I5 or i7 build for pure gaming, need mobo/cpu/psu/ram !

[enisei]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Any day now...

BUDGET RANGE: up to $650-$700 range

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming and not a single thing else

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor (LG 246wp), Video Card (Sapphire ATI Radeon 5870 1gb), Speakers, dvd-rom, case (Silverstone SST-TJ07), cables, thermal paste, Windows 7, harddrives.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com or other reputable sites

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.A.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel for cpu, everything else i dont mind

OVERCLOCKING: Yes if it's simple.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, with 2nd Radeon 5870 in future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am upgrading my current rig and am needing some advice on what components to purchase to future-proof my pc for games coming in the next year +. I have Windows 7 now installed, and I hope to Crossfire another Radeon 5870 in the distant future. I do about 99% gaming, and 1% everything else on this rig so I want to keep it strictly performance. Lastly I have about up to $700 to spend on this. Id like to TRY and keep it as low as possible, but I could go that high if it was well worth it.

Here is my current setup:
****************************************************************************************************
HDD: 1x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM + 2 x Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0Gb/s 320-GB

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium OEM

Heatsink: Thermalright 120 (It fits fine on my q6600 now, can i keep it for use on i5 or i7?)

Video Card: ATI Radeon Sapphire 5870 1gb (going to keep this, just bought it 4 months ago)

Sound Card: Auzentech Prelude (going to keep and/or goto on-board sound)
****************************************************************************************************

Here is what I need:

Mobo:

Cpu:

Ram:

PSU:

Heatsink: (if i can't use my Thermalright 120)

My big question is if it's better to save a few $ and go with the i5 chip or spend the extra cash and go i7. Considering I only have about $600-$700 to spend on the above items, which would be the best option? I only game on this machine and would like to at some point Crossfire in the future with this setup, so that does affect whether choosing the i5 or i7 is a smarter option? Also i would like to keep this system for at least a few years and still be able to play the latest games on at least some decent settings by then.

I would really appreciate any suggestions and recommendations on i5 vs i7 and on the other items I need to purchase as well.

 

[Niklas_13]

If you want to save some money go with the i5 750 or ( Maybe a AMD setup ) ? Sure the i7 930 x58 would be the best with the 16x16 PCI-E lanes but with a HD 5870 in xfire you would be getting max FPS with a monitors rez of 1920x1200 so the 8x8x vs 16x16 that the P55 vs the x58 wont madder much ( its onlt about 7 % ) so any fps after your monitor refresh rate would be a waste anyways when your eyes can only see ( WHAT 25 to 40 fps ? )




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Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750
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Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
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COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ...
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Subtotal: $539.96 + PSU Corsair 750W 109.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[WR2]

Heatsink: Thermalright 120 (It fits fine on my q6600 now, can i keep it for use on i5 or i7?)

Thermalright does have an adapter kit that will let you use your TRUE on a 1156 or 1366 socket motherboard.

Have you overclocked your Q6600? At 3.2Gbz OC a Q6600 should outperform a stock i5 750 @ 2.6Ghz. And most Q6600s can reach 3.6Ghz without too much trouble.
Of course you can OC' the i5 750 too.

 

[enisei]

Best answer selected by enisei.