APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next week
BUDGET RANGE: $700-900 in components
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Purely gaming. Supreme Commander 2, some FPS, and WoW
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, case
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg
PARTS PREFERENCES: none
OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: would like 1600x1200 minimum
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Basically I'm keeping my case and my HDD and buying all new stuff. People talk about "future proofing" but the fact is had I gone AMD instead of Intel Core 2 Duo when I bought my current system in 2006, I still would have to buy everything new but the MB. I'm getting ready to buy a new system and I want to know if the money I save on an AMD build now will truly be worthwhile in 3 years, or if I'll have to scrap everything yet again regardless of which company I go with.
Right now I'm considering:
Asus P7P55D MB - $150
Intel Core i5-750 - $195
G.SKILL Ripjaws 4x2GB PC3 12800 RAM - $115
Radeon HD 5850 - $300
Corsair 750w PSU - $110
Zerotherm Core92 heatsink/fan - $32
Total of $900
Whereas an AMD system with:
Phenom ii x4 965 BE 125W - $185
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO - $100
saves me about $75 and would allow me to keep my MB for another upgrade in a few years, as well as go dual video cards instead of replacing the one I have outright (provided that will actually be the best cost/performance decision).
Ideally in the nest 2-3 years I would just buy more RAM, a second 5850 at a cheap price, and a new processor, making for a much cheaper upgrade next time. Is this realistic with either build? Should I invest in a bigger PSU now so I can re-use it a few years down the road? Will one system OC significantly better than the other? I plan to order these parts within the week so that they arrive at my home around the same time I return. Any and all helpful adivce is appreciated!
BUDGET RANGE: $700-900 in components
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Purely gaming. Supreme Commander 2, some FPS, and WoW
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, case
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg
PARTS PREFERENCES: none
OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION: would like 1600x1200 minimum
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Basically I'm keeping my case and my HDD and buying all new stuff. People talk about "future proofing" but the fact is had I gone AMD instead of Intel Core 2 Duo when I bought my current system in 2006, I still would have to buy everything new but the MB. I'm getting ready to buy a new system and I want to know if the money I save on an AMD build now will truly be worthwhile in 3 years, or if I'll have to scrap everything yet again regardless of which company I go with.
Right now I'm considering:
Asus P7P55D MB - $150
Intel Core i5-750 - $195
G.SKILL Ripjaws 4x2GB PC3 12800 RAM - $115
Radeon HD 5850 - $300
Corsair 750w PSU - $110
Zerotherm Core92 heatsink/fan - $32
Total of $900
Whereas an AMD system with:
Phenom ii x4 965 BE 125W - $185
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO - $100
saves me about $75 and would allow me to keep my MB for another upgrade in a few years, as well as go dual video cards instead of replacing the one I have outright (provided that will actually be the best cost/performance decision).
Ideally in the nest 2-3 years I would just buy more RAM, a second 5850 at a cheap price, and a new processor, making for a much cheaper upgrade next time. Is this realistic with either build? Should I invest in a bigger PSU now so I can re-use it a few years down the road? Will one system OC significantly better than the other? I plan to order these parts within the week so that they arrive at my home around the same time I return. Any and all helpful adivce is appreciated!