Xeon vs i5 for Gaming

[Barms]

Hi Guys,

I'm building a gaming PC and am nearly done, however I've been suggested two different CPU's;

-Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
or
-Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor

I would like to run GTA V at, at least 60 frames, along with other similar games.

In case it matters, here's the rest of my build; http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2LRrQ7



**Motherboard** | [ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97anniversary) | $63.75 @ SuperBiiz

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9d8gab) | $52.99 @ Newegg

**Storage** | [Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz75e250bam) | $85.00 @ SuperBiiz

**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $45.05 @ SuperBiiz

**Video Card** | [Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn970wf3oc4gd) | $324.99 @ SuperBiiz

**Case** | [Thermaltake Versa H34 ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-case-ca1c900m1wn00) | $54.40 @ SuperBiiz

**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1) | $64.99 @ NCIX US

**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $79.90 @ SuperBiiz

**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwdn4800) | $34.00 @ SuperBiiz

| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $1053.06
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| **Total** | **$1033.06**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2015-07-15 14:04 EDT-0400 |

I'm also open to suggestions on other parts of the PC, but mainly the CPU.

Thank you in advance!

-Barms

 

[Karsten75]

The Xeon is more or less on a par with the i5 and probably at the same price. If you ever did things that could benefit from multi-tasking, then the Xeon's hyper-threading would be beneficial. You'd not be able to overclock the Xeon if that's your inclination and you will always have to have a graphics card for the Xeon.

If it was me, depending on price, I'd go for the Xeon, if only to have bragging rights that I'm not running a vanilla consumer cpu, but have the smarts to find the best bang for the buck in the Intel lineup.

Edit: and then I saw you have a el-cheapo H-class motherboard. No point in getting the K-series i5 then. You can't overclock on that mother5board anyway. save some bucks and get the non-K i5 - or the Xeon.

 

[Barms]

The Xeon is more or less on a par with the i5 and probably at the same price. If you ever did things that could benefit from multi-tasking, then the Xeon's hyper-threading would be beneficial. You'd not be able to overclock the Xeon if that's your inclination and you will always have to have a graphics card for the Xeon.

If it was me, depending on price, I'd go for the Xeon, if only to have bragging rights that I'm not running a vanilla consumer cpu, but have the smarts to find the best bang for the buck in the Intel lineup.

Edit: and then I saw you have a el-cheapo H-class motherboard. No point in getting the K-series i5 then. You can't overclock on that mother5board anyway. save some bucks and get the non-K i5 - or the Xeon.

Could you possibly suggest a Mobo that might be better for Overclocking?

 

[Karsten75]

First decide if you are going the Xeon route or not. Overclocking isn't possible on the Xeon.

 

[Eggz]

The Xeon you're looking at is almost exactly the same chip as the i7-4790 (non-K), but the Xeon's integrated graphics are not enabled.

The main difference between Xeon/i7 and the i5 is hyper-threading, which allows 4 cores to function like 8. If you're considering the Xeon seriously, you should be deciding between that and the 4790k, not the 4690k.

The benefit of hyper-threading - whether on the Xeon or the i7 - is that things will remain smooth without slowing or stuttering even if you have multiple things going on in the background. Programs will regularly use more than 4 cores soon, so getting the i5 will limit the useful life of your computer more than the Xeon or i7.

 

[Barms]

I like the Xeon, but I'm afriad because people have told me it won't do well for gaming.

I trust you guys over here more. What's the deal... is the Xeon good for gaming? Or should I stick with the i5?

EDIT: So Eggz, what card would you recommend that isn't much higher of a price, or should I just shell it out.?

 

[Eggz]

You have to understand the manufacturing process. There is a production line making only a few chip designs. The i5-4690k, i7-4790k, and Xeon 1231v3 all come from the same design. They just switch on or off certain features and give the resulting chips different names.

The features in question here are integrated graphics, hyper-threading, and overcloking. Both the i7 and i5 have integrated graphics turned on, whereas the Xeon has it turned off. Integrated graphics don't matter to you, though, because you will have a graphics card. So that means you can consider the Xeon.

Other than graphics, what differentiates the Xeon? Nothing differentiates it from the i7. They both have hyper-threading, which actually gives a large performance increase for a single feature. So consider the Xeon to essentially be an i7, functionally speaking.

As for overclocking, only the i5 and i7 chips allow that. The "K" version of the chips have an unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking. It doesn't do much for games unless your chip is too slow. That happens either when it's old (not the case for these new chips yet), when you are running multiple GPUs (which you aren't), or when you require very high frame rates at low resolution (but you're only shooting for 60 fps constant). So, I don't think overclocking should be a deal breaker for you. Getting a "K" chip costs a good chunk of money, which would allow you to jump from the i5 to the Xeon. That jump would give you hyper-threading, which delivers far more performance than overclocking; that is, most overclocked 4690k chips cannot not outperform the Xeon 1231v3.

The performance is what it is, whether you're in games or regular programs. The chip doesn't care what you run. It just does what it's supposed to do, and the chip's name doesn't matter at all. Get whatever features you prefer and can afford.

RESPONSE TO EDIT: Any of the chips you're considering can deliver graphics data to a GPU fast enough to feed even the fastest GPUs made (e.g. Titan X, Fury X, etc.). For two or more such cards, the i7 or Xeon would be better. The point of saying that is to point out that these CPUs generally won't limit your GPU, so get the fastest GPU you need and can afford. The CPUs will also likely remain fast enough for long enough so that you will be able to upgrade the GPU in a few years without having to swap CPUs. Expect the i7 or Xeon to potentially last you through two GPUs (this one and the next).

 

[Barms]

Okay, it's starting to make more sense yes. Sorry about the confusion, alright right now I am leaning toward the Xeon. However I do have a couple more questions.

1. For the Xeon should that mobo be upgraded or is it okay?

2. For the gaming I'm doing (GTA V 60 FPS and other games) would it be just as fine to save the money and get a non-K series i5? Although, correct me if I'm wrong but if I get a Xeon it might be a better investment as I could use it longer (or 2 GPUs as you said)

 

[Eggz]

(1) The motherboard is fine. See page 2 of the user's manual: ftp://66.226.78.21/manual/H97%20Anniversary.pdf

(2) A non-K i5 would be the minimum for decent play now. Tomorrow's minimum will be more than that, and the Xeon and i7 will keep you relevant longer. So yes, they are likely a better investment than the i5, but let your budget decide. But keep in mind that the 1231v3 is only $30 more on NewEgg than the 4690 (non-K), and it's far superior to even the 4690k.

4690 ($225) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116989

1231v3 ($257) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117316

 

[Barms]

Thank you very much! Otherwise I think this is a well rounded build.

You all are great.

I'll be going with the Xeon.

 

[Eggz]

Congrats! 🙂

 

[freeskier93]

The Xeon will do fantastic in games and will only get better with DX12. As Eggz has already explained very well the E3-1231 V3 is literally just an i7, maybe a bit better binned, and will perform exactly the same.

It's also worth mentioning that if you happened to live near a Microcenter they have the E3-1231 V3 for $200.