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i5 or i7 for streaming?
posted in Hardware
1
#1
0 Frags +

So I decided that my Phenom II just won't work well for streaming. Therefore, I am upgrading my computer. I looked at the new Piledriver processors and they seem to not do as well as even an i3. Considering my motherboard does not support AM3+ in any way (maybe Asus could make it work, but they just don't want to), I'll have to buy a new motherboard, so I might as well go with Intel. However, I don't know which one I should get. Is it worth it to pay a little extra for an Ivy or should I save my money and get the Sandy? Also, will an i5 be sufficient or would I benefit from the i7?

If it's important, I use OBS.

So I decided that my Phenom II just won't work well for streaming. Therefore, I am upgrading my computer. I looked at the new Piledriver processors and they seem to not do as well as even an i3. Considering my motherboard does not support AM3+ in any way (maybe Asus could make it work, but they just don't want to), I'll have to buy a new motherboard, so I might as well go with Intel. However, I don't know which one I should get. Is it worth it to pay a little extra for an Ivy or should I save my money and get the Sandy? Also, will an i5 be sufficient or would I benefit from the i7?

If it's important, I use OBS.
2
#2
1 Frags +

grab the i7 if youre comfortable spending the money

i think its the difference between occasionally having stuttery gameplay if youre trying to stream fps

grab the i7 if youre comfortable spending the money

i think its the difference between occasionally having stuttery gameplay if youre trying to stream fps
3
#3
0 Frags +

you're in the same shoes as me. I used to have the Phenom II, I just got the i5-3570K and got a completely new computer. I JUST OC it to 4.2, and im testing the stream right now.

you're in the same shoes as me. I used to have the Phenom II, I just got the i5-3570K and got a completely new computer. I JUST OC it to 4.2, and im testing the stream right now.
4
#4
1 Frags +

anything 2500k and up is more than enough for streaming, more is always better, but really not needed. even on stock speeds a 2500k is more than enough

anything 2500k and up is more than enough for streaming, more is always better, but really not needed. even on stock speeds a 2500k is more than enough
5
#5
1 Frags +

I got an i5 3570 Ivy and I've never streamed, but I'm pretty sure it would do fine

I got an i5 3570 Ivy and I've never streamed, but I'm pretty sure it would do fine
6
#6
0 Frags +

do you actually have one #4? I've known several people including myself that couldnt get stuttering issues fixed with a 2500k. 720p on tf2 isn't really an option even though it is in other games. could be an issue solved with obs, but I haven't had the chance to mess with it much

do you actually have one #4? I've known several people including myself that couldnt get stuttering issues fixed with a 2500k. 720p on tf2 isn't really an option even though it is in other games. could be an issue solved with obs, but I haven't had the chance to mess with it much
7
#7
0 Frags +

#2
i7 is pretty awesome

#2
i7 is pretty awesome
8
#8
0 Frags +

i have the i7 @ 4.4 GHz, so far i haven't had any problems streaming at 60fps with two monitors

i have the i7 @ 4.4 GHz, so far i haven't had any problems streaming at 60fps with two monitors
9
#9
1 Frags +

You're gonna have to be more specific than "i5 and i7," there are a lot of different processors there

You're gonna have to be more specific than "i5 and i7," there are a lot of different processors there
10
#10
0 Frags +

Alright, so I'm heavily considering the i7. But there are so many of them... I know the 2000s are Sandy and the 3000s are Ivy. The 2700K is $285 on Amazon, and just the 3770 is $300. I've heard that Ivy isn't worth it and the Sandys do the job just fine, but I've also heard that the improvements with Ivy are worth it to pay extra. Halp pls

This is what I'm currently considering: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ls2m

More questions too:

Should I get a 3rd party cooler? I might overclock, so it might be a good idea.

What are some good motherboards? I think I might go with that Asus as my current one is Asus and I've had no problems with it. If there's a similar one without the VGA port that's cheaper, please give me the link. Also, if you think I'd be better off with a different one, please give me the link.

For RAM, I'm not sure yet. I had 2 Corsair sticks and one went out on me.

Storage/Video card will be carried over from my current computer, at least for now. Might upgrade to a 660Ti.

Not 100% sure I'll be getting a new case, but I do believe the side fan on my current one is going out; it's so loud that I can take the side off and it will still be quieter. The back fan is already out.

I'm guessing that my 600W PSU should be good enough to power all this and my 6870.

Optical drive/monitor/OS/keyboard/mouse will all be the same as my current computer for now.

tranchemusicYou're gonna have to be more specific than "i5 and i7," there are a lot of different processors there

I meant to be vague to start out with. All the i7s should be better than the i5s, so I see no problem. Probably should have named the thread differently now that I think about it.

Alright, so I'm heavily considering the i7. But there are so many of them... I know the 2000s are Sandy and the 3000s are Ivy. The 2700K is $285 on Amazon, and just the 3770 is $300. I've heard that Ivy isn't worth it and the Sandys do the job just fine, but I've also heard that the improvements with Ivy are worth it to pay extra. Halp pls

This is what I'm currently considering: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ls2m

More questions too:

Should I get a 3rd party cooler? I might overclock, so it might be a good idea.

What are some good motherboards? I think I might go with that Asus as my current one is Asus and I've had no problems with it. If there's a similar one without the VGA port that's cheaper, please give me the link. Also, if you think I'd be better off with a different one, please give me the link.

For RAM, I'm not sure yet. I had 2 Corsair sticks and one went out on me.

Storage/Video card will be carried over from my current computer, at least for now. Might upgrade to a 660Ti.

Not 100% sure I'll be getting a new case, but I do believe the side fan on my current one is going out; it's so loud that I can take the side off and it will still be quieter. The back fan is already out.

I'm guessing that my 600W PSU should be good enough to power all this and my 6870.

Optical drive/monitor/OS/keyboard/mouse will all be the same as my current computer for now.

[quote=tranchemusic]You're gonna have to be more specific than "i5 and i7," there are a lot of different processors there[/quote]
I meant to be vague to start out with. All the i7s should be better than the i5s, so I see no problem. Probably should have named the thread differently now that I think about it.
11
#11
0 Frags +

i have a 2500k and a 2600k. they both run fine. just oc it and you'll be good to go for streaming.

for a cpu cooler i got the noctus nh-d14

i have a 2500k and a 2600k. they both run fine. just oc it and you'll be good to go for streaming.

for a cpu cooler i got the noctus nh-d14
12
#12
0 Frags +

If you think you will overclock then yes, definitely get a cooling solution on that badboy. Asus makes pretty solid motherboards; that's what I use. Gigabyte is also another decent option.

"All the i7s should be better than the i5s" is an inaccurate statement at best. Especially when it comes to applications that don't really benefit from multicore processors, some of the higher-end i5s get MILES better performance (and benchmark results) then relatively low i7s. I have an i5 655k, and it overclocks like a fiend. Love it. That being said, if I was doing a build right now I'd probably go with a 2600k.

Cases are pretty cheap, make sure to something big enough + with good airflow. Coolermasters and Antecs are nice for the price.

Corsair is the best for RAM.

600W should be plenty.

If you have any questions about other things feel free to bug me on steam, I have a bit of experience with home builds

If you think you will overclock then yes, definitely get a cooling solution on that badboy. Asus makes pretty solid motherboards; that's what I use. Gigabyte is also another decent option.

"All the i7s should be better than the i5s" is an inaccurate statement at best. Especially when it comes to applications that don't really benefit from multicore processors, some of the higher-end i5s get MILES better performance (and benchmark results) then relatively low i7s. I have an i5 655k, and it overclocks like a fiend. Love it. That being said, if I was doing a build right now I'd probably go with a 2600k.

Cases are pretty cheap, make sure to something big enough + with good airflow. Coolermasters and Antecs are nice for the price.

Corsair is the best for RAM.

600W should be plenty.

If you have any questions about other things feel free to bug me on steam, I have a bit of experience with home builds
13
#13
0 Frags +

fx's are bad for streaming fyi

fx's are bad for streaming fyi
14
#14
0 Frags +

Bump

I need to know if Sandy or Ivy would be better. Ivy seems to have better video rendering, but because of its built-in GPU. This might be irrelevant as I already have a dedicated video card. There is better performance with Ivy but it seems to run hotter and not able to be overclocked as well. So is the 3770k worth it or should I just get the trusted 2600k?

Bump

I need to know if Sandy or Ivy would be better. Ivy seems to have better video rendering, but because of its built-in GPU. This might be irrelevant as I already have a dedicated video card. There is better performance with Ivy but it seems to run hotter and not able to be overclocked as well. So is the 3770k worth it or should I just get the trusted 2600k?
15
#15
0 Frags +
hookyBump

I need to know if Sandy or Ivy would be better. Ivy seems to have better video rendering, but because of its built-in GPU. This might be irrelevant as I already have a dedicated video card. There is better performance with Ivy but it seems to run hotter and not able to be overclocked as well. So is the 3770k worth it or should I just get the trusted 2600k?

3770k works perfectly, i have it.

[quote=hooky]Bump

I need to know if Sandy or Ivy would be better. Ivy seems to have better video rendering, but because of its built-in GPU. This might be irrelevant as I already have a dedicated video card. There is better performance with Ivy but it seems to run hotter and not able to be overclocked as well. So is the 3770k worth it or should I just get the trusted 2600k?[/quote]
3770k works perfectly, i have it.
16
#16
0 Frags +

i have an i5, streams just fine

i have an i5, streams just fine
17
#17
1 Frags +

I think an i7 is an unnecessary expense. The only real differences between the comparable i5 and i7 processors are that the i7 chips support hyperthreading and have an increase in cache. Hyperthreading doesn't really add anything unless you're running software that is optimized for high thread counts. Hyperthreading does not give you more cores nor does it mimic the performance of extra cores in regular computing.

It could be argued that hyperthreading benefits streaming because video encoding is an instance where extra cores and threads can be utilized, and in the future, that may be true, but an i5-3570k is more than adequate for streaming TF2 at 60 fps in 720p while maintaining 120+ fps in-game.

tl;dr: if you have the dough in your budget to get an i7, go for it as it's certainly not going to hurt anything, but an i5-3570k ivy bridge cpu is adequate if you want to save $100.

I think an i7 is an unnecessary expense. The only real differences between the comparable i5 and i7 processors are that the i7 chips support hyperthreading and have an increase in cache. Hyperthreading doesn't really add anything unless you're running software that is optimized for high thread counts. Hyperthreading does not give you more cores nor does it mimic the performance of extra cores in regular computing.

It could be argued that hyperthreading benefits streaming because video encoding is an instance where extra cores and threads can be utilized, and in the future, that may be true, but an i5-3570k is more than adequate for streaming TF2 at 60 fps in 720p while maintaining 120+ fps in-game.


tl;dr: if you have the dough in your budget to get an i7, go for it as it's certainly not going to hurt anything, but an i5-3570k ivy bridge cpu is adequate if you want to save $100.
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