i5-4690K vs. i7-2600K

serialthrilla

New Member
Which one is better?

I was just about to purchase my rig with an i5-4690k, but my old computer has a i7-2600s that I could salvage. Should I just keep my old i7-2600s? Thanks:)

****** Made a mistake in the title, it's actually a Intel Core i7 2600s, not a i7-2600k ****************
 
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You have 2 different socket processors there, they won't work in the same motherboard. What motherboard are you getting?
 
You have 2 different socket processors there, they won't work in the same motherboard. What motherboard are you getting?

I was planning on getting either Gigabyte GA-Z97X or an ASUS motherboard. Honestly I don't know much about computers so I'm not sure what you mean by 2 different socket processors. I'm trying to decide whether or not it's worth like $250 for a new processor (i5 4690) or if I should just transplant my old 2600s into a new case/motherboard.

Actually if was to use the old 2600s I'd probably get a ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 for it. Would that be compatible?
 
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That ASRock board would work but if you do get that board you have no chance of upgrading to a better processor later down the line. The 2600 is the highest end processor for that socket. The K version would give you overclockability but other than that you're basically stuck with what you've got. If you plan on having your computer for a while before changing it I would go ahead and get the i5 now.
 
Is there a problem with the board the 2600 is in now?

Well, it's pretty crappy from I've been told. Here it is:

Manufacturer: Pegatron
Form factor: uATX - 24.4 cm (9.6 inches) x 24.4 cm (9.6 inches)
Chipset: Intel H61
Memory sockets: 2 x DDR3
Front side bus speeds: 2.5 GT/s
Processor socket: LGA 1155
Expansion Slots:
1 PCI Express x16
3 PCI Express x1
1 PCI Express Mini Card x1
 
Well, it's pretty crappy from I've been told. Here it is:

Manufacturer: Pegatron
Form factor: uATX - 24.4 cm (9.6 inches) x 24.4 cm (9.6 inches)
Chipset: Intel H61
Memory sockets: 2 x DDR3
Front side bus speeds: 2.5 GT/s
Processor socket: LGA 1155
Expansion Slots:
1 PCI Express x16
3 PCI Express x1
1 PCI Express Mini Card x1

This seems like you have an OEM computer such as an HP? The problem you have is that if this is an OEM computer, you won't be able to reuse the OS that is currently installed as the license won't transfer from OEM to new motherboard.
 
Unless you need more space for RAM then you'd probably be fine using that board in your new machine. Once you feel like that has run its course you can replace the motherboard and processor at once instead of buying an old board now that will be immediately out of date and non upgradeable. If you did get the i5 then you'd be able to upgrade to an i7, but only of the same socket type, so in a few years you'll be getting an older i7 by that point.

So you have 3 options.
-Use current board and CPU and upgrade later when your CPU becomes too slow or the board limits expansion.

-Buy a new board for current CPU. This is pretty much pointless to me unless you absolutely need more RAM space or something like that but don't want to buy a new processor.

-Get new board and chip now.

I'd pick the first and upgrade later when you need to.

OS doesn't seem to be an issue since he's building a new machine anyway. He'll need a new OS either way. Keeping the motherboard you could probably get away with using the same Windows OS though, just with a fresh install.
 
You could get a cheap Z68 Socket 1155 board for that i7 - look second-hand.

I would probably get the i5 and a new board because this is a completely new build... if you got the i5 4690K and overclocked it it would be faster than an i7 2600s: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/287?vs=1261 even at stock the i5 is faster.

The only difference between the i7 2600s and the i7 2600K by the way was that the S was the power-saving one and the K was the multiplier unlocked one. Otherwise they're very similar. Anandtech didn't have the S, so I compared the 4690K to the 2600K.
 
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