Intel(R) Core(Tm) I7-4770S Cpu @ 3.10Ghz 3.10 Ghz

[barry1010]

Is this old processor still worth having?

[CrapAtCryptics]

If you have something compatible to plug it into but it is 7 years old.

[JimF]

If you're used to building PCs yourself, it could be useful for a low-end machine.

[barry1010]

Thanks both

[Buenchico]

Whether a processor is 'worth having' depends upon what you want to do with with it. A 4th generation i7 processor, with 4 cores and 8 threads, such as the one you mention can easily cope with the demands of 'business' desktops and laptops but there are better options available if the want the very best from a gaming machine.

Indeed if, say, you were looking for a secondhand laptop, I'd suggest that the processor in question might actually be over-specified for many people's needs, adding unnecessary cost to the machine. For 'everyday' computing, an i3 or i5 processor will do everything that an i7 model can, without any noticeable loss of speed.

[barry1010]

Thanks, Buenchico - that's good to know. It's a reconditioned desktop for a relative, seems a bargain so I'll buy it now I am confident it will meet all his needs, he's not a gamer :)

[Buenchico]

Thanks, Barry. As I've indicated, that processor should be fine for an 'everyday' desktop as long as it's got 64-bit architecture, which all reasonably recent machines (from the past decade or so) are likely to have anyway. (The processor supports 64-bit Windows 10 drivers but not 32-bit ones).

For comparison, I'm typing this on a laptop with a 2-core, 4-thread, 5th generation, 2.70Mhz i5 processor, which whizzes along at incredible speed. The processor you've referred to should be even faster (although the difference is unlikely to be unnoticeable anyway with routine tasks, such as word processing, web browsing, etc).

However what I think you should really be looking for, is a solid state drive, rather than a conventional hard drive. It will make far, far more difference than minor variations between processors can. Further, I'd advise that 4GB is the absolute minimum amount of RAM that you should be looking for, with 8GB being somewhat better.

With all of that in mind, if I was in your position, I'd be looking at something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-OptiPlex-Desktop-PC-Quad-Core-i5-8GB-RAM-240GB-SSD-Windows-10-Pro-Computer/313245447489
(I'm happy to recommend that seller. It's where I bought this laptop from!)

[barry1010]

Thanks again - this has got a SSD plus a 1TB hard drive and 16GB of RAM. It's from a local PC shop and the price is right, he's going to deliver it later today. It probably is over powered for his needs but hopefully it will last a few years.

[Buenchico]

As long as the operating system is on the SSD, and not on the hard drive, that sounds absolutely fine to me.