I5 or Phenom 965

[randomowner]

Hi,

I can't decide between getting an i5 with Asus P7P55D LE or Phenom 965 with Asus M4A79XTD EVO

can anyone please advise me as to which is the better choice?

btw i will be overclocking etc

 

[MadAdmiral]

What are you doing? I'm assuming gaming.

What's your budget? It really depends on this. If you're a gamer, and the budget is under $1,200, the 955 is a better choice because it allows you to spend more on the GPU.

 

[randomowner]

yup im gaming

im in the UK, the 955 and 965 cost pretty much the same. also its costing me pretty much the same going with either intel or amd processor if i go with the mobo's i've mentioned above

also ive already bought the gpu and ram (xfx 5850 and g.skill 1600mhz ram)

my main concern is whether or not the Asus P7P55D LE is any good

 

[MadAdmiral]

It won't support Crossfire. I would personally spend a little more and get the Asus P7P55D-E Pro. It has USB 3/SATA III support and will be good in Crossfire.

 

[randomowner]

hmmm, at the moment i'm already going right to the edge of my budget so unless i find some super special deal unfortunately i dont think i'll be able to go for that.

also ima be getting a 600w psu which i dont think will be enough for crossfire with two 5850's. Am i right?

so the mobo ive chosen with the 965, would that be good enough for crossfire, if i go AMD route?

 

[MadAdmiral]

650W would be cutting it close. I would get a 750W to be safe.

Yes.

 

[dfusco]

It's like asking is you prefer Ford or GM It's a matter of preference as they are both fine processors.

 

[ares1214]

true, both are fine, but i say amd 965. the 965 is more future proof, and does very well on gaming:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-x4-965,2389-5.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-x4-965,2389-8.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-x4-965,2389-9.html

as shown in the first, compared to the i7 920 it isnt that bad, even wins quite a few, and the 920 is better than the 750. in gaming the 3 would be so close, overall i would go with the 965.

 

[randomowner]

will "bulldozer" be coming out as a AM3 processor?

 

[randomowner]

hmm your right, it doesnt do to bad up against the i7 920 but thats with a i7 at stock settings, i would presume the i7 would be much better if it was overclocked?

 

[MadAdmiral]

As would the 965, so it's a moot point.

 

[ares1214]

right, and i have no evidence of this, but the 965 feels like a way better oc'er anyway, and the benchmark has the stock 965 too.