Using i5 2500k in 2018 for gaming?

[flute_meireles]

Hi guys,
I'm looking to buy some parts and build myself a little gaming pc. I've got an i5 2500k laying around, back from the time where I wanted to build a machine, but decided to get a console instead. My question is if I could still use this CPU and not having it bottlenecking a new graphics card. Also, which other problems could arise if I choose to use this i5? I'm aware I'd need an old mobo and old (slower) RAM, but would it affect performance that much? I should mention I'm aiming to play at 1080p at medium to high settings... Any help appreciated!
Cheers,
J

 

[volkgren]

With a card like a GTX 1050 Ti it would do well enough. You can even use a GTX 1060 with it especially if overclocked. Some games will find it limiting by a small amount.

Worst part about using it is finding a good motherboard. You'd want to get a Z67/Z77 to take advantage of overclocking. You will likely pay over $100 for a good used one on eBay.

Is that the only part you have? No DDR3 RAM?

 

[flute_meireles]

With a card like a GTX 1050 Ti it would do well enough. You can even use a GTX 1060 with it especially if overclocked. Some games will find it limiting by a small amount.

Worst part about using it is finding a good motherboard. You'd want to get a Z67/Z77 to take advantage of overclocking. You will likely pay over $100 for a good used one on eBay.

Is that the only part you have? No DDR3 RAM?

Thanks for the quick reply!
Yeah, the CPU is the sole component I have, aside from the case 😀
I'd already noticed those old motherboards are expensive? Why, if they're so old?
I'm looking to have better performance than consoles on multiplatform games, so do u think if I pair this OCd CPU it with a 1050ti I'd get that? Definitely not 50-60 fps but an overall better and smoother performance?...

 

[volkgren]

For the price it's the same reason a working, stock '67 Chevy is worth more now than it was when it was new in '67. Supply and demand.

Yes the 1050 Ti + 2500K can give you a decent gaming experience on med-high settings, 50-60fps. Some games perform better than others.

 

[10tacle]

This article of Sandy Bridge i7 2600K using a modern GTX 1080 should answer your question. FYI I still run my 2500K with a GTX 970 for a 1080p backup gaming rig.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/intel-sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600kthe-2018-review-time-for-an-upgrade,1.html

 

[k1114]

P67, z68 or z77. I still use my 2500k @4.5 with a 1060. Works perfectly fine for 1080p. The only issue I see is the price. You'd be spending almost new prices compared to back then. Prices haven't gone down because they are still capable so people will replace components instead of buying a new pc. With just the cpu, I may suggest just buying new components and sell the i5 depending on your budget.

 

[flute_meireles]

Thank you everybody for your replies.
I've been watching a lot of benchmarks on Youtube, and at 1080p, the overclocked 2500k seems to perform at the same level of recent platforms, maybe aside from the newer hexa-core i5s and Ryzen 5s, depending on the game. Plus, I've got a pending deal online to get a used Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 + 8 GB DDR 1600 for 170 €, which isn't bad... I'd spare the 170€ I would spend for a Ryzen 5 and get an 1060 GTX instead...
Am I being reasonable?...
Thanks

 

[flute_meireles]

P67, z68 or z77. I still use my 2500k @4.5 with a 1060. Works perfectly fine for 1080p. The only issue I see is the price. You'd be spending almost new prices compared to back then. Prices haven't gone down because they are still capable so people will replace components instead of buying a new pc. With just the cpu, I may suggest just buying new components and sell the i5 depending on your budget.

I thought of selling it too, but now I'm wondering if I could still use it and invest the money I'd spare for a new CPU on a 1060 GTX...

 

[twiglet015]

Just in case you haven't made a decision yet I'll chip in. I built my rig in 2011. 2500k, GTX580, 8GB RAM. When the GTX1080 came out I thought maybe it's time for an upgrade. I had the same question of would the cpu bottleneck the 1080? With a hole mix of answers I thought I'd just go for it. Now I've overclocked my cpu to 4.5ghz, and I've recently bought another 8gb of ram, but honestly before I bought the ram I noticed no bottleneck whatsoever.
Also with your point about the ram being slower, its only going to be DDR3 so it's not exactly stone age. It will be fine.