IntelSandybridge i5-2500K Unlocked Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155)

The Core i5 2500K Is an absolutely brilliant processor, it is so damn fast, and is a worthy upgrade from a Core i5 750 that I had before, it overclocks like a beast, in 5 minutes I went from the stock 3.3GHz to 4.5Ghz just by changing the multiplier and upping the Vcore voltage by a very tiny amount and then rebooting, it's so easy to overclock Sandy Bridge that it's just about a no brainer to do so.I could easily hit 4.8GHz or even higher, but I have no need to go any higher than what I have already as it is so fast at 4.5GHz.It blows away my i5 750 for anything, using Xvid4PSP version 5.0 the 2500K can encode a mp3 file from WAV or WMA at a peak speed of over 1000FPS, whereas my i5 750 could barely manage 600FPS tops, and in testing using Intel Burn Test my i5 750 peaked at about 58GFlops, whereas my i5 2500K reaches over 115GFlops and sometimes even higher.I haven't had much chance to play games as I only have the HD3000 graphics atm but I can guarantee that if I put in my HD5750 it would be easily 20%+ faster than my old system despite using the same graphics card.When using Skype with my old processor the usage was at around 25 to 35%, with the 2500K my processor usage sits at less than 10% and most of the time it's at 5% or less, and yet there's no loss in quality from either end of the video call and in fact I'd say the quality is even better.It's the best processor when it comes to price to performance ratio and it can even keep up with the Sandy Bridge-E processors in some cases, and if that isn't testament to this processors amazing ability then nothing is.The cpu cooler it comes with though is really really bad, so if you're buying this processor, then please buy something better to cool it with, I used the stock cooler at first cause I needed some new thermal paste for my H50, and the processor at stock was hitting over 90 degrees celcius at which point I had to end the stress test, cause it was just 8 degrees away from TJMax, once I got the H50 on it at stock speeds the processor sits at just 45 degrees at full load, and at 4.5GHz it reaches about 76 degrees, which is way better.If you're not bothered about Ivy Bridge then Sandy Bridge is the mutts nuts, but with Ivy Bridge out it's better to go with that.I would highly recommend this processor or it's newer brother the i5 3570K, which although it doesn't overclock as high, once overclocked to 4.3GHz Ivy Bridge will run rings around Sandy Bridge at 4.5GHz, and use less power as well.The bottom line is that the Core i5 Sandy Bridge processors are extremely fast, amazing overclockers, unbelievably efficient and for the price are some of the very best processors Intel has ever released, I highly recommend it.

At last! After all the machines and in all the years I find a processor that does justice to the software that runs on my machine!How many times have I picked a processor with the latest this that and the other only to find it barely copes with either the OS or various software it is meant to run properly with?This processor (running Windows 7) works like a charm. Everything is instantaneous on opening and running. I am not a games user at all but typical applications which run immediately and without error are:-Windows 7 - Home PremiumIE9/Firefox/OperaMicrosoft Office 2007Photoshop CS5 ExtendedSkypeetc; etc;I use a Gigabyte Gigabyte XKT-1155 Z68AP-D3 Motherboard (Rev 2.0) and has 4Gb RAM onboard and which seems to run well with this CPU. Moreover, I use a Intel 80GB SSD which has a Samsung standard SATA HDD as a secondary drive and both run smoothly and instantly (certainly with the SSD anyway). I was also surprised to notice how small the die is itself. It seems the processor will one day end up the size of a postage stamp at this rate! However, for now, it appears 25% smaller than the early Pentiums and much thinner too In fact I had an initial job trying to find the processor in the box it came in, as the stock fan takes up almost 99% of the volume, with the CPU just tucked in a little side pocket, almost unnoticeable.I chose a 3rd party fan and didnt use the stock fan that comes with this processor, as I wanted a quiet operation in addition to speed and reliabilty. However, I use the stock fan as a case fan :o)I've used Intel in the distant past but have used AMD until this time, either because the laptop came with it or that I was building to budget or using someone elses machine. Needless to say, I am hoping that this Intel will last me many years return and with trouble free operation but above all smooth, fast and seemless running of OS, applications and any other function it is currently providing, such as acting as the video card for my HDMI connection, for example.Overall, this is one purchase I dont regret making and feels more an investment than some short term gain.Thanks,M.

Just done a new build and have upgraded from an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.8ghz which has served me well for the last 3yrs.This however is a whole new ballgame and boy am i pleased with it.Married it to a Gigabyte Z68 Rev2.o board an artic cooler7 pro and 8Gb corsair vengance 1600mhz DDr3 and an OCZ Agility 2 Series - Solid state drive - 120 GB - internal - 3.5" - SATA-300 - anodized and boy can this baby fly. I knew I needed some more power but man i never realised how slooow I was.Even my video rendering is cut in half as I like to download movies and put them on to dvd to watch on the big screen.I have noticed some reviews saying this cpu is not for video converting but I can tell you the time it takes me has now been halved and my old cpu was built for it.I have even been overclocking it albeit just a tad as its so easy but dont do what I did and use the easy bios upgrade as I knacked my system and had to go on to the gigabyte site using my laptop download the bios put it on a fat32 usb stick go into the bios and do it properly.You have been warned lol.I also upgraded my old Ge force 8800gts graphics card to a AMD radeon 6850 HD and got a WEI of 7.7 out the box.The slowest I have on the WEI is 7.6 thats for my CPU and SSD My memory was 7.7 out the box but after turning up the settings in bios to 1600 it is now 7.9 I am going to try over clocking the cpu a bit more to see what this puppy can do but the cooler I have is maybay not up to the task and after messing up the bios I am a little wary for the moment .I am playing BF3 at the mo and it is so smooth with settings on HD and maxed out.Over all I am well chuffed with my new set up .To sum up its worth every penny spent.Will need to start saving for my next build in 3 yrs.Wonder what they will have out by then lol.