I have a Core i5 2300. Its a decent CPU that paired up with a HD 6870 1GB, and 8GB of system ram is fast enough for now for what I'm doing: Games, scientific applications, the occasional bit of video editing, and tons of homework for pharmacy college.
However, I'm looking at upgrading potential in the future. Whenever I see a benchmark for a "K" series processor on Passmark it is always substantially ahead of its non-K variety even at similar clock speeds. Okay, it has a better graphics processing unit *(HD3000 vs HD2000 in the non-K), and I understand passmark reflects that, and it probably should. What I am asking is, does the difference show up in actual system performance otherwise? The only time I'll be using HD2000 or HD3000 graphics is if I'm RMA'ing a graphics card, or maybe trouble shooting a driver. Though I suppose its not inconceivable that I could find a need for 8 monitors ...
So real world, should I be extrapolating results the 2600 (non K) performance to see what say a 2700K can really do, or take those 2700K benchmarks as what they are for running with a graphics card?
Might I do better with the upgrade dollar going to SSD's rather than looking at processors at all down the road? I took the time to put in reasonably quick 7200RPM drives, but its nowhere near SSD level performance.
However, I'm looking at upgrading potential in the future. Whenever I see a benchmark for a "K" series processor on Passmark it is always substantially ahead of its non-K variety even at similar clock speeds. Okay, it has a better graphics processing unit *(HD3000 vs HD2000 in the non-K), and I understand passmark reflects that, and it probably should. What I am asking is, does the difference show up in actual system performance otherwise? The only time I'll be using HD2000 or HD3000 graphics is if I'm RMA'ing a graphics card, or maybe trouble shooting a driver. Though I suppose its not inconceivable that I could find a need for 8 monitors ...
So real world, should I be extrapolating results the 2600 (non K) performance to see what say a 2700K can really do, or take those 2700K benchmarks as what they are for running with a graphics card?
Might I do better with the upgrade dollar going to SSD's rather than looking at processors at all down the road? I took the time to put in reasonably quick 7200RPM drives, but its nowhere near SSD level performance.
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