Core i7 2600 or Core i5 2500

[lcdguy]

OK so i find my self in need of a new cpu as my current one is cutting it anymore. (it was bought at the time due to budgetary reasons). I am finding myself doing more and more video editing in AVCHD. My question is the i7 worth the $100 premium over the i5 variant. I am not looking at over clocking so i have no need the K version of the chips. Currently i am using a core i3 2100 so anything would be an improvement.

[supaflyx3]

A 2600 will give you a massive boost compared to the 2100 when it comes to encoding and editing, so I would say its worth it.

[tangrisser]

Most of video editing software will take advantage of HyperThreading or even just the fact that there is additional logical cores available for processing threads. Performance increase will depend on how much software is optimized for multi-cores and/or HyperThreading and you wil certainly see increase in performance regardless with i7 2600

[SlickEnuf4U]

If you're going to go with the 2600 though, you should seriously consider getting the 2600K. You can just bump the multiplier up a few notches for a big boost in performance.

You won't even have to adjust voltage if you don't go too far.

[lcdguy]

well i have been doing some thinking and here is what i am going to be planning for the upgrade. :)

Intel Core i7 2600 (unless the K goes on sale when i am ready)
E-vga Geforce GTX 560TI (adding a second one for SLI)
Crucial C400 128GB SSD

As for the software i am using sony vegas home and they specifically state in the requirements that they recommend multi cpu / multi threaded so i am thinking it will play rather nicely with it.

Now i just need to save up the cash for this.

[Footman]

Why wouldn't you spend the extra $10-20 for unlocked K version. Even if you do not want to overclock now, in the future you could add some longevity to your cpu by overclocking it when you perceive it to be slowing down. I assure you that a 2500K or 2600K running at 4.6ghz is easy and makes a huge difference to video encoding...

Save up some more and buy the K version.

[lcdguy]

well i am not entirely sure how my motherboard will handle oc as it's not exactly a premium board.

[trayton]

If your not going to get the 2600K then get the 2500K instead save some coin and still be able to OC nicely!

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by trayton

If your not going to get the 2600K then get the 2500K instead save some coin and still be able to OC nicely!

Read what he says..

He'll be doing video editing

[Adzsask]

Originally Posted by lcdguy

well i am not entirely sure how my motherboard will handle oc as it's not exactly a premium board.

Even a basic board should push it to 4.2 easily 24/7, that K is worth the extra $20, even O.C. with stock voltages if you are worried.