Am3 or i5 upgrade path?

[damien12g]

hey guys
which is the better platform for future upgradability? 2-3 years from now.
thanks!

 

[BadTrip]

probably neither will have upgrades in 3 years.

 

[bige420]

I would say AM3 would last longer since its probably going to be backwards compatible with AM3+ cpus (upcoming Bulldozer 2011-2012) which will be 4-8 cores. Socket 1156 on the other hand, I dont think they're going to release anything above 4 cores on it.

 

[rolli59]

I would say AM3 would last longer since its probably going to be backwards compatible with AM3+ cpus (upcoming Bulldozer 2011-2012) which will be 4-8 cores. Socket 1156 on the other hand, I dont think they're going to release anything above 4 cores on it.

Problem with that we are continuing to see new chipsets with better features coming out all the time even though the socket stays the same (775 as an example). So when upgrading 2 to 3 years from now we will upgrade both CPU and Motherboard to get all the new features.

 

[damien12g]

i guess a new mobo and cpu isnt so bad...i figure if i get a new comp in the next 6 months...the memory/psu/case should last a while.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Problem with that we are continuing to see new chipsets with better features coming out all the time even though the socket stays the same (775 as an example). So when upgrading 2 to 3 years from now we will upgrade both CPU and Motherboard to get all the new features.

This is what i always say. people can tout a upgrade path or backwards compatability all they want but if you have a AM2 mobo with SATA I and a Phenom II, the HDDs will hold the performance back.

Or if you have PCIe 1 when PCIe 3 comes out the GPU will be bottlenecked a lot more if it can utilize PCIe 2/3 better.

i guess a new mobo and cpu isnt so bad...i figure if i get a new comp in the next 6 months...the memory/psu/case should last a while.

My suggestion is to go with whatever fits your budget and keep it around 3 years doing minor upgrade to the GPU/CPU. Thats what I do. Built my system with a Q6600 in 2007 and a HD2900 Pro and now have the same CPU and a HD4870. Plan a new CPU soon but its not imperative. Should last me till 2011 easily since games and apps barely take advantage of what I have right now.

 

[damien12g]

i have a Pentium D from 2005, i've maxed out the ram and just added an HD 4770. I figure i can wait 6 more months...i only play L4D and MW.

 

[BohleyK]

AM3 has a future while 1156...

I give AM3 until late 2012 but you will probably lose out on some of the features of new motherboards like others have stated.