i3 2120 vs i5

[Electric]

Would it be a good idea to go for an i3 2120 vs similar specced i5?
The machine will be a gaming machine with a bit of video recording from Xbox.
It will be used by my son.

I am a bit more demanding on my pc but he is a console gamer primarily so this will be paired with a GTX 660TI OC 2gb which imo should be more than sufficient.

What do you guys think?
Should I pay a bit more and go for an i5 or i7 over the i3?
Is the benefit going to be noticeable or just extra R?

 

[SYNERGY]

I would go for a fast i3.

Depends on what games he will play as more and more games are making use of quad cores...

If he is going to record video - I'm assuming that it would entail video editing down the line - go i5 in that case.

 

[Electric]

I would go for a fast i3.

Depends on what games he will play as more and more games are making use of quad cores...

Well that's the thing; I could go for this i3 or just spend a bit more and get an i5 that should last a few years longer.

 

[SYNERGY]

Personally, for a HTPC I went for the i3. Single core performance is all that is needed in my scenario.

 

[CataclysmZA]

If you have the cash for the i5, go for the i5.

 

[Electric]

If you have the cash for the i5, go for the i5.

I tend to agree.
I am trying to save a bit on components but I think it will cost me in the long run if I go for the i3.

 

[kolaval]

Is there an official list of what games use/benefit greatly from quad cores?
Should be interesting

 

[Rickster]

I have a 2nd gen I5, perfect for games.


Would recommend.

 

[Fox1]

I have a 2nd gen I5, perfect for games.


Would recommend.

+1

 

[Electric]

I have a 2nd gen I5, perfect for games.


Would recommend.

I have the same.

Now it's between deciding whether I need an upgrade and my son get's my pc or just buying him a decent i5.
I'm slowly leaning towards buying myself a system

 

[SYNERGY]

I have the same.

Now it's between deciding whether I need an upgrade and my son get's my pc or just buying him a decent i5.
I'm slowly leaning towards buying myself a system

Build yourself a system. That's what I do

 

[Electric]

Build yourself a system. That's what I do

I just need to run this past the boss first.
She's said I can spend the money but I'm not sure what the limit is lol.

 

[Fox1]

I just need to run this past the boss first.
She's said I can spend the money but I'm not sure what the limit is lol.

Prices are going up the longer you wait

Unless you are wanting to wait it out for DDR4 to come cheaper?

 

[Electric]

Another option is to spend less on his system and to rather get myself a new GPU and to give him my gtx660 TI 2GB OC.
The way I see it, my system performs very well so for him it will be more than enough.

 

[HideInLight]

The Gen2 i3's not that great, wouldn't go for them with regards to gaming.
The Gen2 i5's however are sufficient.

All the new engines and updated ones benefit at least from 4 cores.

Depends on price and what you want to play however.
LoL, DOTA2, CS GO it'll do fine.

This would of been perfect:
http://carbonite.co.za/f39/i5-2400-gigabyte-h67ma-95444/

Those old i5's gen2 can be gotten for R600 -> R800 if you lucky.
Gen3 R1100-R1400