Sandy or Ivy i5 for new gaming build - $250

[HelpMeObi]

Anyone have a chart or knowledge on what I should get as my cpu. It's a fresh build with an old mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136038

Using a Sapphire Radeon HD 6870.

I don't want to spend more than $250, and all I will be using this for will be casual internet and gaming (Guild Wars 2 as maxed out as possible). - I've heard the i5 2500k is good.

Thanks all for your help. Live long and prosper!

 

[birrdd123]

You would need to upgrade your motherboard as well to use an i5. Theyre LGA 1155. Your board is 775, so it wont be compatible with the SB or IB i5s.

If you dont plan to overclock, you could grab an i5 2400 and a cheap MOBO for 250. That would still play any game, and never bottleneck the 6870.

 

[HelpMeObi]

Rats. Guess I know what to upgrade first then. You wouldn't happen to have any mobos in mind that pair well with an i5 and my Radeon HD 6870?

budget for a mobo would be ~ $150

 

[amuffin]

i3-2100 $105 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
Total: $235

i3 deal ends today!

Cheaper board:
Asrock Z77 Pro 3 $109 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297

 

[HelpMeObi]

i3-2100 $105 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
Total: $235

i3 deal ends today!

Cheaper board:
Asrock Z77 Pro 3 $109 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297

Amuffin,

That looks pretty good, but I was leaning towards an i5 (budget of no more than $250).

I like the motherboard you linked though! Thanks!

 

[amuffin]

Your budget is not enough for an i5.

 

[HelpMeObi]

I can't buy an i5 with $250? I didn't mean I needed an mobo + cpu all for under $250.

 

[amuffin]

You never specified that...

Then go with an i5-2500k and one of the boards above.

 

[HelpMeObi]

Sorry, thought I did : )

any reason that an i5 2500k will be better than an i5 ivy-bridge? -other than being slightly cheaper? I appreciate the help!!

 

[amuffin]

It runs cooler, btw did you know the i5-3570k only performs 3% faster on average? This really doesn't justify the amount of extra money being payed, when you can just overclock the 2500k!

 

[HelpMeObi]

It runs cooler, btw did you know the i5-3570k only performs 3% faster on average? This really doesn't justify the amount of extra money being payed, when you can just overclock the 2500k!

Only 3% ??? Geez... Thanks Amuffin - you saved me some money!

 

[HelpMeObi]

Best answer selected by HelpMeObi.