Pls assist - i5 vs Phenom II 965

keyter

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I need to choose my next upgrade very carefully.

My current setup:
AMD 5400+ BE 2.8ghz (not overclocked - too unstable - got 3.15 max)
Coolermaster Hyper TX2 cooler
Biostar TF570 SLi
4 x 1G OCZ Reaper 1066
4870 1g Radeon

I like AMD and intend to upgrade this month, but I can't decide between i5 and P2 965 AM3 (Both with new mobo's will set me back just about the same).

I built my rig to do gaming, but it turns out I do even more video editing and transcoding. I need the best value and performance for money (and naturally I intend on overclocking the heck out of it).

With this upgrade I'l need to add around $160 after I sold some of my other stuff, but if I don't get around to doing that, what other AM3 CPU upgrade do you guys suggest, athlonx4 630 (2.8Ghz) or Phenom2 x3 720 BE ( 2.8Ghz ).

Socket longevity bothers me with the lga1156, and I know I'll need to get DDR3 RAM too.
 

xrodney

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If you want system that could last longer either go with AM3 (890FX) or 1366 (x58).

I think most problems with overclocking and stability is because of your chipset (nvidia doesnt ecactly like nonstandart clock and its getting quite hot)
 

keyter

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Thanks Guys

The x58 setups are out of my league (budget) at the moment, and as far as I can tell, the 890FX/GX have not yet been released, so I think even though the p55 setup might be a marginally better performer at the moment, I might go for the AM3 / 790GX/FX setup.
 

peanutpc

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Intel I5 750 will oc to 4.0Ghz (stable) on air.
AMD PII 945,955 & 965 will oc to 3.8-3.9Ghz on air.

Clock for clock Intel is superior... plus Intel is 95w as to AMD's 125w processors.

Go for the I5 750 with gigabyte p55 ud2 or ud3 mobo.
 

wsupduck

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But the AMD chips overclock and still stay in Warranty (As long as you stay under the correct voltage) and have an unlocked Multiplier making it a peace of cake, not to mention the cheaper platform and upgradability
 

cyberkuberiah

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i was considering an x4 955 with ud3p , really cheap platform for single gpu , all i use , because 1366 was too costly .

but when the i5 came out , i found out the gigabyte's ud2 same reliability , single gpu mobo with overclocking at good as any other mobo . and the i5's performance is just below i7 920 but of the same class due to nehalem at stock clocks , without any overclocking and much better power usage than 920 .

it was a no brainer when newegg gave an i5+ud2 combo . i havent bought a fan yet , the stock fan is ok for stock clocks which is all i need at this time .

but the phenom would have been a no brainer if needed to upgrade an existing amd system . here , i was replacing my ancient penitum 4 northwood .
 

JofaMang

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If you plan on staying with a single video card, even the inexpensive AMD 785G will hit 4ghz, much cheaper than a P55 platform for sure.
+1

If no intent to go multi-gpu, the 785 is a steal, and OC's well. The last gen 780g can OC a 955 to 4.0ghz, and there is no indication that the 785g has given up any of that capability.
 

cyberkuberiah

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@ zip and jofa : for single gpu's the i5 has gigabyte ud2 , supports overclocking like any high end board . it is not exactly "much" costlier than 785g.

the i5 has nehalem-class performance per clock . it may be overkill for gaming , but for OP's need of video transcoding and editing , it will beat all of amd's offerings , period . the i5 is comparable to 965 "BE" at stock clocks , and has a 50% overclocking headroom compared to around 25% for phenom .
 

JofaMang

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As per Newegg:
Cheapest i5 Mobo - $90
Cheapest i5 CPU - $200
$290
Cheapest 785g DDR3 mobo - $70
Cheapest 955BE - $166
$234

$56 difference is 25% premium, and is arguabley considerable. $70 will get you a good namebrand 785g. $90 gives you a P55 foxconn mobo of the OC endangered variety. Since strong OC is intended, the price difference is in reality, even higher.
 
Hey people!!!

How i see, you forget that the user of the thread said:


"I built my rig to do gaming, but it turns out I do even more video editing and transcoding. I need the best value and performance for money (and naturally I intend on overclocking the heck out of it)."

everybody knows that in price/performance and OC AMD is the winner.
 

JofaMang

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I noticed ;)
 


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I don't said for you, just for some people that love spend her money on Intel. You have an AMD processor like me, so, you know that expensive don't mean better.
 

JofaMang

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Don't get me wrong, had I larger budgets at build time, I would probably have an intel or two in my past. But having to abide by reasonable fund limits, AMD has always found a home in my rigs.

BTW, that winky face emoticon was to indicate I wasn't being serious. :p
 

cyberkuberiah

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if u're using single gpu , get 955 + gigabyte ud3p , 770 . it has all the good features , oc support , and is 69$ after rebate .

if u wanna cut down on the budget more , go for either phenom x3 , better in games , or athlon x4 620 , better in video work .
 

JofaMang

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It is fair to mention that the Athlon II series performs very well in games, and will not be a crippling part when compared to Phenom II performance in the same environment. I don't hesitate to recommend it to anyone building a gaming rig on a budget. But, for someone looking to OC with a BE chip, the athlon line has nothing to offer in that way, yet.
 

JofaMang

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I didn't say it wasn't good for overclocking, just pointing out the technical difficulties in OCing a non-be chip (locked multiplier) vs OCing through the multiplier.
 


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Ohh....my mistake....so, in this case, yes...the 550 with locked multiplier could be a problem.