Choosing the CPU

[serous-2010]

A cannot decide between two CPUs - AMD Phenom II x4 or Intel Core i7. I'm not getting into specific models here - just want to know your opinion. Of course, Intel is much faster, but it also costs more. I am planning a high-end computer for gaming, Photoshop, 3ds Max, video editing... Selecting by price/quality, which one should I choose? I know that it depends mainly on budget, but still wanna hear what you think...

 

[tecmo34]

Price aside... Intel Core i7 (i7 930) is your best option for your needs, unless you're rich and want the Core i7 980X when released.

Price considered... Intel Core i5 750 or AMD Phenom II X4 955

 

[Niklas_13]

Well for a high end gaming rig, with 2 or 3 GPUs in xfire or sli + If you want fast Photoshop, 3ds Max
, video editing...

I7 920 or i7 930 with a X58 mobo and 6 to 12 giogs of ram

Maybe add in a SSD


But like you said, it all depends or your budget, monitor rez

 

[serous-2010]

Price aside... Intel Core i7 (i7 930) is your best option for your needs, unless your are rich and want the Core i7 980X when released.

Price considered... Intel Core i5 750 or AMD Phenom II X4 955

I'd love to buy i7 980X, but I'm planning to buy the entire PC for this price...

 

[serous-2010]

Well for a high end gaming rig, with 2 or 3 GPUs in xfire or sli + If you want fast Photoshop, 3ds Max
, video editing...

I7 920 or i7 930 with a X58 mobo and 6 to 12 giogs of ram

Maybe add in a SSD


But like you said, it all depends or your budget, monitor rez

No, I am planning only one GPU - Ati 5870, and 4 to 8 gb of ram...

 

[Niklas_13]

Well If you don't care about xfire or sli then IMO if you want 4 to 8 gigs of ram, and seeing your wants and needs, I would say



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Something like this should fit your needs with a rez of 1920x1200 ( the i7 860 give you HT that would be good for photoshop work ) the i5 750 don't have HT, but if you just play around with it and its not for work you could get away with a i5 750 and save 80 bucks

 

[pipes990]

If you are willing to sacrifice on the video editing and photoshop speed the AMD 955 is cheap and works great for gaming, otherwise I would look hard at the i5-750. There are some very nice 1156 motherboards for reasonable prices.

 

[megamanx00]

A phenom II 955 BE is a good choice for a mid-range build with easy overclocking. Of course you are going to have to overclock it to get the most out of the 5870. If you're only going to use a single GPU then it makes sense to just get a good 770 board. Even so, if you're going to spend $400 on a 5870 it makes more sense to go with at least an i5 750 and overclock it. While it's not as easy to overclock due to it's locked multiplier, if you are willing you will get more power out of it than the Phenom II. niklas_13 makes a good suggestion for an LGA 1156 build.