Quad or i7

[Vos17]

Well i been trying to stick to a quad core build, due to the prices now are really nice.
Though, i keep hearing that LGA775, is nearing the end of it's life and i7 is now going to reign supreme.

A 1k budget system is really nice, which is what i had. But, for just 200-300 dollars more, i could build a i7 system,
My question is, is it worth it? Will my computer last longer, that is the biggest concern.

I also heard that i7s will drop in price after this month? (due to AMD releasing its answer to the i7)

Just need to know, quad is nice, but if i would just have to build a entirely new pc in 2 years, then why slave over building a new computer that is a quad core when i could save myself the trouble. Also.. anyone know if intels next processors would be the same socket type as the i7?

 

[aevm]

I don't think the i7 920 itself will drop much below the current $300 or so. Not soon anyway. I expect the x58 boards to remain expensive too. However, the DDR3 needed by these processors should become cheaper as time passes.

If you want a multi-GPU gaming box I think the i7 920/x58 is worth it because x58 handles multiple video cards very well.

If you're happy with a single video card, you'd get better value IMO from a Q9550 and a P45 board with DDR2. Or a Phenom II 940 with a 790GX board - slower but cheaper. Or a Q6600 + P45 board - even slower, even cheaper.

 

[Vos17]

Nice post, think 2 hd4870 1gbs would make a i7 build perform very well for upcoming years?

 

[alvine]

ok cheapest core i7= $300
chapeast x58 mobo= $250
cheapest ddr3 3gb = $70
= $620

q9550= $319
p45 mobo= $100
4gb ddr2= $60
= $479

i would go with q9550 and for the difference get better graphic card (4850x2)

 

[Vos17]

This is what i have so far. Remember, basis first, extras later
(i know the i7 greatly benefits from 2 video cards)

Corsair 750watt (129.99)
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R (209.99)
Intel Core i7 920 (294.99)
Vigor Monsoon III (59.99)
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) (144.99) <--3 sticks for Triple Channel
SAPPHIRE HD 4870 1GB (239.99)

Total: $1,080

Price is actually greatly achievable.
I Want to play video games on my computer like.

-Call of duty: World at war
-Fallout 3
-Dead Space
-StarCraft II
-Diablo III
-Elder scrolls V (2010 release)

Think this rig would greatly achieve my goal of lasting for awhile?

 

[aevm]

Oh yes. When it starts having difficulty add a second HD 4870 and that Monsoon cooler and overclock the CPU. Call of Duty in particular benefits a lot from Crossfire.

Diablo 3 and Starcraft and Fallout 3 will love the HD 4870 because it supports Havok physics.

Cheaper and slightly better PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=S75CF

 

[fahdh2]

Intel has done it this way for the past few years (can't remember where to find the timeline; too bad because it actually had the next 2 years as well)

-new processor type (i.e. Core i7)
next year = same processor type, but modified (like Core2 i7 or something)
next year = no idea
next year = no idea, but modified (no idea2)

 

[Vos17]

This is still eating at my brain, if i stick wit a quad core, its 400$ cheaper XD
I just don't kno, damn you intel! lol

 

[megamanx00]

Considering Intels previous behavior when they launch a new socket I wouldn't expect the X58 boards generally to support CPUs beyond what is available at its launch. Considering that I wouldn't say that you should count on being able to upgrade that CPU latter on, but of course if you overclock the current i7s you shouldn't need to for some time. If you look at it that way then thinking that socket 775 is at the end of its life shouldn't concern you too much .

Anyway going with the Q9550 and a good P45 board is a compelling value. Overclocking the Q9550 will give you plenty of performance and you'll probably wait as long to replace it as you would if you had gone with the i7 platform. It will save you some money and you can add another 4870 latter for increased performance.

If you want a better bang for your buck and your budget is tight then go with the Q9550 and a good P45 board option. If you can afford to spend more money without having to cut back elsewhere and living on Ramen for a few weeks then go ahead and go with the i7.