Trying to decide. Core i5 or i7?

Building a new computer as right now my 5 year old Dell Laptop just isn't cutting it with the photo software. just takes too long. Anyway, trying to decide between a 3rd gen3570k Core i5 for $190 or the 3rd gen Core i7 3770k for $290. Both have integrated video and are the latest generation, but not sure if the $100 difference is worth what you get.

My build specs...

MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
750 watt 80 plus silver power supply
blue ray combo drive
HD either a WD caviar black 1tb to start or the 1tb Red drive. May also do an intel 128gb SSD as the boot drive.
16mb 1600 DDR3 memory, but not sure what type.
Will also probably grab a GPU in the $70-$100 range. Something with 1gb onboard memory.

My choice is between those two processors because if you get the processor and MB at the same time you get a $50 instant discount. Since the processors are priced similar to Newegg, the MB for $50 cheaper turns a $190 MB into a $130 one.

Planning to use it for now with Lightroom and Photomatix or some other HDR program. Can add drives as needed as it is a mid ATX case.

I faced the same decision last week and ended up going with the 3570K. With the money I saved, I bought my first SSD.

Go for the i7. Its only a $100 and its going to be worth it.

If you're not doing video work the i5 will be 99% as fast as the i7. If $100 is significant to you save the money and get an SSD, which will make a much bigger difference. If you don't care about $100 get the i7, just because sometimes it's nice to have the best for the occasional time you'll use it - like handbrake encoding.

Thanks for the input Tim. I can count on one hand how many times I have even taken a video clip in the last ten years. I've never edited video. I use my computer for internet, MS Office, and now the photo programs. I was playing with the Photomatix trial version last night and would sit here for two minutes every three photos I tried to grab to merge. Just using the Canon DPP software, it takes 30 seconds to convert and save each image. I'm hoping to bring that down significantly. (current pc is Athlon X2 1800 and 2 gigs memory)

The PSU is overkill if you're not going to overclock.

Keep in mind that software continually changes. If your software currently isn't taking advantage of hyper threading,it may in the next release. I vote for the i7. I was in the boat 8 months ago. I picked up the 2600k and never looked back. The i7's are worth it I. My opinion.

The PSU Is too powerful, and it wont be running efficiently ( efficiency peaks at about 60% utilization). For GPU a radeon 7750 is all you need unless you are a gamer.

AMD is launching a new series of CPUs next week, it might be worth waiting for the reviews on these new chips.

A good quality 400W power supply would do it. I've never heard the max efficiency at 60% utilization thing before, but I have no reason to doubt it.

nVidia GPUs are better for Adobe products.

Crazy low price on the i7-3770k today: ($279.99)

http://www.tigerdirect​.com …Bk-NtJWNOMqsnmerLY6xqDRvg

The i5 will be just fine for you. By any chance do you have a MicroCenter around you? They sell the i5 brand new for $160 in store. I have mine overclocked to 4.2ghz and running 12GB of RAM. Photoshop, Premier, Lightroom all fly for me.

I'm gonna go with the i7 based on the fact that with the micro center discount ( I assume that's where you are getting the $50 off mobo since your location says Cleveland) and CPU pricing, it's still cheaper than newegg and IMO worth the money to just get the better of the two.

newegg : $519.98 (pretax)

microcenter : $419.98 (pretax)

i7 v i5.
i7 is kind of future proof while you may want to upgrade if you have an i5 which isn't conducive to budget. The i5 may well be $100 cheaper, but you have to re-install windows if that is your flavour

16mb, I assume you mean 16Gb

Also look into deals at Micro Center. I have seen a lot of deals in their flyer with processor and MoBo with $50 off or something.