Intel i5 vs Intel Core 2 Quad

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urgranny11

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Hi

I m looking for a more informed opinion regarding the choice of processor that I am looking to buy.
The choice is between these two:
Intel i5-670 DC Clarkdale 3.46Ghz 4Mb Cache 32nm + IGP (733Mhz)
and
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Yorkfield 2.66 Ghz 8Mb OD Cache 45 nm

Which is a better processor between the two?

Thanks
 
If it had to be between those two, I'd take the Core 2 Quad. But I'm stumped as to why you would want to get a i5-670? Most of the cost for that CPU goes to the integrated GPU, which it seems you dont need since the core 2 quad does not have an integrated GPU and leads me to beleive you already have a graphics card of sorts.
I would also suggest other options - the i5 750, or Phenom 955/965. Both perform the same, and cost alot less than the i5-670 at least, and perform better than the 670 if my memory serves me well.
 
Last edited:
Archer said:
If it had to be between those two, I'd take the Core 2 Quad. But I'm stumped as to why you would want to get a i5-670? Most of the cost for that CPU goes to the integrated GPU, which it seems you dont need since the core 2 quad does not have an integrated GPU and leads me to beleive you already have a graphics card of sorts.
I would also suggest other options - the i5 750, or Phenom 955/965. Both perform the same, and cost alot less than the i5-670 at least.
Click to expand...

+1 for 965BE but also take in mind that Core 2 Quad is 775 CPU as to i5 1156 CPU.also take C2Q is LGA775 as where i5 is LGA1156.
 
Agreed with Archer re integrated GPU. i5 CPU/mobo combination is going to cost about R700 more due to pricier motherboards. If you have the cash then go for the i5 750, if you don't need an integrated GPU.

Socket 775 still offers good bang for buck. Slap that Q9400 onto a G31/G41 mobo for R500.
 
PostmanPot said:
Agreed with Archer re integrated GPU. i5 CPU/mobo combination is going to cost about R700 more due to pricier motherboards. If you have the cash then go for the i5 750, if you don't need an integrated GPU.

Socket 775 still offers good bang for buck. Slap that Q9400 onto a G31/G41 mobo for R500.
Click to expand...

Nonsense, I got a very nice intel LGA1156 mobo for about R900, DDR3 RAM is only R100 more than DDr2 now. DONTgo LGA775!!! Invest in the future! LGA1156 is intels new standard socket and once C2D and C2Q is phased out there aren't going to be any new LGA775 chips.

I have the i5-750, it's performance is mind blowingly good!

Read this review to convince you: http://www.techspot.com/review/193-intel-core-i5-750/

Beats Core 2 Quad 9650 AMD 965 and sits just under i7 920 i.t.o gaming performance.
 
For me, it was also a close tie between the i5-750 and the Phenom 965 Black Edition.

Both are reasonably priced quad core CPU's and I think now is a good time to look at quad core (especially since my 3D modelling software now supports it).

So I went to look online at some CPU Performance charts and this one reveals something interesting:
High-end CPU Chart

The Phenom slightly outperforms the i5-750, for quite a bit less expensive as well.

Food for thought?
 
Hmmmm interesting results. But that passmark is based purely on synthetic cpu benchmarks right? The techspot review is more practical to me as it is more real world, compression, 3D game and application performance. Yes AMD is cheaper at this moment and the performance difference is marginal, but I'm an Intel guy so...
 
Edduck said:
Hmmmm interesting results. But that passmark is based purely on synthetic cpu benchmarks right? The techspot review is more practical to me as it is more real world, compression, 3D game and application performance. Yes AMD is cheaper at this moment and the performance difference is marginal, but I'm an Intel guy so...
Click to expand...

The i5-750 seems to do a little better at the work related stuff (3D modelling etc) while the AMD usually does a little better at games. Difference is 5% or less in either case.
 
AH I just saw you sig :D Now I understand the AMD sentiment ;)

All I need to add to my sig is uncapped adsl....
 
Well I mostly play games on my PC, and it worked out about $50 cheaper for me which I then put to upping my budget on my case :D But ya, if you're down to i5-750 vs Phenom 965 just take whichever one makes you happy. Really couldn't be bothered by AMD vs Intel, all I care about is value for money.
 
Edduck said:
Nonsense, I got a very nice intel LGA1156 mobo for about R900, DDR3 RAM is only R100 more than DDr2 now. DONTgo LGA775!!! Invest in the future! LGA1156 is intels new standard socket and once C2D and C2Q is phased out there aren't going to be any new LGA775 chips.

I have the i5-750, it's performance is mind blowingly good!

Read this review to convince you: http://www.techspot.com/review/193-intel-core-i5-750/

Beats Core 2 Quad 9650 AMD 965 and sits just under i7 920 i.t.o gaming performance.
Click to expand...

Calm down! :D What's nonsense? That i5 + mobo will be around R700 more expensive?

G31 > 1156 = R500-R600
Q9400 > i5 750 = R150

Otherwise you may have missed where I suggested the i5 750?
 
@Edduck Read the Techspot review... I agree, their review is much more comprehensive and aimed at real-world results. So that's pushed me over to the i5-750 camp again :)

Overall, I think you need to look at overall value for money. If you are going to be using the thing for SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) stuff and you are going to be working with large client databases, etc, the AMD should do fine.

For gaming and modelling though, I'm starting to lean toward the i5-750

A quick mobo,cpu,mem price comparison:

i5-750 CPU
Asus P7P55D DLE Mobo
4GB Kingston 1333MHz Memory
R1800 (CPU) + R1450 (Mobo) + R1100 (RAM)
That's R4350 in total.

For the AMD hardware equivalent:

AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE (CPU)
Asus M4A77TD PRO (mobo)
4GB Kingston 1333MHz Memory
R1750 (CPU) + R1000 (mobo) + R1100 (RAM)
That's R3850 in total.

Now obviously you can shop around and argue with the prices, but those are the prices more or less rounded down or up, plus minus, approximately :P

The thing is, R500 could make a big difference to a lot of users. I suspect the AM3 architecture is just cheaper to produce at this stage while LGA1156 is still new on the market and therefore the motherboards are more expensive.

To be honest, I'm starting to confuse my own choice more and more each day :P
 
LGA1156 prices have already dropped, dont expect them to come down much more. There are too many licensing fees for it to be as cheap as the AM3 equivalent.
 
@Tiny, you can easily save R400-500 on the mobo, are you really going to see that much improvement with a more expensive mobo? Look at the Intel H55TC, Can get it for R1k easily in SA. I am exceptionally happy with it, it has quite a few OC features if you're looking for that. I can play Crysis on High, No AA @ 1920x1080 with almost only the slightest stutter in Very busy scenes. People are always going on about this product will give you X more FPS etc etc but I don't give a frak about that. Being an Intel product it is built well and is very stable. I must say I haven't tried OCing yet until I have saved enough for a decent air cooler to replace the stock intel one.
 
urgranny11 said:
Hi

I m looking for a more informed opinion regarding the choice of processor that I am looking to buy.
The choice is between these two:
Intel i5-670 DC Clarkdale 3.46Ghz 4Mb Cache 32nm + IGP (733Mhz)
and
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Yorkfield 2.66 Ghz 8Mb OD Cache 45 nm

Which is a better processor between the two?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The guy im getting it from has these Motherboards with the respective processors:

Intel i5-670 - intel H55-P31, 6CH Audio, Gb Lan, DisplayPort, No VGA

Intel Core2Quad Q9400 - Intel G31TM-P21, 6CH Audio, LAN, VGA Intel 3100

Now how does this affect the decision?
Oh n i dont have any graphics card.
 
urgranny11 said:
How bad is that?
Click to expand...

It's not... I've used a few Intel mobos and never had issues with it.
If you're looking to overclock or SLI/Crossfire, you may be better off with a brand name mobo.

With regard to the 965BE vs i5-750 debate, I also found myself wondering about this. In the end I decided that the i5-750 would be the safer bet, since it performs better with 3D & graphics applications. The backward AM2 compatibility on the 965 is also a bit appealing though, meaning you probably wouldn't need to upgrade from DDR2 to DDR3. But it also wouldn't be very future-proof.
All-in-all, I'd go the Intel route
 
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