Would need help for new gaming build (revised)

[Schaezar]

I am about to change my ram/cpu/mobo/psu in a couple of month (probably april) and would like to have some advice about the possible future build.

My current system is this :

CPU: Intel E6750
MOBO: P5K-se
RAM: Kingston valueram ddr2 800mhz 2x1gb
GPU: XFX HD 4890
CPU cooler : Noctua nh-d14
PSU: Thermaltake purepower 500w
HDDs: 4x WD 250gb caviar blue 7200rpm

I plan on oc'ing the new cpu and I will mostly use the rig for gaming (GTAIV, Crysis and other latest titles) and watching movies. I am currently running games at 1440x900 but planning on changing for a new monitor (not sure about resolution yet) so maybe crossfire will become interesting with another 4890. I will be using the 4 HDDs in a raid 10 setup so I'll need at least 6 sata port.

I am on 1000$ budget but also could be a bit more. I thought about 3 builds I could upgrade to:

1st :
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Quad Core Processor AM3 3.2GHZ 8MB Cache 125W 45NM Retail Box
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=46281&vpn=HDZ965FBGMBOX&manufacture=AMD

MOBO:Gigabyte 790FXTA-UD5 AMD790FX ATX AM3 DDR3 3PCI-E 3-WAY CrossFireX 2GBLAN SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=47581&vpn=GA-790FXTA-UD5&manufacture=Gigabyte#Specifications

RAM:G.SKILL F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30384&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ&manufacture=G.Skill


2nd
CPU:Intel Core i5 750 Quad Core Processor Lynnfield LGA1156 2.66GHZ 8MB Cache Retail Box
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42499&vpn=BX80605I5750&manufacture=Intel

MOBO:ASUS P7P55D Pro LGA1156 P55 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 PCI SLI CrossFireX 6SATA GBLAN 1394 Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=43120&vpn=P7P55D%20PRO&manufacture=ASUS

RAM:G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30384&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ&manufacture=G.Skill


3rd
CPU:
Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.66GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 -SLBEJ
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38881&vpn=BX80601920%20-%20D0&manufacture=Intel

MOBO:ASUS Rampage II Gene mATX LGA1366 DDR3 X58 2PCI-E16 PCI-E4 PCI GBLAN CrossFire SLI Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37051&vpn=RAMPAGE%20II%20GENE&manufacture=ASUS

RAM:G.SKILL F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 Triple Channel Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34719&vpn=F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ&manufacture=G.SKILL&promoid=1210

I know that these aren't in the same price range AT ALL, AMD setup being only 570$ (before pricematching) and i7 920 D0 being 770$ (again before matching). But if AMD setup is far enough for my needs, then why spend 200$ ?

So here it is, first post on this forum, I'm waiting for your replies and if you think I should buy a different build than one of those three, feel free to suggest it.

TIA,

 

[gkay09]

^ By April, you will get newer CPUs, Mobos in the same price range...So any giving views on them right now wont be applicable then...
I would suggest you to keep your options open till you actually buy the components...Don't confuse yourself over them right now...

As for the options that you have give, the i7 920 will be advantageous when you will be doing Crossfire with powerful cards such as HD 5870 and above as they will take advantage of the full x16x16 bandwidth and the 920 will compliment those cards very well compared to the other CPUs...

If you just want a gaming rig, not likely to run such high powered cards in Crossfire, then the 965 or the i5 would better suit...

 

[Schaezar]

Hey there, I'm resurecting the thread.

I decided not to wait since my finances are better than I thought and I'll finally buy the whol thing in 1-2 weeks.

I thought about this build but feel free to change any part of it or suggest something else. (I buy at ncix since they do pricematching, the price I'll write is the pricematch):

CPU : http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=46281 (197$)
MOBO : http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37088 (180$)
RAM : http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30384 (111$)
LCD : http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39129&vpn=VW266H&manufacture=ASUS (294$)
PSU : http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26415&vpn=CMPSU-750TX&manufacture=Corsair (Open box 123$)

Budget is 1200$ with a slight variation possibility, doesn't matter if it's 1250$...

Also I'm thinking about a second 4890 to crossfire, I know I lose DX11 but then again, how long before it becomes something widespread in games ? Would have bought a 5870 before price hike and shortage but now since I already have one of them, 2x4890 seems to be a nice enough option with plenty of gpu power (although much more power demanding that a single 5870) . However I am still very newb to building computer so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

TIA,

Schaezar

 

[gkay09]

^ You can also check out hte the i5 750 ...It is faster than the 965 at stock speeds itself...but both are fine...
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42499&vpn=BX80605I5750&manufacture=Intel
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42477&vpn=P55%2DGD65&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1196

And as you already have a HD 4890, stick with it...And for DirectX 11 to become widespread in games, it will surely take another 3-5 months as Nvidia is yet to launch their new cards...

And certainly an aftermarket CPU cooler will be a good addition...
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42477&vpn=P55%2DGD65&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1196

 

[Schaezar]

Best answer selected by Schaezar.