DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Intel Xeon vs i5 - for gaming PC

44 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/intel-xeon-vs-i5-for-gaming-pc.180020/

beingGamer
beingGamer Original post #1
Dec 15, 2013 at 1:08 PM
Hi everyone, I read in some other thread, there is another CPU names Xeon and it is without integrated graphics.
and i5 has integrated graphics.
so if someone wants to build a gaming pc with a graphics card, i5's integrated graphics has no use at all?

I think i read it in show off thread, the guy said Xeon is like having i7 at the cost of i5 without integrated graphics.

so my question is that, is it really good to go for Xeon for a gaming pc if you are going to buy graphics card?
or it wont make any difference?
ankush28
Dec 15, 2013 at 1:23 PM
Xeon is meant for workstation and servers...
No point in getting xeon for gaming pc:D

Yes i5's IGP has little to no use when running with graphics card...
1.It will work as backup GPU if your GFXCARD went kaput.
2. You can use igp with LucidLogix ;)

If you are buying gaming pc start new thread in pc configuration sub-forum. :)
harshilsharma63
Dec 15, 2013 at 1:25 PM
Xeons perform very good and are available for cheap too. As rightly mentioned, its an i7 without IGP at i5's price.
B
Dec 15, 2013 at 1:25 PM
I'm the guy.

Yes, if you have a dedicated graphics card, don't overclock and don't need quick-sync, Xeon beats i5 hands down. :) Also consumes a little less power.
ankush28
Dec 15, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Xenons perform very good and are available for cheap too. As rightly mentioned, its an i7 without IGP at i5's price.
We are not talking about gases:p:D
Just a typo I know:)
ASHISH65
Dec 15, 2013 at 5:21 PM
Get Xeon with Eyes closed :)
beingGamer
Dec 15, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Get Xeon with Eyes closed :)

I am thinking, but bikramjitkar is the only person who i know has it for gaming :p, i searched a bit, and got to know that its mainly used for servers.
I wonder why no one suggests Xeon for builds anywhere in the forums :|
harshilsharma63
Dec 15, 2013 at 9:26 PM
I am thinking, but bikramjitkar is the only person who i know has it for gaming :p, i searched a bit, and got to know that its mainly used for servers.
I wonder why no one suggests Xeon for builds anywhere in the forums :|

Xeons aren;t generally recommended for gaming because:

an i5 is sufficient for just gaming.
people generally do not need the extra processing power provided by a Xeon over i5.
Xeons aren't generally available in local market.

They are equally good for gaming and provide much more processing power than an equally priced i5.
icebags
icebags #10
Dec 15, 2013 at 9:31 PM
^ so, next time u will suggest xenon to someone who has local / online access to it ?
snap
snap #11
Dec 15, 2013 at 9:34 PM
i too was wondering the same thing if it is an i7 at i5 price then aint it vfm
B
Dec 15, 2013 at 11:18 PM
I am thinking, but bikramjitkar is the only person who i know has it for gaming :p, i searched a bit, and got to know that its mainly used for servers.
I wonder why no one suggests Xeon for builds anywhere in the forums :|

It's the best kept secret when it comes to CPUs. ;)

Xeons are server CPUs, but the E3 series are re-badged desktop parts with a few extra features such as support for ECC memory and are meant for low cost servers.

Availability is also a factor for them being uncommon as most local shops don't stock them. I had to order mine and wait for a couple of weeks for it to arrive.

Check out the reviews on Newegg: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 69W Quad-Core Server Processor BX80637E31230V2 - Newegg.com
icebags
icebags #13
Dec 15, 2013 at 11:55 PM
^how long u been using this and how is ur exp so far ? runs all games without any issues ?

says its socket lga 1155, so it goes into any desktop lga 1155 no problem ?

:eek:
ankush28
ankush28 #14
Dec 16, 2013 at 12:18 AM
says its socket lga 1155, so it goes into any desktop lga 1155 no problem ?

:eek:

AFAIK he has Gigabyte GA-B75m-D3H ;)
Update : look at his Sig.
root.king
root.king #15
Dec 16, 2013 at 1:21 AM
Nice conversation going on :thumbup:
icebags
icebags #16
Dec 16, 2013 at 1:30 AM
i too was wondering the same thing if it is an i7 at i5 price then aint it vfm

itdepot sells xeons, but their price is quite similar to lower tier i7s and k series i5s.
harshilsharma63
Dec 16, 2013 at 10:12 AM
^ so, next time u will suggest xenon to someone who has local / online access to it ?

No, unless he mentines the availability himself or a reliable e-tailer lists it.
B
Dec 16, 2013 at 8:39 PM
^how long u been using this and how is ur exp so far ? runs all games without any issues ?

says its socket lga 1155, so it goes into any desktop lga 1155 no problem ?

:eek:

Been using it for around 8 months now. Stays very stable and cool even in the Kolkata heat :lol:.

I don't game much, but it pretty much destroys anything you throw at it.

Most LGA 1155 boards support it.
icebags
icebags #19
Dec 16, 2013 at 11:39 PM
^ where did u source the proccy from ?

as per it depot price, its same category as i5 k series (~16k), the i5 are probably are better then xeon when overclocked as i read somewhere.

what u think ? i5 4670k vs E3 1230. both 16.5k.
harshilsharma63
Dec 17, 2013 at 7:37 AM
^ where did u source the proccy from ?

as per it depot price, its same category as i5 k series (~16k), the i5 are probably are better then xeon when overclocked as i read somewhere.

what u think ? i5 4670k vs E3 1230. both 16.5k.

Yes, consumer i5s are better overclockers, but you will not need to overclock the Xeon because of it's stock performance :wink:
ankush28
ankush28 #21
Dec 17, 2013 at 11:18 AM
Just one question...!!!
We buy i5-k series + a good cooler(2-3k)+A good overclocking board(+3k) all in all we spend more then whats needed for i7-4770+B85 board so does it worth at all
and obviously some problems of overclocking :'D
harshilsharma63
Dec 17, 2013 at 3:04 PM
Just one question...!!!
We buy i5-k series + a good cooler(2-3k)+A good overclocking board(+3k) all in all we spend more then whats needed for i7-4770+B85 board so does it worth at all
and obviously some problems of overclocking :'D

For the love and fun of overclocking :pray:
B
Dec 17, 2013 at 9:22 PM
^ where did u source the proccy from ?

as per it depot price, its same category as i5 k series (~16k), the i5 are probably are better then xeon when overclocked as i read somewhere.

what u think ? i5 4670k vs E3 1230. both 16.5k.

I got mine from MD Computers, Kolkata for around 15k back in April.

Overclocked i5 would be slightly better in gaming only, but then you will need to invest at least 10k more for a good cooler and z87 mobo than a Xeon and B85 board. That extra 10k can get you a much better graphics card which is much more important than the CPU for gaming. ;)
ASHISH65
ASHISH65 #24
Dec 17, 2013 at 9:40 PM
Overclocked i5 would be slightly better in gaming only, but then you will need to invest at least 10k more for a good cooler and z87 mobo than a Xeon and B85 board. That extra 10k can get you a much better graphics card which is much more important than the CPU for gaming. ;)

Exactly :)
icebags
icebags #25
Dec 17, 2013 at 11:19 PM
^unless some bf3/4 like game shows up that requires a cpu more expensive than the gfx card to even play in lower settings.

i think this video has the ultimate answer. if u want to run thinks cool and quiet, want to save electricity bills and keep things running for most of the time of the day, then xeon is what u need. else if u want a power hungry monster, got for i5k.

overclocked i5k basically beats stock xeon and i7s as it seems.

beingGamer
Dec 18, 2013 at 12:05 AM
Great finding, explains it very well. :)
D
Dec 28, 2013 at 6:32 PM
dont Xeon cpu's have a 1 year warranty compared to 3 years of the i5 and i7's ?
harshilsharma63
Dec 28, 2013 at 7:30 PM
dont Xeon cpu's have a 1 year warranty compared to 3 years of the i5 and i7's ?

Newegg states the warranty period as 3 years. no information available on official profuct page.
bssunilreddy
Dec 28, 2013 at 8:41 PM
The problem with Intel Xeon E3 1230V2 compatible MB is that it does not have sufficient SATA3 ports.2 is not at all sufficient.Can anybody specify any 1155 compatible MB which has SATA3 ports more than 2.I mean all the MB's have only 2 ports.

In the long run Xeon is best when compared to i5.
ASHISH65
ASHISH65 #30
Dec 28, 2013 at 9:15 PM
The problem with Intel Xeon E3 1230V2 compatible MB is that it does not have sufficient SATA3 ports.2 is not at all sufficient.Can anybody specify any 1155 compatible MB which has SATA3 ports more than 2.I mean all the MB's have only 2 ports.

In the long run Xeon is best when compared to i5.

SATA 3 is only useful if you plan to install SSD.Harddrive can't utilize the Sata 3 speed :)
M
Dec 29, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Guys, looks like E3 1230 is a very good choice. Any similar Xeon processor for the LGA1150 socket?
bssunilreddy
Dec 29, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Guys, looks like E3 1230 is a very good choice. Any similar Xeon processor for the LGA1150 socket?

Intel Xeon E3 1230 v3 is a similar CPU for LGA1150 socket. The only difference between v2 and v3 is that v3 has iGPU which is a waste but v2 supporting MB's does not have sufficient SATA3 ports & does not have hyper-threading.Max LGA1155 MB's get is 2xSATA3 & 3xSATA2 otherwise v2 is an excellent CPU in the long run and also consumes less power and have hyper-threading.
rijinpk1
rijinpk1 #34
Dec 29, 2013 at 10:22 PM
Intel Xeon E3 1230 v3 is a similar CPU for LGA1150 socket. The only difference between v2 and v3 is that v3 has iGPU which is a waste but v2 supporting MB's does not have sufficient SATA3 ports & does not have hyper-threading.Max LGA1155 MB's get is 2xSATA3 & 3xSATA2 otherwise v2 is an excellent CPU in the long run and also consumes less power and have hyper-threading.

search these processors on intel website and edit your post accordingly
xeon e3 1230v2
e3 1225
e3 1225 v3
e3 1230 v3
e3 1245v3
B
Dec 30, 2013 at 12:19 AM
Intel Xeon E3 1230 v3 is a similar CPU for LGA1150 socket. The only difference between v2 and v3 is that v3 has iGPU which is a waste but v2 supporting MB's does not have sufficient SATA3 ports & does not have hyper-threading.Max LGA1155 MB's get is 2xSATA3 & 3xSATA2 otherwise v2 is an excellent CPU in the long run and also consumes less power and have hyper-threading.

Both 1230 V2 (which I own) and V3 have hyperthreading. About the SATA3 ports, yes lga 1155 boards have 2 native ports, but there are many boards with extra ports via 3rd party SATA controllers.
bssunilreddy
Dec 30, 2013 at 9:24 AM
Both 1230 V2 (which I own) and V3 have hyperthreading. About the SATA3 ports, yes lga 1155 boards have 2 native ports, but there are many boards with extra ports via 3rd party SATA controllers.

Most of the boards are Z series where as Xeon requires just H series or B series.
bssunilreddy
Dec 30, 2013 at 10:42 AM
That doesn't mean you cannot use Xeon in a z series chipset board.

What is the use of Xeon which is non OC CPU using on a Z series MB simply waste of money. I think Gigabyte is better since it has Dual bios for backup as well.
Xeon E3 1230v2 is better than Xeon E3 1230 v3 if only 2 SATA3 ports are sufficient.
ASHISH65
ASHISH65 #39
Dec 30, 2013 at 10:52 AM
2 x Sata 3 ports are more than enough. Sata 3 is only useful if you are installing SSD,for HD it's no use

Who installs more than 2 ssd ???
bssunilreddy
Dec 30, 2013 at 10:58 AM
2 x Sata 3 ports are more than enough. Sata 3 is only useful if you are installing SSD,for HD it's no use

Who installs more than 2 ssd ???

Then its good.Its like getting a i7 at the price of i5 but with lower clocks.
C
Feb 13, 2014 at 9:54 PM
Lets say as of now it costs me ~ 18K for Intel 4440 with Gigabyte B85-D3H , wht would be a combo in case of Xeon without change in cost with increased performance
rijinpk1
rijinpk1 #43
Feb 14, 2014 at 11:54 AM
Lets say as of now it costs me ~ 18K for Intel 4440 with Gigabyte B85-D3H , wht would be a combo in case of Xeon without change in cost with increased performance

it is highly unlikely you may get one under that budget.