Phenom II X720 vs Core i5 vs Core i7

I have a £900 ($1300) budget. If there is anything else you recommend, please do.

If you're willing to wait for i5, then wait. For 1300 though you can make a pretty nice i7 setup, and i5 is never going to beat i7...so....

Thanks very much for quick reply
So in games, i7 920 will still beat i5?

Of course.
i7 is the high-end enthusiast processor.
i5 is going to be its mainstream equivalent...so it will obviously be powered down.

If I get Core i5 though, I can get a more powerful graphics card.

Or if you want a Xeon server processor you can listen to Psycho.

Server procs are notoriously awesome for reliability and low power/heat. They make great overclockers, take my Opeteron 165 for example. It's been overclocked from 1.8Ghz to 2.7Ghz for around 3 years now. I'm getting ready for a new build and idk whether to go AMD or Intel so I am doing the research to see which is the best bang for buck. I am partial to AMD though, so if it's a draw they DESERVE the money more. Read about how Intel bribes manufacturers to push back AMD release dates and other blatant acts to try and preserve their lead over AMD. Intel makes great stuff, but they are a little on the evil side.