Core i7s, are they really worth it?

Ok about a year ago I heard core i7 would be needed to play games on PC. however I don't think that games will move on enough at the moment. Do you think a good core 2 quad will still be able to play the best games for 2 years? If not how long etc?

Ok about a year ago I heard core i7 would be needed to play games on PC. however I don't think that games will move on enough at the moment. Do you think a good core 2 quad will still be able to play the best games for 2 years? If not how long etc?

jeeinecho

Well, considering that my E8400 DUAL-core completely tears almost any game apart (helped by an 800mhz OC), I'd say i7's are very unnecessary. That being said, it all depends on what you have now. I wouldn't build a new gaming rig using ANY LGA 775 platform (core 2 duo and quad platform) at this point. The socket is dead. Better to build a Phenom II/i5-based system. If you have excess money laying around, sure.. go i7. But is it worth it? Not for a gaming rig IMO. A mid to high-end Core 2 Quad will eat games for the next 1.5-2 years.

if you are going to use multigpu setups with more than one screen and high resolutions than yes, maybe a 965 can keep up in a dual gpu setup but in a tri sli/crossfire an i7 would be worth it. however when gaming on a single monitor with moderate resolutions (around 1600*1200) you don't need an i7. a core2 quad or pII quad is a better deal than an i7

Yes, they are.

It really depends on what you are going to be using it for. If you are just planning on playing games, a Core 2 Quad can hold its own for at least another two years. However, as far as longevity is concerned, the Core i5 and Core i7 (860 and 920) are beasts and will hold up for sometime. The Core i7 920 in particular is an overclocking machine. It rips through videoediting without a hiccup. For gaming, you will almost always be GPU limited so I would say get a cheaper Intel/AMD processor and invest more money into the video card.

Thanks for the advice, really helpful.

But You must know which resolution you'r playing as well 1680x1050 ? or 1920x1200 or some old XGA WideScreen 1339x864 / 1440x900 XGA+ WideScreen

per $ yeah it is amd Phenom II X 955 / 965 but it remain core i7 920 OC is a champion it not amd fault it just happen to be it : but they are Very Good
contestant as they remain ether Equal or only a small 5-10fps drop vs to Core i7 920 performances in Both OC Max potential

while core i7 920 Stock Vs Phenom II X2 950 / 965 Because the Ghz is Very higher from stock 2.6Ghz But then again if you oc both potential from the modern Airflow cooling but il show you some benchmark : benchmark worth lot of word and from those word you can come to simplifier answer
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2009/09/08/intel-core-i5-and-i7-lynnfield-cpu-review/7
You may know how ever there is still hard to find 1920x1200 benchmark so they basically take 1680x1050 (popular monitor) & onyl two game if i was them id be testing that on very least 5-7 game more inforamtion is better and will alway remain better regardless if you have to work harder in order too

But notice that a Benchmark overclock in doesn't invovle in 75% of it case it average overclocking rate example it can be 3.6Ghz OC when the CPU core i7 CAN REACH easilly 4.0 to 4.3Ghz Depend if you spend 30$ for ur Cooling device or 55$-75$ (Total : include Cpu cooler & 120mm fan attach on it) but Anyway those benchmark at last give a idea

if you look some benchmark such as legionhardware Doesn't involve max oc and only OC Of core i7 965 & core 2 Duo / Core 2 Quad which i find dumb from there perspective but there benchmark is accurate on the FPS Given perspective for the game But without asking you such quesiton you won't find the 100% Accurate information ;)

per $ yeah it is amd Phenom II X 955 / 965 but it remain core i7 920 OC is a champion it not amd fault it just happen to be it : but they are Very Good contestant as they remain ether Equal or only a small 5-10fps drop vs to Core i7 920 performances in Both OC Max potential

:x

what ? it true... most of benchmark show so.. but They CLOSE it depend of which game : Cryisis ? we talk of max 1 fps difference not more not less.. but who as the best fps ? core i7 920 :(marcthpro

yes for game that are optmized ghz over core core i5 is faster : but specially the 750's but then again id like you to notice thos benchmark involve low overclocking the majority of overlcock as long they hold up a Very good cooler they will reach a core i7 920 from 3.8ghz to 4.2ghz

depend of game and what you put but yeah you'r suposse to run fine most of game that aren't new as far cry 2 with AA at 1680x1050 with ur settup's tough we are mostly taking of maxing stuff but if is LGA 775 to a core i7 920 right now it is not worthing it enough becaseu if you oc someting as E8400 4.0ghz+ / Q9550 3.8 to 4.0Ghz Around Both Core can run high frequancy it jsut a matter of ur motherboard quality / cooling to perform it

while i won't deny that in most of new game core i7 920 / 860 + OC around 3.6ghz+ over Quad core Q9550 / Q9650 4.0Ghz OC the Core i7 will remain higher performances and a much better multitasking experiance

here il give you a few benchmark some are old but they show the point of cpu role as to do with gpu role
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=807&p=7
(huge cpu battle old benchmark 295GTX release era)
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2009/09/08/intel-core-i5-and-i7-lynnfield-cpu-review/7
Cpu Performances done with overclocking how ever there aren't the max out of people i know who get it over +200-400mhz then in bit-tech test

Gpu Benchmark
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ATI/Radeon_HD_5870_CrossFire/11.html
if you'r close to you'r money the gpu over cpu is alway winning specially if you got a LGA 775 Dual core / Quad core / Phenom II