Will the extra 400 MHz matter?

[Kai Dowin]

I'm on the market for a new computer which will be used for software development. I rely on heavy IDEs and virtualization of minor linux boxes and my current Core i5 2450M is starting to show it's age for such an enterprise.

I'm torn between the Core i5 4440, a 3.1/3.3GHz part and the Core i5 4690, a 3.5/3.9GHz part. The former goes for US$230 in here and the latter will set me back US$295.

What I'd like to ask you is if you think that this not so small extra for the processor will justify the gains provided by the 400 MHz base clock, 600 MHz boost clock added frequency.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-4440+%40+3.10GHz
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-4690+%40+3.50GHz
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-2450M+%40+2.50GHz

I see better prices listed (if available)... real-time and single thread performance will be better... but I don't think you will notice anything in typical tasks... it will just be in the back of your mind wondering IF? B )

 

[DonkeyOatie]

You will notice the improvement from what you have, and if you got the 4690 and used it for a while, then swapped back to the 4440, you would notice that too. However, it will be hard to tell the difference without a direct comparison. Last summer I worked with a full range of Haswell processors from the 3.2Ghz G3258 through the 4.8Ghz 4690K, and now the 4.8Ghz 4790K, including the i3 4130, i5 4590, and Xeon 1231v3.

If you use your system for making money or serious hobby, the increase in performance is worth it. 5% to 10% faster means that much increase in productivity. How long do you think it will take to 'earn' that $60 back? For lighter tasks where only one core is used, the difference will be closer to 600Mhz, based on the TurboBoost.

 

[Kai Dowin]

Very reasonable answer, Donkey. I'll have it as the solution.

The bulk of my work is done on computers provided by my company. Since this new machine's focus will be side projects, I believe the Core i5 4440 will be the cleverer choice since I wouldn't make much (if any) more money with the added productivity provided by the faster 4690. After hearing you I decided that I'd only go for the 4690 if this machine were my bread and butter.

I also believe I won't be disappointed. Coming from a dual core, low clocked Sandy Bridge part, I'm sure my problems will be mostly solved.