Pulling the trigger today...big choice

[Photius]

Buying today, I lean toward the i7 but it is a bit more expensive.

Thoughts on performance and upgradeability. I will be experimenting with overclocking. Mainly using the machine for gaming.

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
$230 at Fry's

MSI X58 Platinum LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $215
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130216

Crucial 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $74
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148244

$519 (Basically Tom's $1250 build this month with a different mobo.) With this set up would DDR3 1333 improve this set up?

or

Save some money and go with...

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $117
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

$417... So save $100 even more if the Mobo choice is bad and DDR3 1333 memory is the way to go. I'm sure the Quad core is a solid build, not as confident about the i7 build.

Thanks for your help!

Pho

 

[edenrow]

I would wait until Febuary. Big price drops and more options Phenome II and new mobos etc.

 

[aevm]

If you go with the second build, try to get a Q9550 ($70 more than the Q9300). It has more cache and a larger multiplier. You did mention overclocking, so it's important.

 

[Newf]

Buying today...

Why? You don't know what you want yet.

 

[aevm]

That's an EXCELLENT point