Sandy Bridge 2500k vs. 2600

[ZForce915]

I've run across an opportunity to purchase a Sandy Bridge 2600 chip for the same price of a 2500k chip. I'm having trouble deciding if it makes sense to get the 2600.

I will hopefully be putting this in a new Z68 mobo soon.

 

[Rozbwen]

I'd say if you don't want to overclock then get the 2600. If you do want to overclock then get the 2500k.

Also if you need the hyper threading then 2600 will give you that but you sacrifice the ability to overclock.

 

[ZForce915]

I'd like to have the option to overclock but realistically in the 10+ years I've worked on and played with computers I never have.

 

[Rozbwen]

I don't think it makes sense to go for the 2600 then unless you want the hyper threading without paying the higher price of the 2600k.

The difference in speed is .1 Ghz between the 2500k and the 2600. But with the 2500k you could over clock it above that if you want to.

Personally I went for the 2500k but I also don't use applications that use hyper threading.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

In the comparison between the Intel® Core™ i7-2600 vs. the Intel Core i5-2500K, the main thing you should look at is what you are going to be doing with the processor. If you are going to be mainly gaming then the Intel Core i5-2500K is going to be the better processor for you. Right now very few games will take advantage of more than 3 threads, so the value of hyper-threading in minimal for gaming. Now if you are going to be doing video/audio or some other heavy multi-threaded work than the value of the Intel Core i7-2600 goes up a great deal.
In the battle of features Intel Core i7-2600 vs. Intel Core i5-2500K:
Intel Core i7-2600:
-Hyper-threading (giving total support for up to 8 threads)
-100MHz faster
-Support VT-d (directed I/O)
-Support for TXT (Trusted Execution Technology)
-Intel HD 2000 graphics
Intel Core i5-2500K:
-Unlocked multiplier (allows the processor to be overclocked)
-Intel HD 3000 graphics
http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=52213,52210,

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[kajabla]

If you get a 2500k, definitely OC. No reason not to, and it gets great results.

 

[Emperus]

The i5 2500k has an unlocked multiplier for easier overclocks along with a better on die video chip compared to the i7 2600.. The i7 2600 has only HT as an exclusive feature.. If you do not need any of it (HT or overclockability or better on die video chip) then go for the i5 2400.. Save cash to invest on some other component..

Scenarios wherein you won't need all or either of those features -

1. HT - not required for gaming and/or general desktop use..

2. Overclockability - not required if you have a mid range single GPU configuration in which case, turbo clocks will be plenty..

 

[ZForce915]

Best answer selected by ZForce915.