Intel Core i7-950 or Intel Core i5-2500K

Kymaera Profile Options #1

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Which do you think would be best? Price isn't an option since it's only a 40$ gap.

Intel Core i7-950 or Intel Core i5-2500K?

Only things I can really see that are different are:

i7-950
Operating Frequency3.06GHz
CPU Socket Type LGA 1366
L3 Cache 8MB

i5-2500K
Operating Frequency 3.3GHz
CPU Socket Type LGA 1155
L3 Cache 6MB

Random stuff I pasted from sites like Toms Hardware and Geekmontage:

1155 :This socket is targeted towards the mainstream PC users. You will find that it can play games, and will even perform well in rendering, video editing, etc. The performance gap between this socket and 1366 decreases exponentially if you are able to buy a K series 1155 socket processor and overclock it. This socket is the most powerful in terms of efficiency per core. However, the hexacore options for the Socket 1366 will overtake this socket any day when performing most tasks.

Pros of the Socket 1155:
Best price to performance ratio
Integrated graphics option (H Series Chipset)
Most efficient use of cores
New socket that will last for a while
Supports modern video cards and technologies (and will for some time)

Cons of the Socket 1155:
Motherboards are steadily increasing in price ever since the recall
Low Motherboard availability
Overwhelming amount of Chipset Options
No hexacore options
Less PCIe capabilities than the x58 (socket 1366)
Dual Channel Memory

Pros of Socket 1366:
Fastest Available Socket to date
Only Hexacore (6 core) platform
Supports more lanes of PCIe bandwidth / PCIe cards
Tri-Channel Memory

Cons of Socket 1366:
Will be phased out at the end of the year
Expensive price tag that makes this purchase a lot harder to justify with the advent of 1155
Kymaera Profile Options #2

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Also this was someone's reply at Toms hardware when asked:

The 2500k needs to be heavily overclocked to perform at the same level as the 950. remember you'll never see the same situations as in those benchmarks as it was cherry picked items running at almost 4.8Ghz. The 2500k struggled to outperform the 970be even was beaten in some games at it as it was proved the gpu makes a better difference. if you have a poor gpu a 2500k might help you a bit better in games but economical and value per performance it was proven the 950 with a Gtx 460 to be the better choice

Kymaera Profile Options #3

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My gpu is a gtx 580 btw.
gezodiac Profile Options #4

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http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

idk, it seems the i5 does preform better...
arwis Profile Options #5

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Short answer

Z chipset
2500k

Long answer:

2500k IS BETTER than 950 in literally everything(like 90%+ of the things). 2500k has more clock per clock performance, 2500k over clocks better and easier, it heats less, it uses less power, it beats 950 in almost every bench and the ones it doesn't beat comes VERY CLOSE:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833-12.html

Another big thing about getting 2500k is possible upgrade in the future. You'll be able to replace it with Ivy bridge while with 950 you'll have to change whole thing.
arwis Profile Options #6

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In game benches you can see ~+/- 3-5 FPS 2500k being beaten by 950 but that at stock speeds. Furthermore if you consider other downsides of 950 you really don't want to get it for just 2-5 FPS increase.

Furthermore OC'd, 2500k would kick [filtered], not to mention it's so easy to OC those.
Xiouslaidyn Profile Options #7

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I agree completely with Arwis. Whatever you've been reading, the 2500k is superior in every way. It uses superior technology, it behaves better, it OCs better. Performance wise they are practically the same, but the the 2500k is the better choice and cheaper!
Kymaera Profile Options #8

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Thanks for the answers guys, got my 2500k ordered along with my p67 mobo. :O Can't wait to see how the next cbt goes for me. Was getting 11-21 FPS when frapsing during cbt.
Chujitsu Profile Options #9

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Wait no Z68?
Kymaera Profile Options #10

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Chujitsu on 2012-02-16 21:35:31 UTC
Wait no Z68?


...actually stopped my order to double check and make sure I'm getting what I want...been watching videos about the z68 today actually, haha.

What would you recommend? I have a 700$ budget, and all I need is a motherboard and cpu...

was taking a look at Intel Core i7-2700K and overclocking it, would you think you'd see much improvement over an overclocked i5 2500k?

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-2700K+%40+3.50GHz

So what makes the i7 2700k that much better than the i5 2500k in that benchmark if they can both overclock to around 5ghz?