which one

[Jacob.xray]

which one should i get for gaming

- ASUS Rampage IV Formula with a Intel Core i7 3820

OR

-

ASUS Maximus IV Extreme Z with a 2700k

 

[I Hunta x]

The extreme Z with a 2600k, save yourself the difference to put towards something else, and the quad channel memory of the 2011 is useless over dual channel for gaming tbh.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

By far the extreme z for gaming. But the 2700k is nonsense for gaming, so is the 2600k, games do not use hyperthreading so a 2600k and 2700k just turn into 2500k while gaming.

 

[Stevo]

Battlefield 3 uses Hyper-threading and I believe allot more games in the future will too. But yes, go for ASUS Maximus IV Extreme Z[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans] with a 2600k. The only reason you'd need a 2700k is if you want a higher binned chip capable of overclocking to 4.6Ghz + with ease. but yet again a 2600k will easily pull 4.5Ghz no problem and that doesn't matter anyway cause all games will run fine at stock clocks of 3.4Ghz. you honestly wont see a difference.[/font]

 

[I Hunta x]

Just cause its higher binned doesnt mean it will over clock better, there might be a SLIGHTLY better chance but there wont be much in it.

But as said if you ONLY game then go for the 2500k but for the bit extra for the 2600k it can help with non gaming things.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

Battlefield 3 uses Hyper-threading and I believe allot more games in the future will too. But yes, go for ASUS Maximus IV Extreme Z[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans] with a 2600k. The only reason you'd need a 2700k is if you want a higher binned chip capable of overclocking to 4.6Ghz + with ease. but yet again a 2600k will easily pull 4.5Ghz no problem and that doesn't matter anyway cause all games will run fine at stock clocks of 3.4Ghz. you honestly wont see a difference.[/font]

You are going to have to show me proof of this? I have not found a single article that shows BF3 using it, or it is just so poorly implemented their are no performance gains. Their was that myth with BC2 that ir used hyperthreading too. I doubt it does and i dont think you will see games implement it at all for the reason they are becoming more GPU dependent.

 

[I Hunta x]

From what i remember it doesnt use HT, im pretty sure my 970 sits with core 0 2 4 6 8 10 with load in bf3 and 1 3 5 7 9 11 are low usage unless im also playing music and other stuff then that gets off loaded onto the odd numbered HT cores.

 

[f0x.]

Please see the below article:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/battlefield-3-vga-and-cpu-performance-benchmark-test/3

While it is multi threaded, it doesnt make that much of a difference. Go 2600k as it will make other tasks like video editing and file compression much faster for not much more outlay.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

Please see the below article:

http://www.guru3d.co...enchmark-test/3

While it is multi threaded, it doesnt make that much of a difference. Go 2600k as it will make other tasks like video editing and file compression much faster for not much more outlay.

Wow, so it's so minuscule it makes no difference. Yea I would still go 2500k. use the extra cash towards a game.

 

[DanielSK]

I would go for a 2500k and use more money to buy better graphics, or a better ssd, or some games hahaha

but between this 2 for gaming 2700k no doubt

 

[simsimma4]

I'm sure the 3820 is cheaper than the 2700k, well it was when I got it.... So all those saying your saving money well you just aren't.

 

[Jacob.xray]

I'm sure the 3820 is cheaper than the 2700k, well it was when I got it.... So all those saying your saving money well you just aren't.

yea thats what i found overall the asus maximus with the 2700k was only like $30 cheaper and the diffrence beetwen the 2700k and the 1600k was $40

thats why i was thinking 2011 would be a good choice because it is the new platform but dont kow much about the 3820 for gaming

 

[jonnyfgm]

games do not use hyperthreading

Software doesn't "use" hyperthreading, the OS interprets multiple threads as discrete cores, this is why when you have an i7 and go into task manager you see 8 graphs in CPU usage

So more the question is, can a game utilise the doubling in threads or not

 

[simsimma4]

But I think waiting for the ivy bridge to be released would be wise, even if you don't go for the ivy bridge. I'm sure the current sandy bridge will reduce in price.

I've gone for the 2011 as it'll be slightly more future proofed.

 

[Ya93sin]

If it's just gaming there's nothing wrong with just a 2500K, though the 2600k may come in handy in future games, I'm not sure when that would be.

 

[Scoob]

Hi,

For a gaming rig I'd pick (and indeed I did, though SB-E wasn't out at the time) a 2500k.

I picked up a 2500k and an ASUS P8Z68-V Pro last year and build a system around that. It's proven to be a great little gaming rig, far far better than I expected.

My friend, always wanting to 1 up me lol, went for the 2600k (+£100) as well as a "better" motherboard - I cannot recall exactly which one it was off the top of my head, but it cost him over £300 vs. my £150. So, he has the higher spec system, yet I'm £250 better off.

Comparing our rigs directly, him with 2x480's and me with 2x570's (the £250 I saved paid for my 2nd 570 and a closed water-loop cooler for the CPU

) there is minimal difference. We both clocked to ~4.8 - having dabbled with 5.0 briefly - hot hot hot lol - before settling on 4.6ghz. Benchmark-wise he pips me slightly in CPU bound ones due to his 2600k having HT. However, when it comes to gaming there no difference. Really, my £100 cheaper CPU performs every bit as well as his - rather chuffed with that I was.

Now, when we bought the 2700k wasn't available, nor were the new SB-E chips. I think a 2700k would be a good buy, it's a very capable CPU, and in theory it's just a higher binned 2600k - so it should OC like a "good" 2600k with 4.5 being hit easily, and 4.8 being achievable with a little more effort. It'd likely do 5.0ghz with adequte cooling, but only really for fun - I'd not 24/7 such an OC personally.

My personal view is that the 2500k is an epic CPU for gaming and it overclocks very well, it's also darn cheap. A 2600k or 2700k is also a great buy, but for pure gaming use I really don't think it gives enough over the 2500k to justify the extra cost. I saved a chunk of cash going with a 2500k and the mid-range (but still quality components and features) ASUS P8Z68-V Pro board and used the money saved to basically DOUBLE my GPU power - enhancing my gaming further. With the one 570 my system was great, adding the 2nd just transformed things - I've got a fairly large post on the forums regarding my SLI experience.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with whatever your purchase, but I feel you can get more system for you money overall by spending smart now. If money isn't an issue then go for it - I too am tempted by a new SB-E 2011 system, despite having no use for it what so ever over my current rig that does everything I ask of it. But that's the price of being an enthusiast I suppose - still, sensible head wins out in the end for me lol.

Best of luck with whatever you decide

Cheers,

Scoob.

 

[magicc8ball]

If you have not purchased yet the new IVB chips will be out in 3 weeks. I am just waiting for that and in the meantime buying all my other parts. I would go ahead and get Hyper threading, with how fast things are changing it would not hurt to go ahead and have it imho. Weather or not the BF3 hyper threading support is minuscule or not there is nothing out that there that a patch cant change. I thought of this and ya it does seem like a joke that ea would go out and do this but anythings possible lol.