Gaming setup on budget. which is better

[Guest]

cheapest i've found...

amd x4 955 = 159.99
asus m4a79xtd = 117.99 (-10 rebate)
OCZ 4gb ddr3 1600 = 78.99 x 2 (-20 rebate)
HD 5850 = 299.99
total = 736 (30 - 50 rebate)

or

i7 920 = 207 <-- microcenter
asus p6t SE = 204.99 (-20 rebate)
a-data 6gb ddr3 1333 = 114.99
HD 5770 = 174.99
total = 702 (20 rebate)

i know i7 is better than amd 955. but the price difference i use it for better GPU and more the ram.
i like the amd setup better in terms of price/performance.

is the amd 955 better in terms of gaming and normal internet with this setup?

note: will not crossfire. mostlikely will not overclock cpu..

 

[dirtmountain]

Strictly gaming without going SLI or crossfire and without overclocking the AMD solution would outperform the Intel i7. You might look at the i7 860/ P55 motherboard to compare Intel and AMD instead of the i7 920 /X58.

 

[Guest]

thats something to consider. but microcenter sells i7 860 for $230. its $30 cheaper than i7 920.
but if i go that route the mobo would be cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131605

but i figured going am3 is the smartest route because intel tends to change sockets alot. and that amd x6 is comming out in the near future and still keep am3 socket.

 

[dirtmountain]

True that ^ , but the 860 would outperform the 920 if neither is overclocked by a good margin.

 

[Guest]

True that ^ , but the 860 would outperform the 920 if neither is overclocked by a good margin.

i7 860 + asus p7p55 = $348

amd 955 + asus evo = $278 (-10 rebate)

thats $70 difference plus 10 rebate... is it worth $70-80

 

[overshocks]

why not i5 750 build. since it's a gaming build ..

 

[Guest]

why not i5 750 build. since it's a gaming build ..

i considered i5 setup as well. but amd 955+mobo is still cheaper than i5 setup.

im not just looking at performace. im also considering value + future upgrades, etc..


is i5 alot better than amd 955?

 

[alikum]

jjoven, i5 is not a lot better. It is only slightly better in benchmarking and some applications like WinRAR or video encoding.

However, like many people said, it seems like i5 is another dead end whereas AM3, it is confirmed that you can drop a Thuban (6-core) chip in without a problem. As far as rumours go, Intel's Gulftown is 1336 exclusive. Someone will bound to budge in and start talking about Sandy-bridge and Ivy-bridge, to be released (rumoured) in 2011. Both are entirely new architectures which will most likely require a change of platform (again!). So the choice is yours.