Q8400 vs i5-2500k @ 3.7Ghz for gaming

[sicknasty19]

Hello. I was considering upgrading my Q8400 and motherboard to get an i5-2500k for gaming. I play a ton of games, everything from World of warcraft, diablo 3, GTA, battlefield 3, etc. I run most games on full and can't seem to do that with with battlefield 3. I tend to play BF3 on Mid/high settings and I get great FPS but every once and a while it stutters and I am hoping upgrading my processor would greatly improve my gaming preformance.

My question for you guys today is, Will I notice a considerable difference in gameplay / FPS if I upgrade my card to the i5? I don't want to spend 300 dollars (including motherboard upgrade) and get something that will help me out okay. I am looking for a game changer so to speak.

I am also worried that my 4gb of ram at 1333 will bottleneck some game considering my processor and video card.


Insert input here.

 

[rolli59]

So what is at 3.7GHz? Could it be your GPU holding you back? I5 2500K would be a nice upgrade along with 8GB ram and new motherboard which would be necessary but you will have to spend more than $300!

 

[geekapproved]

Don't you think it would be helpful to mention what video card your using?

If it's a 9600GT, I'd say that's your problem.

LOL

Nobody could possibly answer your question with the limited info you have given.

 

[xaephod]

Exactly, what GPU are you using? How much and what kind of ram?

 

[neon neophyte]

yeah the 2500k will improve bf3 multiplayer pretty drastically.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Going form the Intel® Core™ 2 Quad to a 1st generation Intel Core processor would yeild a performance improvement of around 15% to 20%. Going from 1st generation Intel Core processor to a 2nd generation Intel Core processor would yeild around 10% to 15% improvement. This is all at the same speed of all the processors in question. The about 500MHz speed difference at base clock speed and a great deal more with Turbo Boost. Now if you are doing something like gaming you may not see this big of an impact but you will still some a big improvement.

 

[geekapproved]

The cpu won't matter if he's using a 9600GT, he's still going to be gpu limited.

 

[cliffro]

He has a GTX 560 Ti. It's listed under his configuration.

 

[venjhammet]

I had an old Q8400 @ 3.2ghz with GTS250. Upgraded to 2500k with a GTX570 last year and whoah performance boost is way off chart.... Just kidding. But definitely it was a great upgrade. Of course considering today there are Ivy bridge out there that are more powerful that you might want to consider.

 

[cliffro]

To get an Ivy Bridge cpu that really tramples the 2500K he'd spend most of his budget on the CPU alone.

 

[geekapproved]

He has a GTX 560 Ti. It's listed under his configuration.

Wow, he added that pretty quick.

 

[geekapproved]

To get an Ivy Bridge cpu that really tramples the 2500K he'd spend most of his budget on the CPU alone.

$20 more for 100mhz more stock clock speed and faster clock for clock and more efficient, how is that most of his budget? Not really.

 

[cliffro]

I said "really tramples". The 3750K is ~10% faster,runs hotter and overclocks less. He'd need the 3770K to really outclass the 2500K.

And it's kinda scary too Temp/Volt/CPU speed wise as seen in this image from Anand
http://images.anandtech.com/doci/5763/4.4%20GHz,%20Vary%20Voltage_575px.png
That was using a similar cooler to mine. Intel's AIO Watercooler. My 2500K has never seen more than 65c(IBT 5 pass @ 4.7Ghz 1.3v)

There is no tangible benefit he would see in games by getting the 3750K. And the money saved could be spent on a better motherboard or an aftermarket cooler.