Which CPU to get for GTX 680M?

Hi!
I'm buying a new laptop for gaming - a 15 inch Clevo p150em. I chose to go with the GTX 680M - so I am wondering which processor should I choose? I want to be able to play demanding games like BF3 at high resolutions,
but I also don't wont to have an overkill CPU that will just drive up the price and be of no use

which one would you recommend? They're offering

dual core i3-3120 and similar (around 2.5GHz) 3MB
dual core i5-3320 and similar (around 2.6-2.8) 3MB
dual core i7-3520 and similar (around 2.9) 4MB

quad core i7-3630 (2.4) 6MB
quad core i7-3740 (2.7) 6MB
quad core i7-3840 (2.8) 8MB
quad core extreme i7-3940 (3.0) 8MB

Thanks!

 

While an i5 will suffice in many cases, if you're going for the most demanding games and a 680m, it goes without saying that the i7 is the way to go - even if it's just the 3630qm.

 

I agree. Get at least a quad core 3630QM. Newer games like more cores over faster dual cores. BF3 is probably the most CPU hungry game out there, and by that it's more by number of threads than anything else. It can make use of 8 threads no problem, so more cores the better.

 

Right! So which one of the i7's should I go for? The price difference between i7-3630 and i7-3940 is around $1000! Will there be anything significant difference from changing 3630 to something faster?

 

3940 allows overclocking up to much, much higher speeds, but as with any overclock, it's for people that know what they're doing. A bit overkill at the moment though, unless you know you need that much performance. The top CPU i'd consider buying retail is 3840qm.

 

I7-3630QM, no need to upgrade past that, you don't need VT-d or anything that comes with the higher end quads, the 3630 will suit you just fine.

 

I would either got 3630QM or 3740QM if the laptop supports Intel XTU for overclock. Otherwise it's not worth the money IMHO. 3840QM is useless really, it's only 100MHz faster than the 3740QM, so if you want a slight bump go for 3740QM over 3630QM but your best significant advantage would be going with an XM CPU but it's too cost prohibitive. Go with 3630QM and in 2 years buy a 3940XM for probably less than $300.

 

That sounds a little optimistic as a 920xm still is $250.

 

Well 2920XM is about $300-$350.

 

3920XM:
Intel i7 3920XM 2 9GHz Turbo 3 8GHz QS Fastest Mobile CPU Free UPS DHL Service | eBay
600$.

I´d say defently skip the dual core processors. Get at least an i7 3630QM. Depending on your budget and prices of the upgrade it might be worth getting a 3740QM or a 3840QM.

 

I7 3630qm now. I73940xm in 3 years time.

For example the i7 920xm can get up to i73610 speeds still and it is over 3 years old.

In 3 years time therefore not only will the i73940xm be much cheaper but also is will keep your notebook current.