I wonder if the difference between an i7-3770 is worth the extra hundred bucks over an i5-3570...
You're basically getting .1 GHz faster processor, and 2MB larger L3 cache.
I wouldn't say that's worth an extra $100, but I don't require top performance everything out of my PC right now.
For what it's worth, the i5-3570k is what I just ordered.
And the virtual cores. IF you ahve a program that utilizes 4 cores teh i7 stronger because it's virtual cores.
I put that exact i5 in the case I just built, proably overkill for what I'll do with it, but I wanted a solid build, and the 1155 socket is too versatile for me to pass up.
this motherboard with a z68 chipset:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790
I decided to save the $ and just put an i5 in it, but I figured if I built a better desktop for games I had options to steal from that machine if I so desired, although I'd probably put the i7 in my desktop, guess I should have just got the i7 now, oh well /ponders.
cost me $700 for that rig, and that's when the motherboard and cpu were both ~$200 each, and while it's only sitting at 16GB of ram, it will serve it's purpose, and I can still get 16GB more.