Intel VS AMD system

ok, here's my dilema, i know that the intel x58 and nehalem systems are out soon, but i need my new system soon. and i know that the new intel wont work with current CPU's and that the new CPU's wont work on current Mobos.

So I want people's oppinions on these set ups.
starting with the parts that will stay the same in either system

NZXT Tempest
Corsair TX 750W PSU
2x2Gb OCZ PC6400 Reaper CL4 RAM
Powercolor HD4870 PCS 512Mb
500Gb 32Mb cache Seagate HDD
Vista home premium 64-bit

Now, the Intel system will use Asus P5E mobo (if i can find one) and a Q6600 (maybe over clocked)

The AMD will be an MSI K9A2 Premium, and a Phenom 9950 BE

The intel is better in most benchmarks, but the the AM3 Cpu's will most likely work on the AMD system. ALSO the MSI mobo can take 4 graphics cards at PCI 8x,8x,8x,8x, givin an AWESOME upgrade path and graphics performance, just imagine 4 HD4870's or even 4870 X2's which will be cheap by the time i upgrade.

but is the phenom so far behind the intel that it wud be better to get the intel and overclock it then scrap it all and a build a new system in a few years.

Thanx

but that'll still be £150 for the CPU, the x58 will be at LEAST £140 most likely, and then they will be workin with DDR3 which is like £100 for 2Gb. You really think that it'll be better to wait another month for the Nehalem?

A stock 2.6ghz 9950be is a bit slower than stock 2.4ghz q6600. With both overclocked, q6600 is far faster. So it depends on if you plan to oc or not.

As for quad 8x upgrade path, it's a bad idea. You're better off with dual pcie2.0x16. 8x bottlenecks cf.
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/ [...] index.html

also, the AMD 4 by 8x slots is much better than the nvidia or X38/48 set up which will only do 2 and 16x and a 3rd at 4x.

I only see a couple of options. If you think the AM3 chips will work (which should, if their smart) with the AM2+ mobo's than I'd seriously consider the AMD build. If you don't think the AM3 chips won't work in an AM2+ mobo than I'd consider the Intel build.
One other thing to consider is the DDR2 that is required to run either system. IIRC the Phenom will run best with 1066mHz speeds. The Intel can run fine on 667mHz (if not OC'ing too much). This can make a price difference between the 2 builds. 99% of OC'd Intel builds are usually built on CAS4 DDR2 800mHz memory. The price/performance on the 800mHz DDR2 is hard to beat. I know the Phenom's can run on 800mHz DDR2, but I'm trying to find the article on the 1066mHz stuff.

Q6600 is $185 now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018

Ddr3 have been out for quite a while now, it's just overpriced.

Oh and another thought. The 9950+ BE DOESN'T come with a CPU HSF, so you'll have to add that to the list. This makes it about $25 more , depending on your CPU HSF that you use. I'd probably lean more towards the q6600 OC'd to 2.8-3gHz on the stock HSF!!! You'll get more performance and will be about the same cost, if not cheaper than the AMD build. The ONLY plus that the AMD rig that you've stated, is the possibility of installing a AM3 chip later. So that might be a crap shoot and might not be worth the chance. I don't know if that is a major gamble that you want to take or not.

P.S. I still haven't found a good review on the 1066mHz DDR2 over the DDR2 800mHz for Phenoms, so I'm saying that memory that you have would work out just fine!

at www.overclockers.co.uk they state that the 9950 BE comes with HSF, and the new 45nm AMD's are set to be quite good. but i'd imagine the new i7's will beat them again.

The q6600 can be OC'd w/out an aftermarket cooler pretty well, which is why I stated it that way. Even if the 9950 BE comes with a stock HSF, you won't be able to get the same performance out of it as the q6600. This is already known, but if your hoping to put an AM3 CPU in later the AMD makes more sense (assuming it'll work that way).