Which CPU to choose??

I'm having a problem in choosing a decent CPU for my new build. I have narrowed the options down to the Phenom II X3 720/X4 940 or INTEL Q9550

I want this system to last me another 5 years, although this future proof thing for the Phenom wont do much for me since I almost never upgrade my computers; just repair broken parts.

Anyways, i wanted to avoid duo cores since i have heard they are generally for hardcore gamers, and i do 50% gaming and 50% work (Homework). I also like doing multitasking since i don't like closing applications (ex. i would play a game while running office apps, media players, chrome with multiple tabs, and security apps)

Problem is, i have heard Phenom II series are geared towards pure gamers (im 50/50), and Intel cpus are good at both. I'm a high school student so as of now i use only Office Apps and Video Editing Programs for projects; eventually, i will be using for intensive apps as i move to higher grades and Uni. Another thing i have heard is that Intel Cpus are, in general better than AMD cpus; thats why most businesses and schools use INTEL cpus.

As for the Overclocking thing, i like overclocking, but i figure there wont be much of a point since tri and quad cores don't OC very well (compared to DUOS)

So considering everything, which one should i get?

X3 720 = $168 (will be paired with DDR3)
X4 940 = $234 (will be paired with DDR3)
Q9550 = $254 (will be paired with DDR2)

btw, the Q9550 is actually a dual die quad while the x4 is a "true" quad right? Is there any performance difference between this?

none!
X4-955 for 199.00 with free shipping!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674

seems like a no brainer to me...

It seems to me that you're already an Intel fanboy eh? Go with the Intel quad and be happy with it. No need to bother with AMD CPUs which according to you, is lesser than those of Intel.

I would go with the phenom ll 955 instead, its known for good gaming but offers all the multi tasking processor power you would ever need,and it comes on the am3 socket which is still new,the core 2 quad you mentioned is very good but the phenom ll offers equal if not better performance for less money. It also depends on your level of multi tasking, the average user will be fine with a phenom ll tri core because it offers good performance in both areas albeit not to the extent of a quad core but even then it would be enough for most users.

yes you are the idiot; i was open to all advice and suggestions; you could have just told me "Not all intel cpus are good" or "clock speed isn't everthing" and such, but no, you just had to be a jerk and call someone that is new here a fanboy for putting down what they have learned. If you don't want to help, you can just skip this and look at something else. Thank you to roosevelton and CoolWolf for actually giving their help and opinions. Even nutz and ewood posted something more meaningful than you.

"Not all intel cpus are good"
"clock speed isn't everthing"

You should've known this since "you are not an idiot" plus "you have read articles"! What have you read? newspapers? magazines? Crap, use your head dude. Look at the CPU charts and see if Intel dominates the whole thing.

Or you should've skip the whole story thing and ask which one to get without the so-called ideas that you've got.

"fanboy" is a taboo word for you. "idiot" is your favorite word.

masterjaw take a chill,

well back to topic i would go with p2 940/955
they are good overclockers to get most out of money too (:

i dont see a point of going to q9550 since lga 775 is dead. i read your post and you said you wont be upgrading but why not make your life easier and have options to upgrade amd2+/am3 and save some money in the future (:

thats just my two cents, hope that helps

I've always used AMD, but I did have a pentium 4. The P4 wasn't the greatest but it got the job done for the time. I switched to the Athlon and never looked back. Now I'm using a phenom II x4 945 and man is it ever fast!!! I use stock speeds for longer life span of the processor.

Up to you really I love ati and amd stuff because it's cheaper and gets the job done. Sure it doesn't have physics or whatever that is but no matter I'd love to spend the $60 less for a better card without it.

Although I do still have a working 2.8ghz p4 hyperthreading pc that is still alive to this day for over 24/7 use for the last 5 years.....

Just $199.99 with free shipping? They must be trying to clear them out before the 965 BE is released. Darn, don't got money to spend on it just yet. Gotta make sure I pay the bills first but I sure want one.

Since no one has mentioned this, I figure I will. A Phenom II X4 940 cannot use DDR3 memory as he stated he plans to pair it with. The 940 is an AM2+ only processor and doesn't fit in the AM3 socket.

Who cares, it's an AMD platform, just blame it on them for people not being well informed on their platforms. Don't get me wrong, I think they offer a good selection as far as cheap quads, but with Intel offerings... No...

Edit:

@masterjaw

Well, I guess that just about sums that up.

In fact, just get a e5XX series with a ~$50 mobo with voltage adjustment and be done with it.

The charts are at stock speeds, I highly doubt you are going to stress even that cpu. Unless you want 4.3 ghz+ speeds, that's going to be enough. ~$130 cpu/mobo combo also. Can't beat it, you really can't...

Yep, I have an older stepping of the e5200 myself. I have to say, paired with a ~$50 dollar mobo with voltage adjustment you tend to ask yourself "Why would Intel release such a thing." Although it takes a lot of researching and basic computer knowledge to know right away and come to the conclusion that it really doesn't get much better then e5200. If you want the max speeds from the e8600, it does make a difference but for the price, it's not justified at any level. It's something you put on the side when you have the time and money to put into an investment on it really. Quads are joke any way you look at it. Professional app users should be on a dual processor system. My overclocked e5200 at 4 ghz stable wouldn't stand a chance against even a 2.8 ghz prescott xeon system with no overclocking abilities as far as productivity multitasking is concerned, let alone the newer type of xeons systems.

I'll admit, I'm a performance enthusiast junkie. To be honest, an e5200 at stock or overclocked speeds is the perfect sweet spot for pretty much almost anything as of now and the last past year. As far as gamers are concerned, I'd get a e5200 overclocked with a nice hsf with dual graphics setup. Why burn cash on a quad when it really doesn't benefit you all that much? It's really idiotic if you think about and I've been trolled for saying things like this. But those people can't really justify their hard earned cash spent on something other than just for bragging rights. Which is okay if that's your thing, Just don't bring it to the hardcore enthusiast realm if you know what I mean. *wink. LOL!

It's almost like bringing a Ferrari to a drag race and expecting to win against a 800 hp supra that gets 20 miles to the gallon on gas while there's is only getting 12 and they paid a lot more. All they can say is, "Well, my car is better because it's stock" It's just not going to cut it. Plain and simple. That supra could win three races while the ferrari could only finish one and half way filling up for gas. LOL! Exaggerated, yes I know, but it's really not all that far off is it?

The next best thing? I3/I5 duals cores. Those little bastards are going to run circles around just about anything when overclocked. It was enough to for me to decide that skipping the e8600 bragging rights of 4.5+ ghz performance was worth it. And I really HATE platform changes, I really do...