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Go for penryn or wait for Nehalem?

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - Go for penryn or wait for Nehalem?

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tr0n   09-28-2008 at 06:10:22 AM

So I've finally managed to get the money together to build a new computer soon I'm just not sure if I should wait for Nehalem or not. I've been putting off a new build for quite some time. Currently I'm running

AMD 3000+, Radeon X800 pro, 2GB ram, cheap power supply.

I was looking to go for the following:

Core 2 E8400
2GB Ram
Radeon 4870

I'd primarily use the system for gaming, and some simulation/rendering

If i waited for nehalem id switch out the E8400 for the ~300 Nehalem part, and switch the memory for 2GB DDR3.

Just looking for opinons/suggestions :)

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Homeboy2   09-28-2008 at 06:38:40 AM
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go for the 8400 and 4gb ram, you cant put the 8400 in a Nehalem mb. its gonna be a year before the nehalem parts are affordable

Reply to Homeboy2
rockbyter   09-28-2008 at 07:00:08 AM
- 0 +

the longer you wait, the cheaper that option will be. Waiting for the next generation is usually the sweet spot for pricing, but buy when you feel the need.

------------------------------ If you don't know what OS/2 is, you don't understand.
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mikeny   09-30-2008 at 08:49:59 PM
- 0 +

Im also contimplating whether to get a E8600, Q9550, or the Nehalem processor thats ~$285. I am waiting till the first batch of Nehalems come out to see what the price drops to and hopefully some reviews come out for the Nehalem. I was going to go to DDR3 either 2GB or 4GB (depending if price drops also because Im amazed how low RAM sticks have gotten and still dropping), and my other sticky point: VIDEO CARD. Im torn between the NVIdia 280 (maybe SLI), ATI 4850 (xfire), 4870 or 4870x2. Im also watching to see if NVidia and ATI decide to release new products to complicate things even more :)

This is strictly a gaming machine and my first attempt at DX10 and Vista
Budget: Im basically building another system; even the speakers (not sure if I shold go with digital or stay with anolog). No extreme processors. Ive never o/c'd and if I attempt it will be with my old system (when Im done with the new system) or a mobo that o'c's for me would be nice :). Basically, trying to keep it under $2k


Message edited by mikeny on 09-30-2008 at 08:51:47 PM
Reply to mikeny
speedbird   10-01-2008 at 12:15:26 AM
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Usually what happens is the higher end CPU's are released first, then other CPU speeds are gradually released at different price points. I'm not exactly sure what Intel will do, but you might as well buy the best you can afford at present. It's not worth waiting to be honest because there's always going to be the next big thing around the corner. The PC you suggest will provide a good game experience, but I if you can afford then 4GB of Ram is worthwhile rather than 2GB.

Reply to speedbird
mikeny   10-03-2008 at 04:09:53 AM
- 0 +

Will the Nehalem mobo's support Penryn? I figure if so, I could get a Penryn now, and wait for Nehalem processors to go down in price.

Reply to mikeny
Dekasav   10-03-2008 at 07:50:46 AM
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Nope. Core 2 and Nehalem are completely non-compatable. No motherboard will support both. Also, I support get a penryn now. DDR2 is cheap, and for gaming, it doesn't look like Nehalem will really bring all the much more to the table.

Reply to Dekasav
habitat87   10-27-2008 at 11:45:55 AM
- 0 +

Dekasav, how can you make that assumption?

To the original poster. There's only limited reviews from what we've seen so far on how it will perform. I'd say, if you want to take a chance with the new i7 platform, go for it. It'll cost you quite a bit more for the parts, but according to the info so far, it will be a lot faster then core 2 duo, or quad.

I'd be more worried about spending a lot of money and finding out it's unstable and doesn't work too well on the new platform. You can always wait for the price drops on the core 2 duo and quad, I'm sure those will be quite appealing then if it does happen. I wouldn't put that much money into a system right now honestly, it's just a waste with a whole platform change happening. But by all means, if you don't mind, get it. Heh.

BTW, nice timing on building a comp. Lol.

As for me, I got a e5200 oc'ed. Mobo and cpu together costed way less then the price of that proc. I'm satisfied with it and will probably hold me over until I see that the new platform is reviewed as stable.


Message edited by habitat87 on 10-27-2008 at 11:48:23 AM
Reply to habitat87
gamerk316   10-27-2008 at 01:17:18 PM
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In any multi-threaded program, i7 will tear apart even a Quad (look at Intels Lost Planet demo). The problem, as people on this forum always point out: Most games aren't multthreaded yet, so a simmilarly clocked Quad often matches i7 in all the benchmarks I have seen on non-multithread games.

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