Consider swapping the Intel Core i7-4770K for a Xeon E5-1620 v3.
Consider swapping the Intel Core i7-4770K for a Xeon E5-1620 v3.
I understand these ideas are outdated, but I don’t have funds for a new setup. My PC has an i7-4770K with 8GB DDR3 and my old workstation features an Xeon E5-1620 v3 with 32GB DDR4. I’m considering swapping in an old R9 290 graphics card to run as a gaming PC while using the i7-4770K for storage. The two processors look similar, though the i7 should offer a slight edge. Is it worth the upgrade for more memory, or should I keep what I have? If I choose to stay, the Xeon will likely become a NAS. Thanks for your guidance!
depends on the specs; DDR4 offers quicker RAM overall. While the i7 is still better, the faster RAM will make the XEON nearly match your i7. Plus, having more RAM on the XEON helps with certain games. So yes, consider upgrading.
Your current i7 setup with a Z87 or Z97 board offers superior performance compared to an Xeon. However, you might prefer a more powerful Xeon with higher core count instead of just boosting clock speed. The E5-1650v3 and E5-1650v4 models are solid choices. They provide solid speeds and handle 12 threads efficiently. Priced around $150–200, they’re a good balance. If you plan to use the i7 as a NAS, consider replacing it with an i3 for better efficiency and more budget for the faster Xeon.
The NAS will also serve as a monitoring system (with local deepstackAI), Plex, home assistant, etc. (provided it runs everything at once). I was advised to opt for a more capable CPU. Right now I’m not interested in buying or selling; I just aim to get the most out of what I already have. Once I have extra funds, I’ll think about a full new build and then upgrade my NAS and my wife’s PC using what comes from her old machine.