6850 or i5 2500k

[nightbeckons]

Hi all, first post here(edited). Below is my attempt to build my first hackintosh. I just realized that i3 2100 only provides intel HD 2000 and is not supported by lion so I either have to get a graphics card or return my i3 to microcenter and get an i5 2500k with intel HD 3000.

I'm excited about mac os x lion 10.7.3 but have no experience with it whatsoever so I'm not sure how graphic intensive it can get. As per usage, aside from being a regular user(watch videos etc.) I'm also an occasional gamer (SC2, maybe Diablo 3 when it comes out). I don't do video editing or 3d modeling or anything of that sort.

Right now I'm undecided between something like radeon 6850, which I'm having a hard time justifying its cost, and i5 2500k.

Thanks a lot guys..

========
Have:
Intel Core I3-2100 Processor $99.99
Or Intel Core i5 3.3 GHz Processor $219.99
Crucial 128 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT128M4SSD2 $160.00
NZXT H2 $74.99
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Series 460W ATX Form Factor 12V V2.01 Power Supply - (RS460-PMSRA3-US) $29.77
GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $106.19
DDR3 8GB (2x4GB) 1333MHz with XMS Heat Spreader, CORSAIR CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 $25.87
Looking at :
Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6850 PCIE Video Card (100315L)
or GIGABYTE ATI Radeon HD6850 1GB DDR5 2DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card GV-R685OC-1GD

 

[Gordo74]

You could get a i3-2105 which is a 2100 with HD3000 in it. If you arent doing anything video intensive such as gaming, the HD3000 will be enough for your needs. No need to get a $150 video card for a machine that isnt going to use it.

 

[nightbeckons]

Thanks !!! I didn't know 2105 has HD 3000 in it.

May still opt to get a video card later, but now I think I'd be perfectly happy to have the option of skipping that extra $150

You could get a i3-2105 which is a 2100 with HD3000 in it. If you arent doing anything video intensive such as gaming, the HD3000 will be enough for your needs. No need to get a $150 video card for a machine that isnt going to use it.

 

[humanoidal]

Go for 2500k if you have the money and use the integrated HD 3000

 

[bcarlzson]

Thanks !!! I didn't know 2105 has HD 3000 in it.

May still opt to get a video card later, but now I think I'd be perfectly happy to have the option of skipping that extra $150

You could get a i3-2105 which is a 2100 with HD3000 in it. If you arent doing anything video intensive such as gaming, the HD3000 will be enough for your needs. No need to get a $150 video card for a machine that isnt going to use it.

Micocenter also has the 2125, if they give you full credit for the return that will only be $20 upgrade cost and it has hd3000

 

[nightbeckons]

Go for 2500k if you have the money and use the integrated HD 3000

limited budget the extra kick that i5 brings with it sounds really tempting but I don't really have any plans for it just yet. maybe I will save up and upgrade to i7+ 6870

 

[nightbeckons]

Thanks !!! I didn't know 2105 has HD 3000 in it.

May still opt to get a video card later, but now I think I'd be perfectly happy to have the option of skipping that extra $150

You could get a i3-2105 which is a 2100 with HD3000 in it. If you arent doing anything video intensive such as gaming, the HD3000 will be enough for your needs. No need to get a $150 video card for a machine that isnt going to use it.

Micocenter also has the 2125, if they give you full credit for the return that will only be $20 upgrade cost and it has hd3000

Thanks!! I think this is it. Plenty in stock at $119

 

[Stork]

I just put together a new system with a i3-2125 processor for the HD 3000 graphics, and I'm impressed with the snappiness.

 

[ChiefWizard]

If you really want a discrete card the HD 6670 is a very capable card that I've put in builds for a lot of people (granted under windows). It can drive 3 1080p monitors just fine (just don't plan on playing any games on all 3) and handles heavy graphical work a lot better than the integrated graphics. I recently bought one on sale from newegg for $62. That would give you some room to buy the 2500K if your really wanting both.

(though I am basing this off its performance in windows, Ubuntu and arch linux).

I have a HD 5770 in my hack and it even seems to be overkill even with 3 monitors. Though as Gordo74 said the integrated 3000 would be sufficient for anything non graphically heavy.

Just my $0.02

 

[goober296]

What do you have in the way of old video cards laying around? You might be surprised what is cheap and compatible with a hack. You might not have to shell out money for a "new" card.