$600 amd or intel? (cpu, gpu, and mobo only)

kiwi rider

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Jul 24, 2010
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Reading this site has helped me a lot in the last few months getting up to date with computer technology (haven't had a new computer since 2001). So, thanks to everyone on this site for making it an invaluable resource.

My total budget is about $1000, but I'm spending about $400 between the case, power supply, ram, hdd and optical drive. What I'm really concerned with is the combination of mobo/cpu/gpu. It seems to basically come down to a question of amd or intel... and I just don't feel like I know enough to make a decisive answer.

Purchase date: Within a week or so.

Budget: 600 USD. Can't go much over, but doesn't have to be that high.

System Usage: Mostly multitasking (most commonly music software like pro tools, math/statistics/engineering programs, word processors, and a lot of internet tabs and windows), but I would like to game a little as well (mostly CoD MW2 and StarCraft II).

Parts not required: I just need a processor, graphics card, and motherboard. Everything else is accounted for.

Preferred website for parts: Tiger Direct, Newegg, Amazon. I live in California so Newegg charges sales tax.

Part preferences:

For the processor

i5-750 = $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
Phenom II x4 965 Black Edition = $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
Phenom II x6 1055T = $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851
Phenom II x6 1090T Black Edition = $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849

For the motherboard

Intel:
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro = $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

AMD:
... I don't have any potential boards lined up.

For the graphics card

ATI Radeon HD 5770 = $170 (maybe the xfx one in the link)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447
ATI Radeon HD 5850 ~= $300 (maybe either xfx or sapphire)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

Overclocking: Yes. I've never done it before, but more than willing to learn.

SLI or Crossfire: With the cards I have selected I would probably crossfire at some point down the road. I know that lga 1156 (i5) motherboards only have x8/x8 crossfire but it doesn't seem like the difference is significant enough to push me much toward amd.

Monitor Resolution: I have two 23 inch monitors. Resolution at either 1920x1080 or 1680x1050. For gaming I'm fine just using one monitor though I I'm not sure about the visual difference for gaming in 1920x1080 vs. 1680x1050, but I'm guessing I'd be ok with playing at 1680x1050.

Additional comments:

In case you would like to take my other components into consideration:
PSU: Corsair 750W TX
RAM: G. Skill 2x2GB DDR3 1600
HDD: Western Digital 500GB (not too concerned with/will upgrade to ssd later)
CASE: Cooler Master Storm Sniper Mid-Tower


Not really considering nvidia because the only intel solution I have now (i5 w/ asus e-pro) has a max budget of $200 for the graphics card and it seems like the ati 5770 has the best price/performance in that range.

For amd I'm leaning most toward the x6 1055T not considering the x4 965 that seriously...

The obvious advantage of my amd cpu choices is that having 6 cores is nice for multitasking and someone who will have this build for many years (me), but I don't have any idea how much or little those extra two cores would help me with multitasking.

More importantly I should add that I'm kind of partial to an intel solution... not for any factual reason.. it's just a gut feeling that I'd be happier with the i5, maybe just because I have more familiarity with intel cpus. Not that I think amd is some hole in the wall company. I know an amd solution would be much cheaper and might make a cpu like the 1090T or a gpu like the 5850 affordable for me, but since I have this weird bias/lack of knowledge about amd cpus, I'd appreciate anyone suggesting an amd cpu to give me a little more explanation. Thanks.

Sorry for such a long post... just tried to be thorough about what I wanted.
 
A few things u should know about SATA/USB 3.0 tech and mobos as shown by our very own forums here
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, Motherboards, And Overcoming Bottlenecks
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-sata-6gb,2583.html
Also note that LGA 1156 shall be usurped by LGA 1155 as soon as end of this year/possible Q1 next year if u intending to sink a wee bit on chip + board FYI...
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2010/04/21/intel-sandy-bridge-details-of-the-next-gen/
 

kiwi rider

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Jul 24, 2010
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18,510
Thanks, I knew there was a problem with using both crossfire and sata/usb 3 with the p55, but I didn't know about pci express switching.

Yeah, it seems like I've picked an awkward year to consider building with intel, but I can't really wait until next year.