Will I regret buying a "K" CPU?


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I bought a 3570. The 3570K was ?5 more, but it's not as simple as that, because to overclock it, I'd have to buy a new (decent) fan, which would probably be ?25 or something.

In the end, I decided to save the ?30+, and also save the space in my PC case (such fans tend to be large, and my GPU (7870 "Tahiti LE") is already HUGE).

Will I regret this decision? :D

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should have got teh K

also Hyper 212 EVO is only 25-30 bucks.

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Do you have much stuff that takes up space above your CPU? Even with my large CPU cooler and GFX card I have enough room to stick my hand between them (And still get a 1Ghz overclock)

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and gamer with that cpu must get an aftermarket heatsink/cooler -> Evo 212 as suggested by Remixedcat is cheap and a solid performer, the default heatsink Intel gives you is rubbish.

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So the CPU would be ?5 more, and that Evo 212 is ?28 ($42).

I think I made the right decision.

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It looks like you've already rationalized your decision :)

Not quite. You know that feeling that you've made a huge mistake? :p

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So the CPU would be ?5 more, and that Evo 212 is ?28 ($42).

I think I made the right decision.

i'm just saying in general, anyone who games or heavily utilises an i5 or i7 for gaming and intense tasks are wise if they look after their hardware by adequate cooling. #justsaying :)

In terms of the difference between, 3570 and K version, it really depends if you are heavily into overclocking, otherwise i'd say you see little next to nothing FPS increase in gaming, nothing hectic anyway, maybe faster processing for image, video rendering, but hey, it all really depends mate.

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Not quite. You know that feeling that you've made a huge mistake? :p

I know what you mean. However, in your situation, a penny saved is a penny earned :)

It's better to regret not buying something, still having money in your pocket, than to regret spending your hard-earned cash on crap you don't need :)

If that stock cooler turns out to be noisy for you, you can always upgrade it down the road.

Enjoy your new set-up!

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I got the same CPU as you but the K model along with a Noctua NH-U12P cooler. I couldn't be happier. It overclocks like a breeze and I can't hear the fan spinning. I would've regret not buying the K model personally, but like others have said, you know yourself better than we do.

Ultimately, if you have no such goals, then you have made the right decision.

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Argh, I cancelled it and ordered the K! :o

Was only ?3.50 more.

EDIT: "Unfortunately we weren't able to cancel the following item(s) from your order:

Intel Core I5-3570 Processor (3.40GHZ, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155)

When you receive your order, you're welcome to refuse the package and it will be returned to us."

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and gamer with that cpu must get an aftermarket heatsink/cooler -> Evo 212 as suggested by Remixedcat is cheap and a solid performer, the default heatsink Intel gives you is rubbish.

Rubbish? No; however, the Ivy Bridge CPUs are heat monsters (even more than Conroe, Kentsfield, or any other LGA CPU except maybe the EEs).

I too would recommend the EVO (or the EVO's little brother, the Hyper212+) - neither is all THAT large, or all that pricey, either.

You might be thinking of the older three-wire fans that Intel USED to include with the first LGA775 CPUs - those fans were INDEED rubbish. (Those were replaced with 4-wire fans starting with Kentsfield; the only CPUs in boxes that have the older 3-wire fans are older Celeron and Pentium DCs based on Conroe. I have both an E3400 Wolfdale and a Q6600 Kentsfield (the Q replaced the E) - both have four-wire fans.)

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Would you rather spend the 30 something now and have peace of mind that your CPU won't roast or would you rather pay 200+ later??? I'd take the first option.

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Would you rather spend the 30 something now and have peace of mind that your CPU won't roast or would you rather pay 200+ later??? I'd take the first option.

I've never overclocked, and have never once had an issue with a stock CPU cooler. Intel aren't stupid :o

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Still, it's always a good idea to have a better than rated cooler. OCing or not.

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Stick with non-K

I purposefully bought a non-K because then once my setup is complete and stable, I won't get the urge to over clock and make it run hotter or unstable.

Also I figured that over clocking is not going to make difference in majority of games.

If you are into that 3D Mark e-peni* score game, then only buy "K" version.

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It all depends on your needs as the K and non K chips aren't 100% identical. For instance, K series chips lack VT-d support. If you're planning on using VMs a lot and not planning on overclocking then a K series chip is worse off than a non-K. Basically, it all depends on your needs and what the chip offers. But a K isn't the same as a non-K with the ability to overclock. Intel doesn't like to make anything that easy :p

Would you rather spend the 30 something now and have peace of mind that your CPU won't roast or would you rather pay 200+ later??? I'd take the first option.

Keep in mind that if your CPU roasted due to a failure of the stock fan when properly installed Intel would be obligated to replace it for you as long as you purchased the retail chip. Intel gives all of their retail chips a three year warranty. As a result, I'm sure the stock cooler is more than enough unless you have needs that extend beyond that (overclocking, quieter operation, etc.).

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It all depends on your needs as the K and non K chips aren't 100% identical. For instance, K series chips lack VT-d support. If you're planning on using VMs a lot and not planning on overclocking then a K series chip is worse off than a non-K. Basically, it all depends on your needs and what the chip offers. But a K isn't the same as a non-K with the ability to overclock. Intel doesn't like to make anything that easy :p

Keep in mind that if your CPU roasted due to a failure of the stock fan when properly installed Intel would be obligated to replace it for you as long as you purchased the retail chip. Intel gives all of their retail chips a three year warranty. As a result, I'm sure the stock cooler is more than enough unless you have needs that extend beyond that (overclocking, quieter operation, etc.).

Wouldn't you rather not go through the RMA stuff though? I had to RMA 2 AMD CPUs and it wasn't that fun. I'd rather buy better stuff I wouldn't have to RMA. Not chance anything.

I have a K and I run VMs fine BTW. Using Hyper-v

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I bought a 3570. The 3570K was ?5 more, but it's not as simple as that, because to overclock it, I'd have to buy a new (decent) fan, which would probably be ?25 or something.

In the end, I decided to save the ?30+, and also save the space in my PC case (such fans tend to be large, and my GPU (7870 "Tahiti LE") is already HUGE).

Will I regret this decision? :D

You'll probably end up replacing the stock Intel CPU cooler within the year anyway. You may as well do it now, rather then arsing about replacing it later on.

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Keep in mind that if your CPU roasted due to a failure of the stock fan when properly installed Intel would be obligated to replace it for you as long as you purchased the retail chip. Intel gives all of their retail chips a three year warranty. As a result, I'm sure the stock cooler is more than enough unless you have needs that extend beyond that (overclocking, quieter operation, etc.).

It's next to impossible to burn an Intel CPU if it's voltages are in range. The thermal-mass of the heat sink is enough for it to run without the fan working. However, the CPU's own thermal cut-out, will speed step the CPU down to protect it. You can, although wouldn't recommend it, remove the heat sink and it'll not burn out. I wouldn't hold out much hope of ever using their warranty on a failed stock cooler, they'll be replacing it because the chip itself failed, and of course, Intel will never know if you used a stock cooler or not... unless you tell them :)

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