what i ment was. the cache size and clock speeds are much better on the i7 for gaming, These are important factors for gaming rigs. (ofc the i5 is still nothing to sneeze at)
Few numbers:
E8500: 3.16ghz, 6meg cache 1333
E8600: 3.33ghz, 6meg cache 1333
i5 650: 3.2ghz, 4meg cache 1156
i7 960: 3.2ghz, 8meg cache 1366
Disregarding the extra cores because we all know that most games use a max of 2 cores.
Also disregarding optimization and overclocking, ofc some of these cores overclock like crazy especially the i7 and the E8600.
ofc the threading and handling is much better on the new cores to ++ to their score. but i stand by my comment that the i7 is the go because of the cache and speed because this a game rig And you wont be using the extra cores on most games. (depending on user requirement ofc)
But if i had to go a i5 it would probably be this : INTEL CORE i5 750 2.66Ghz 8meg CACHE LGA1156 $ 249
:thumbs: