Should I get this I3?

[James111333]

Hey, I'm building a windows 7 based home server and would like some advice over what components to select.

I started to look at the AMD A5800K but then realised that the I3 3220 is about the same price and I don't need the better GPU from the AMD.

I would need as many SATA ports as possible with 6 as a minimum, 8 would be better but I understand it's unlikely.

Will the I3 be able to play 1080p if I decided to use it as a HTPC? Although that also is unlikely as I have my main gaming system running in my home theatre.

I know both will be fine to run my server requirements as I currently have an AMD 3000+ with 1gb of ram running Windows 7 and it streams to my system just fine, unfortunately that is dying now and doesn't like more than 2 drives connected at once..... not good for a server!

So with gaming aside, what is the best set up? Both can be had for about £150 with MB and + RAM which will just be a suitable 4GB DIMM for now.
Which would be best for basic internet browsing when my main system is down?

Also, what is best in terms of power usage for 24/7 server action?

Thanks everyone!

 

[WYP]

both cpus will work fine

an i3 is more than capable of 1080p video, the superior amd graphics are mainly for gaming.

power draw will be less from the i3, which will be beneficial for a 24/7 usage scenario.




One more thing don't double post, please use the edit button!

 

[James111333]

Cool, thanks, I am having a bit more luck in my research too now as I had to trawl through a lot of stuff that focusses on gaming performance. I'm thinking I3 but now which one, also a MB that will be a good server base for years to come. Possibly good RAID support too. Any suggestions? Also, does the I3 benefit from faster RAM or will relatively cheap sticks be ok as it is mainly just going to store media and stream via my network.

 

[Feronix]

i3 3225 has Intel HD4000 graphics. Might be worth it to check that out?

 

[James111333]

i3 3225 has Intel HD4000 graphics. Might be worth it to check that out?

Ideal, thanks, i'll take a look now

 

[Fez]

Ive cleaned up the 2 consecutive posts please learn to use the edit button mate for future posts

 

[Feronix]

Ideal, thanks, i'll take a look now

It's just a tad more expensive, but HD4000 offers pretty much everything you need when you're not a gamer.

 

[James111333]

You have to clean up your post now too as now I know it makes that an unnecessary addition too :whipping: hehe, but then it would mean that this would move up one and cause a double post lol, where does it end :lol:

Anyway, would a lower end MB do an I5 upgrade justice in the future I expect this to last for a long old time as a server so the extra power from a dusty old second hand I5 may help in the future?

Thanks again everyone

 

[Feronix]

Not sure on that. Tbh, even for most home servers an i3 is overkill. The 3220 and 3225 even have Hyper Threading which will help out a bit too.

Heck, when you add a half-decent GPU you can game pretty well on an i3 system.

So no, I don't think an i5 would be worth it. Would rather spend it on a decent motherboard.

 

[Dark NighT]

I guess you could try playing some 4k videos on that i3 and see what you get out of it, but i think you would be fine. 4k resolution is the next big thing thats coming, it isnt mainstream yet but i expect it wont take long to become mainstream.

 

[James111333]

Not sure on that. Tbh, even for most home servers an i3 is overkill. The 3220 and 3225 even have Hyper Threading which will help out a bit too.

Heck, when you add a half-decent GPU you can game pretty well on an i3 system.

So no, I don't think an i5 would be worth it. Would rather spend it on a decent motherboard.

I suppose I was thinking about times like now where I am using my server as my only running system while I rebuild my main rig, this3000+ 1gb system is killing me at the moment! I think you're right though, the I3 should last a long old time as a server so I need to find a board that will suit my needs. At the moment, I need 6 Sata ports minimum and onboard RAID. So does the RAM speed matter?

I guess you could try playing some 4k videos on that i3 and see what you get out of it, but i think you would be fine. 4k resolution is the next big thing thats coming, it isnt mainstream yet but i expect it wont take long to become mainstream.

Yeah, that's what I am thinking about too, I have a pretty beasty home cinema and will be upgrading to 4K at some point but I guess my main rig should handle that if I am only streaming to it rather than asking the I3 to play the file.

Now there has been a development. £100 for an I3 and at least £50 for a MB.... My 1090T and Crosshair IV Can't be worth much more than that?

How about 'buying the CPU and MB from myself' for that £150 then getting the Haswel I5 and Asus sabertooth I have had my eye on? It is a difficult one as I know the 1090T and ROG motherboard is overkill for a server and more power hungry but it is a possibility? Or maybe sell my CPU and MB for £200 and keep my RAM, this would essentially give me the money needed for my server £180 including ram, then spend the £360 on Haswell.

If you're still with me here, to own an I3 server and 1090T / Crosshair IV gaming system (with my 7950 direct CUII that I hope to swap for the 9970 in october) It will cost me £200

Or, to get a Haswell main rig and an I3 server for £360....?

Sorry for the confusing trail of thought but basically, it would mean that I can upgrade from my 1090t to Haswell for £140.....

That sounds promising and WAY off my original topic/ plan :lol:

Please jump in and correct me if i'm being stupid somewhere ^_^

 

[NeverBackDown]

I had a hard time following that.. i think you're asking if you should sell your rig and go for I5 haswell? If so, no. Just stick with an i3 and motherboard with 6 sata ports. Will be good enough for years to come as a server.

 

[James111333]

Haha, sorry, yeah it was hard to follow..!

Basically I was saying, I have a 1090t and Crosshair IV now worth not much more than the cost of an I3 setup.

So if I used that instead of getting the new I3 bits, I will save £200.

This £200 saved could go towards the cost of a £360 Haswell MB and CPU. So essentially the upgrade would only be £160 more than what I had to spend in the first place anyway.

I then questioned whether I should sell my AMD parts and replace them with a less powerful system that will a. free up even more cash and b. Use less electricity than if I used my AMD parts for a server.

Sorry for the confusion, there is method to my madness though!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Use that amd system you have now. The cost in electricity will take quite a few years to make intel the betteer/cheaper option. Not worth it as a higher end psu will solve that mostly.

I take it the 200pounds will be used for your other gaming rigs? If so then seems like a good investment unless you're already running ivy bride.

 

[demonking]

Heck, when you add a half-decent GPU you can game pretty well on an i3 system.

this is what i did for my mrs.
got an i3 3220 and my old 560ti and she games just fine, not exactly 60fps on max settings but mostly on high.

i can personally recommend the 3220 (or 3225), great processors