of your parts from the amd build onto the intel platform. RAM GPU etc.

I would even consider getting a newer GPU now, as this processor could handle more juice with ease and give you effectively a much stronger build for very little money as you got the cpu free.

 

[cemerian]

they are in completely different leagues, the phenom is so much slower in everything not to mention how much faster the i7 is once you overclock it, for gaming it will be faster in all the games, but the big difference would be mmo's, rts's, online games basically everything that is cpu dependent will see a big gain

 

[dturner0528]

In short, the i7 is a VASTLY better cpu than the Phenom.

If you want numbers you can google them, however to put it in real terms: Most tasks that require number crunching, games generally anything requiring more than average CPU power will be handled much better.

Don't change a winning team...well in this case, add a superstar to your winning team and make sure it remains just that.

In my opinion, as you got such a nice component free, I would almost get a new, better mobo for it and swap the rest of your parts from the amd build onto the intel platform. RAM GPU etc.

I would even consider getting a newer GPU now, as this processor could handle more juice with ease and give you effectively a much stronger build for very little money as you got the cpu free.

I actually AM looking at a new GPU anyways, seeing as how my Radeon 5770 seems to be on its way out (artifacts and becoming very sketchy lately, even after a good cleaning). I have to keep all the graphics settings at Low in order to have the games really be playable now anyways.
Was looking at ths:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125502
I don't have much money to toss around, and this seems to be a good bang for the buck card, especially seeing as how I have a few Phys-X games that my Radeon never liked.

 

[DasHotShot]

In short, the i7 is a VASTLY better cpu than the Phenom.

If you want numbers you can google them, however to put it in real terms: Most tasks that require number crunching, games generally anything requiring more than average CPU power will be handled much better.

Don't change a winning team...well in this case, add a superstar to your winning team and make sure it remains just that.

In my opinion, as you got such a nice component free, I would almost get a new, better mobo for it and swap the rest of your parts from the amd build onto the intel platform. RAM GPU etc.

I would even consider getting a newer GPU now, as this processor could handle more juice with ease and give you effectively a much stronger build for very little money as you got the cpu free.

I actually AM looking at a new GPU anyways, seeing as how my Radeon 5770 seems to be on its way out (artifacts and becoming very sketchy lately, even after a good cleaning). I have to keep all the graphics settings at Low in order to have the games really be playable now anyways.
Was looking at ths:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125502
I don't have much money to toss around, and this seems to be a good bang for the buck card, especially seeing as how I have a few Phys-X games that my Radeon never liked.

That is the entry level reference at the moment and will slot in effortlessly. Try and see what an r9 270 goes for in comparison, that is what a ps4 uses effectively

 

[dturner0528]

In short, the i7 is a VASTLY better cpu than the Phenom.

If you want numbers you can google them, however to put it in real terms: Most tasks that require number crunching, games generally anything requiring more than average CPU power will be handled much better.

Don't change a winning team...well in this case, add a superstar to your winning team and make sure it remains just that.

In my opinion, as you got such a nice component free, I would almost get a new, better mobo for it and swap the rest of your parts from the amd build onto the intel platform. RAM GPU etc.

I would even consider getting a newer GPU now, as this processor could handle more juice with ease and give you effectively a much stronger build for very little money as you got the cpu free.

I actually AM looking at a new GPU anyways, seeing as how my Radeon 5770 seems to be on its way out (artifacts and becoming very sketchy lately, even after a good cleaning). I have to keep all the graphics settings at Low in order to have the games really be playable now anyways.
Was looking at ths:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125502
I don't have much money to toss around, and this seems to be a good bang for the buck card, especially seeing as how I have a few Phys-X games that my Radeon never liked.

That is the entry level reference at the moment and will slot in effortlessly. Try and see what an r9 270 goes for in comparison, that is what a ps4 uses effectively

It looks like the r9 270 varies in price; it can be at the same level, depending on the brand. I WOULD prefer the r9 270 to the GTX 750 ti. Will this be any good at Phys-X hardware games though? So far as I know, unless its a Phys-X enabled Nvidia card, performance really is not guaranteed.

Edit: Mods, I'm sorry, I know the subject of this post has changed now. I can take this question to the proper section.

 

[DasHotShot]

In short, the i7 is a VASTLY better cpu than the Phenom.

If you want numbers you can google them, however to put it in real terms: Most tasks that require number crunching, games generally anything requiring more than average CPU power will be handled much better.

Don't change a winning team...well in this case, add a superstar to your winning team and make sure it remains just that.

In my opinion, as you got such a nice component free, I would almost get a new, better mobo for it and swap the rest of your parts from the amd build onto the intel platform. RAM GPU etc.

I would even consider getting a newer GPU now, as this processor could handle more juice with ease and give you effectively a much stronger build for very little money as you got the cpu free.

I actually AM looking at a new GPU anyways, seeing as how my Radeon 5770 seems to be on its way out (artifacts and becoming very sketchy lately, even after a good cleaning). I have to keep all the graphics settings at Low in order to have the games really be playable now anyways.
Was looking at ths:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125502
I don't have much money to toss around, and this seems to be a good bang for the buck card, especially seeing as how I have a few Phys-X games that my Radeon never liked.

That is the entry level reference at the moment and will slot in effortlessly. Try and see what an r9 270 goes for in comparison, that is what a ps4 uses effectively

It looks like the r9 270 varies in price; it can be at the same level, depending on the brand. I WOULD prefer the r9 270 to the GTX 750 ti. Will this be any good at Phys-X hardware games though? So far as I know, unless its a Phys-X enabled Nvidia card, performance really is not guaranteed.

Edit: Mods, I'm sorry, I know the subject of this post has changed now. I can take this question to the proper section.

Physx is pretty overrated I think and at that level of GPU can be done without. If you are looking at the overall performance and possibility of running some games till at least next year the 270 will hold you in much better stead.

 

[dturner0528]

In short, the i7 is a VASTLY better cpu than the Phenom.

If you want numbers you can google them, however to put it in real terms: Most tasks that require number crunching, games generally anything requiring more than average CPU power will be handled much better.

Don't change a winning team...well in this case, add a superstar to your winning team and make sure it remains just that.

In my opinion, as you got such a nice component free, I would almost get a new, better mobo for it and swap the rest of your parts from the amd build onto the intel platform. RAM GPU etc.

I would even consider getting a newer GPU now, as this processor could handle more juice with ease and give you effectively a much stronger build for very little money as you got the cpu free.

I actually AM looking at a new GPU anyways, seeing as how my Radeon 5770 seems to be on its way out (artifacts and becoming very sketchy lately, even after a good cleaning). I have to keep all the graphics settings at Low in order to have the games really be playable now anyways.
Was looking at ths:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125502
I don't have much money to toss around, and this seems to be a good bang for the buck card, especially seeing as how I have a few Phys-X games that my Radeon never liked.

That is the entry level reference at the moment and will slot in effortlessly. Try and see what an r9 270 goes for in comparison, that is what a ps4 uses effectively

It looks like the r9 270 varies in price; it can be at the same level, depending on the brand. I WOULD prefer the r9 270 to the GTX 750 ti. Will this be any good at Phys-X hardware games though? So far as I know, unless its a Phys-X enabled Nvidia card, performance really is not guaranteed.

Edit: Mods, I'm sorry, I know the subject of this post has changed now. I can take this question to the proper section.

Physx is pretty overrated I think and at that level of GPU can be done without. If you are looking at the overall performance and possibility of running some games till at least next year the 270 will hold you in much better stead.

I agree to it being overrated; I'd just rather not spend $150+ on a card that really won't play some of my games. Are you saying that at this high of a card level, the r9 (combined with the i7) should be able to handle the Physx fine, or are you saying that at this level, Physx really isn't necessary for the effects that it offers? I just want to make sure I'm understanding.

Edit: I know that most Physx games can be altered to have the CPU run it, not the GPU. Maybe with the i7, that'll be enough?

 

[spdragoo]

http://anandtech.com/bench/product/102?vs=287

Is it better? Yes, it is.

Is it noticeably better? That depends. I don't personally create flash videos, don't create a lot of zipped files, & do very little actual media encoding, so those benchmarks mean nothing to me personally. And while I use Excel quite a bit, I don't have spreadsheets that are so large I can measure their calculation times in seconds, so that's also a meaningless benchmark to me.

As for the gaming benchmarks...my monitor tops out at sub-1080p (1600x900 max resolution) & 60Hz refresh, so once it hits 60FPS I'm not going to see any performance change (especially with vsynch enabled). Since almost every game benchmark shows the Phenom getting 60+ FPS -- & the 2 that don't show it getting 50+ FPS -- I doubt you'll actually notice a whole lot of performance boost. Especially with your current GPU, as it's going to bottleneck the i7.

Then, of course, there's the "clean reinstall of Windows" hassle you'd have to deal with.

Personally, I think the cheaper way to get an increase in performance is to replace your GPU. However, if you start to see your GPU lagging behind, I would definitely go for a new board to match the i7 along with a new GPU, as even an FX chip (if even available for your current board) is going to be slightly below that i7.

 

[dturner0528]

Update:
I went ahead and installed the i7-2600k and Intel Mobo in place of the Phenom II x4 965 and reinstalled the OS and WHEW! Night and day difference.
The biggest surprise is that my Alice: Madness Returns game now works near flawlessly, without changing any of the default Phys-X settings. I'm not sure if this is attributed to the difference in the number of cores, or how Intel utilizes them. Maybe has to do with the fact that, however crappy, the i7 has built in graphics and is a least built to be able to 'game' by itself. The Phenom does not have built in graphics at all; I needed a separate card for it to work.
Just a fun observation. Thanks for your help, guys!