Phenom v i5: Is it worth future proofing this build?

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!

For a gaming rig i would go with the AMD, and make a few changes



SAPPHIRE 100282-3SR Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102884
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $29.99
• 2 year: $49.99
-$10.00 Instant
$299.99
$289.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102884

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231303
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231303

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16835103065
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065



• AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGMBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103808
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
• GIGABYTE GA-790XTA-UD4 AM3 AMD 790X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128416
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
• AMD Gift - Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Coupon - Retail
Item #: N82E16800995090
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$49.99 Combo
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$349.97
$299.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.345250
Subtotal: $744.95

Thanks for the advice so far! What about the PSU? I'd really like to spend less on it but I don't want to have to buy another one next time I upgrade. Should I go bigger, smaller, or maybe there's a better and cheaper 750W one out there?

Thanks for the advice niklas. One more related question (if you wouldn't mind predicting the future for me); is it likely that with the configuration you suggest, in a few years I could grab a second 5850 for cheap, upgrade my CPU and have an economical yet worthwhile upgrade? I'd like to avoid a complete rebuild next time around if possible, and I'm interested in your take on this.

Thanks again! I'll probably be ordering these components tonight unless anyone has some ground-shattering ideas not yet presented

I would advise against planning a future CF, 2-3 years from now we'll have DX12 and whatnot. When her time is up sell it and buy a new one and have a warranty too.

So, you can buy a 500W PSU.

Hi,
From my experience, current CPU'S / motherboards will always be obsolete in that time period. Your current upgrade stategy is the best prediction of your future stategy. In other words, "Basically I'm keeping my case and my HDD and buying all new stuff." is what you will do next time. Don't plan on using yesterdays technology. There will always be something better just around the corner.

That ASUS Motherboard only has PCI-E 2.0 16x and 4x you will never be able to Crossfire with good performance if you ever need to.

If I were you I would spend a bit more on this Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128416 and have the option for Crossfire 8x/8x, USB 3 and SATA 6 Gb/s.

If you want a reliable overclocker I would go with the i5. I've only had mine for 2 days now and I've already had it up to 4.5ghz

You can buy the i5 750 off ebay for $185 w/fs. You can use bing cash back to bring it down to $170.

If your not planning on upgrading for 3 years it doesn't matter who you go with, intel or amd, your parts will surely be obsolete.
Intel is definitely the way to go for gaming right now.