Processor Help

Robin_Ho_od

Hey guys,

It's been a while. So, I'm posting today asking for some help.

I'm looking to buy a new desktop and I was going to buy this one:

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-3340 processor (6M Cache, up to 3.3 GHz)

However, they're out of stock, but they have the exact same model with a different processor:

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i3-3240 processor (3M Cache, 3.4 GHz)

So my question is, is there much difference between the 2 processors? Aside from processors, they both have the same specs. I thought i5 would be better because it seems newer, but since they're out of stock I'm not sure whether I should buy i3 with windows 7 or another i5 with windows 8.

I'll be using it mostly for HD videos, mail, etc, but it wouldn't hurt if it's able to handle online games. Price is not much different so it's not an issue. Just wanna know if i3 will be noticeably worse than i5. If so, I'll have to compromise using windows 8

Thanks a lot of your responses!

Robin_Ho_od

I tried googling it, but didn't find an exact answer because specific processors were different in all articles I read. Also, not sure how i3 has higher 3.4 GHz compared to 3.3 GHz of i5. Is it better?

AwfulFallout

The clock rating doesn't really matter when comparing to, the i5 is a quad core with 4 threads while the i3 is a dual core with 4 threads. what does this all mean? well in games that require more cores such as most newer games, you experience better performance, however if you are on a budget, an the i3 is all you can afford, it makes an excellent budget rig, also if you do a lot of workstation type of work or processing, such as videos/cad/vmware etc you will want the quad core rather than the i3. For most use the i3 will be good, personally i would get the i3 because the i5 is not an unlocked version and you can't overclock it, and the i3 will be more efficient with electricity, lower cost and lower power supply needed.

the i3 is more than enough to play games, internet, hd video, just make sure you pair it up with a good video card

Robin_Ho_od

Hey thanks for the quick reply!

The reason why my problem is harder is because i3 listed for $53 more than i5. It should be other way around lol =/

Anywho, since I do have to get a new desktop immediately, I guess I will get it.

Btw, I remember your name from a long ago when I used to play CF. Hope you're doing well

AwfulFallout

Robin_Ho_od wrote: »

Hey thanks for the quick reply!

The reason why my problem is harder is because i3 listed for $53 more than i5. It should be other way around lol =/

Anywho, since I do have to get a new desktop immediately, I guess I will get it.

Btw, I remember your name from a long ago when I used to play CF. Hope you're doing well

that's really odd about the price, i would wait in that case, i5 would be a better value obviously if it is that much cheaper, and thanks you too.

Robin_Ho_od

Yeah so I called 'em up but they said they won't be stocking up Windows 7 computers anymore since Windows 8 is newer. I just bought the i3 one. As long as it does lag doing regular surfing or using word or email etc, I'm fine. Thanks a lot for your help once again.

Thread can be closed

CookieMunzta

An i5 would better hold out in the long term, so I'd also recommend saving for that, preferably a 3570K (or a standard 3570 if you have no interest in OCing). Gaming will soon be focused on the next-gens' better strength, the CPU. Same will go for us PC gamers too.

Grabster

Why not build your own?

over_rated

The i3 is clocked lower and is a dual core with HT, the i5 is a quad core with Turbo Boost. The i3 only supports PCIe 2.0 but the i5 supports 3.0 though it shouldn't matter right now