PC Build: i5 750 vs x6 1055T vs x4 965(black)

[nosferatu_alucard]

hi peeps, thinking of building a new pc but of course budget somewhat limited and i have in mind 3 types. would appreciate any and all kind of feedback or advice

build 1: i5 750 + asus p7p55d
build 2: pII x6 1055T + msi 790gx-g65 (am3)
build 3: pII x4 965(black) + msi 790gx-g65 (am3)

common components:
KINGSTON DDR3 1333(Kit) 2GB x2
sapphire vapor x 5770
Cooler Master - Silent Pro-M (600W)
1TB 7200rpm 64MB buffer sataII(adv format) WD
SAMSUNG B2230H 22" HDMI (res 1920x1080, 5ms)

here's the prices of cpu + mobo i can find at local stores. bear with me as prices are not in USD
i5 750 = 658
asus p7p55d = 560

1055T = 638
965(B)= 588
msi 790gx-g65 = 450

so prices for build 1: 1218, build 2: 1088 and build 3: 1038
to convert to USD is roughly a divide by 3 so build 2 is 43 USD cheaper and build 3 is 60 USD cheaper.

usage of pc would be gaming and general use. want to have a pc that can last me a few years at least and best bang for buck ^^

points that worry me are:
- the 1156 socket future as being a flash in the pan since intel is fickle and makes new sockets somewhat often
- the usefullness of a hexa core on the dated phenom II
- amd releasing phenom II x6 for just a temp fix while waiting for their new chip to release next year
- im probably not going to OC so will stock phenom x6 speeds be enough for less threaded processing
- if build 3 is best of the lot, should i replace the 965(b) with a 955(b) instead
- will probably add another vapor x 5770 for CF, which build will improve best
- hexa core amd is actually cheaper than 4 core intel

really hope you guys can help me figure this out. thanks a bunch

~confused fella

 

[enzo matrix]

-of course it is. Do you care about upgradability? If so, now is not the time. Intel is releasing Sandy Bridge on a new socket in 2011 and AMD is likely releasing Zambezi on a new socket in 2011.
-Why would it not be useful for the future? Current games mostly don't take advantage of more than 3 cores, but in the future they will
-It's an evolution on their phenom II platform not a "temporary fix". It's more power efficient than the previous phenom IIs and seems to overclock better. Of course, Zambezi will be likely very much better but unless you are willing to wait... Technology is always improving.
-Yes. But 2.8GHz Hex is worse than a 3.4GHz quad for most of today's applications. The 1055t overclocks really well, I would only suggest getting it if you plan to overclock. I've heard it overclocks just as well at the 1090t.
-Yes. Even if you are not into overclocking, increasing the multiplier by one does not take any effort.
-All will improve about the same. The CPU will not hinder performance in any of those.
-Yes it is. The AMD does less per cpu cycle and is at a lower cycle speed. 6 cores will not make up for that at 2.8GHz for single threaded applications. But it will still perform admirably by comparison.

Since core i5 750 ~= Phenom II 965 do build 3. drop it to a phenom II 955 but make sure it is C3 stepping.
I would get the 1055t because I overclock. Even at stock, it is sufficient. Maybe it will be better in the future with more multi-threading games.

 

[nosferatu_alucard]

wow, thanks for all the info enzo

 

[enzo matrix]

@enzo matrix, Where did you get the info that AM3r2 used by the Zambezi isn't compatible with AM3?

I didn't see any facts here:
"AMD is likely releasing Zambezi on a new socket in 2011" is what I said. This is my opinion and I did not state "AMD is not release Zambezi on a new socket in 2011". This is based on the fact that zambezi is listed on the roadmap as DDR3, not DDR3/DDR2 like the phenom II was. As well as AMD claims it is a CPU designed "from the ground up". It's not even based on much, it's just my guess. Sorry about the confusion.
I guess my main point is that no one at this point can make a guarantee that any motherboard bought today will support Zambezi.

 

[cib24]

I would purchase the 1055t and overclock it to at least 3.6 ghz. It may seem a bit slower than the 965 in some games right now but over time it will be much more future proof and allow you to use newer applications in the future and that speed difference will likely be negated soon.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Imo, Id go for the 955BE, and looking at the msi 790gx-g65 reviews its a nice plate to sit that on, I'd maybe look at 1600 Ram instead of 1333 though, but for general gaming and stuff should be more than fine. and if you do ever fell the desire to start clocking it, theres plenty to play with

 

[nosferatu_alucard]

so far 2 votes for 955BE and 1 vote for 1055T

i guess i5 750 ain't appeasing you guys

btw can someone tell me how to identify if the 965be has c3 stepping instead of c2?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

*Robbed from a quick google of 965 Be c3,
*So then, what exactly is new in the C3 revision? The clock speed remains the same, as does the price and indeed most of the changes are related to the efficiency of the processor. First of all there's the 15 W drop in TDP, coming from 140 Watts down to 125 W. Then there's the C1E which allows the chip to throttle down and change between power states. There's also some improvements in the memory controller, and AMD claims the new revision to work well with four 1333 MHz DDR3 memory sticks.*
I Cant get a decent picture up of the stock 965 to make a comparison, but i guess somewhere on chip it'd say C3.

As for the i5, Im not an intel fan in general, but thats not to say there not a good option, I just prefer Amd myself.

 

[nosferatu_alucard]

I Cant get a decent picture up of the stock 965 to make a comparison, but i guess somewhere on chip it'd say C3.

haha ok .... cos i don't really trust my local dealer so would like to confirm i'm getting a c3 ver of 955BE

but it's true as all you guys stated, amd 955BE/ 1055T does look the better option than i5

Motopsychojdn congrats on unlocking a freebie core[strike], not tempted to buy a phenom II x4 and try to unlock to a x6?[/strike] :lol:
just read 960T retail launch cancelled http://www.neoseeker.com/news/13858-amd-phenom-x4-960t-retail-launch-cancelled/

 

[enzo matrix]

so far 2 votes for 955BE and 1 vote for 1055T

i guess i5 750 ain't appeasing you guys

btw can someone tell me how to identify if the 965be has c3 stepping instead of c2?

The 965 C3 is easy to identify because the TDP is mentioned when you purchase the product. C2 had 140W and C3 had 125W. Unfortunately, the C3 and C2 versions of the 955 are the same in wattage at 125W. You would have to do by the box part numbers:
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20II%20X4%20955%20Black%20Edition%20-%20HDZ955FBK4DGM%20(HDZ955FBGMBOX).html

 

[uncfan_2563]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2871/2


First implementation of Bulldozer (Zambezi) will be on socket AM3

 

[beardcombover]

Keep in Mind guys, that the i5 750 was the exclusive 1st generation i5 which was simply a quad core i7 minus the hyperthreading. It's an absolute diamond in the rough and doesn't equat to the other i5's. They should make it an i6. Turboboost is nice.

 

[beardcombover]

It is also their only way to get rid of i7s that don't pass the binning process and offer competition at the $200 level.

to the same philosophy,

Keep in Mind guys, that the Athlon II X4 was the exclusive 1st generation Athlon II which was simply a quad core Phenom minus the L3 cache. It's an absolute diamond in the rough and doesn't equat to the other Athlon s. They should make it an Athlon FX . More money in my pocket is nice

Keep in Mind guys, that the Phenom II X4 900Ts was the exclusive 1st generation Thuban which was simply a hex core Phenom II X6 minus the 2 cores. It's an absolute diamond in the rough and doesn't squat to the other Phenom II X4's. They should make it an Phenom FX. Turbocore is nice

^ +1
Well done, however, the i5's share the socket with the 8xx's not the 9xx's that were out when the i5 was introduced. So they aren't simply soylent 7's. lol

 

[beardcombover]

<------Wrong. ^ Right. (says google)

 

[nosferatu_alucard]

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/cpu/amd/FAD2009/desktoproadmap.jpg

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2871/2


First implementation of Bulldozer (Zambezi) will be on socket AM3

WOOT WOOT is this for real???????????

if that's the case then i should really go for amd 1055T or 955BE since both can be used on an AM3 board and ZAMBEZIIIIIIII will be viable as a future update

and since there's an option to upgrade to Zambezi... i should really just go for the 955BE now huh?

all masters/sifus/senseis/gurus/experts please help me solidify the decision by posting your view

ps: uncfan_2563 u made me uber happy
pps: enzo matrix & Timop ty for the identification tips of c3 stepping

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Upgrading to the Dozer would be nice, just E-mail your games developers and make sure they make use of all Eight cores , in short
Go Shopping,NOW!
Buy 955 BE, dont forget your tmi
Come home, install and have fun

 

[nosferatu_alucard]

@Moto.... im super noobie... what does tmi stand for

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Sorry, maybe the blatantly obvious eludes you, *Edit: upgrading to the 8core dozer would be nice, etc etc,

 

[nosferatu_alucard]

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/cpu/amd/FAD2009/desktoproadmap.jpg

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2871/2


First implementation of Bulldozer (Zambezi) will be on socket AM3

sad news... unfortunately after some google-ing found 3 other sources saying Zambezi will be on AM3 revision 2 board. So probably not compatible with AM3.

http://www.semiaccurate.com/2009/10/08/zambezi-and-lynx-platforms-amd-arrive-in-2011/

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=236187

http://www.behardware.com/news/10469/amd-zambezi-and-llano-for-2011.html

 

[Motopsychojdn]

sry been busy last few days alucard, I meant Thermal interface material, thermal paste as its usually known
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_interface_material
hope this helps

 

[src1425]

sad news... unfortunately after some google-ing found 3 other sources saying Zambezi will be on AM3 revision 2 board. So probably not compatible with AM3.

It seems the jury is still out on Bulldozer and AM3. FWIW, the roadmap referencing AM3 for Bulldozer was released in November 2009, making it the most recent info from AMD. I wish they'd come out with a definitive statement one way or the other as it's keeping me on the fence. Would love to get an AM3 now with a 965BE, but only if I can upgrade to Bulldozer a bit later on. I need to stretch my upgrade dollars as far as they'll go!

 

[uncfan_2563]

It seems the jury is still out on Bulldozer and AM3. FWIW, the roadmap referencing AM3 for Bulldozer was released in November 2009, making it the most recent info from AMD. I wish they'd come out with a definitive statement one way or the other as it's keeping me on the fence. Would love to get an AM3 now with a 965BE, but only if I can upgrade to Bulldozer a bit later on. I need to stretch my upgrade dollars as far as they'll go!

in addition, it being a revision means it'll probably be backwards compatible

 

[masterofevil22]

Just bought a 1055t and it's running at 4Ghz NO PROBLEM
I love it!!

AMD Phenom II 1055t @ 4Ghz 1.445v
CoolerMaster 212 Plus in push pull (30c idle, ~53prime95)
Asus M4A890GTD Pro/Usb3/Sata II
4Gb G.Skill DDR3 2000Mhz F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD
60Gb OCZ Vertex SSD Sata II 6Gb\s
WD Caviar Black 1.5Tb
WD Caviar Black 640Gb
XFX Radeon 5770 1Gb DDR5
Corsair TX650w PSU
Nxzt Lexa S Case 2*140mm 3*120mm

 

[Raidur]

+1 Phenom II. A 5770 isn't enough to tell the difference between Phenom II (possibly even Athlon II) and even i7 980X in most games.

Go for the cheapest 4 core rig.

 

[Moghul]

Just bought a 1055t and it's running at 4Ghz NO PROBLEM
I love it!!

AMD Phenom II 1055t @ 4Ghz 1.445v
CoolerMaster 212 Plus in push pull (30c idle, ~53prime95)
Asus M4A890GTD Pro/Usb3/Sata II
4Gb G.Skill DDR3 2000Mhz F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD
60Gb OCZ Vertex SSD Sata II 6Gb\s
WD Caviar Black 1.5Tb
WD Caviar Black 640Gb
XFX Radeon 5770 1Gb DDR5
Corsair TX650w PSU
Nxzt Lexa S Case 2*140mm 3*120mm

have u tested it with gaming???...how's the perfomance???......