With an i7 setup cost more then a i5 setup beyond the CPU?

[stevedave]

Building a new computer and from what I have been reading on this site i5 750 seems to be the way I want to go. Then yesterday I see that i7 930s are on sale at microcenter. If I had a setup for the i5 750(which I don't) how much more would parts cost for the i7? I know since I don't know what I am buying there is not an exact number you can say but just in general I am assuming the motherboard will be more expensive. Does the i7 let me use better parts that cost more?

Trying to figure out if it makes sense to buy the i7 and then buy as much of the same stuff as I was for the i5 for just the extra processor power.

The best analogy I can think of is I wouldn't buy a Ferrari engine(i7) and but it in a pinto body. I would want the rest of the Ferrari but not sure how much more that would cost.

 

[Raidur]

A motherboard of the same quality will likely cost $50-75 more. That's about it if you don't include the extra you'll pay for 6BG tripple channel, but that is just extra you're getting and you aren't forced to get it.

I7 will also have better mobos at the top end. 16x/16x crossfire/sli is an example.

The ability for tripple channel memory is a plus.

Ht will help in multitasking and any programs that use it. Games will further down the road.

This is all assuming you aren't talking about the 1156 socket i7.

You will also have more of an upgrade path with 1366.

 

[enzo matrix]

The only differences would be the motherboard and RAM. The motherboard would probably be a bit more expensive but the sale on the i7 would make up for it if the i7 on sale costs less than the i5. For the ram you would need to get triple channel memory as opposed to dual channel so you would be looking at either 3GB or 6GB unless you want to throw running your ram in channels out the window. There would be a performance hit but whether it is significant or not is debatable.

Does the i7 let you use better parts that cost more? I'm not sure I follow your question. All parts except the CPU are interchangeable on modern motherboards with the appropriate expansion slots. The only difference might be if you plan on crossfiring or SLIing 2 or more high end graphics cards. Even then the difference would be insignificant.

I think in the end besides the CPU, if I could hazard a guess, depending on the parts you get, you could be looking at maybe $50 more if you go with 6GB triple channel memory.

 

[stevedave]

"Does the i7 let you use better parts that cost more? I'm not sure I follow your question."

Referring to the triple channel memory that was talked about is that only available with the i7? Must I use it or can I use double channel memory(not sure if this is even real just making something up.) Are you wasting you money if you buy the i7 over the i5 but then get everything else the same?

 

[Raidur]

1366 socket is going to have 16x crossfire/sli meaning the pcie slots won't bottleneck the gpu any time soon, the i5 uses 8x crossfire/sli and this is sufficient on gpus out today.

Yes you can use dual channel memory, but if you're taking the 1366 plundge tripple channel is worth investing in.

If you aren't going to use the advantages i7 offers then what's the point?

Another advantage i7 has is ht. This gives i7 4 more logical cores. This will not help in gaming (yet).

They do have 1156 socket i7, pretty much the i5-750 + ht + a more aggressive turbo. If you aren't going to use the 1366 perks then you're better off going that route. And if gaming is your priority then save the money and go i5.

 

[jsc]

And if gaming is your priority then save the money and go i5.

And put the money that you save into a better graphics card.

 

[enzo matrix]

Yes you can use dual channel memory, but if you're taking the 1366 plundge tripple channel is worth investing in.

Can one run dual channel memory in triple channel slots just by not filling the third slot?

 

[Andy2008]

Can one run dual channel memory in triple channel slots just by not filling the third slot?

Yes. You could also run it with only one memory stick if you really wanted to.

 

[stevedave]

"Your post title doesn't even make sense. "

I meant to put "Will" instead of "With" beyond that it isn't written in hieroglyphics.

 

[stevedave]

"If you aren't going to use the advantages i7 offers then what's the point?"

This is what I am trying to find out. Is it worth it to get the i7 if all I will be purchasing different from an i5 rig is the CPU and motherboard? Is some of the power of the i7 in the ability to use other more powerful parts? If so what was a rough estimate on how much more those parts would cost.

Put two identical systems next to each other but one has an i5 w/motherboard and the other has an i7 w/motherboard. Did that person just waste money buying the i7 CPU because they didn't go with triple channel memory and other better parts the i7 allows or does the i7 offer enough advantages to warrant that cost?

Thanks for the opinions and help.

 

[stevedave]

It looks like it makes the most sense to go the i5 route. Thanks for the info.