What CPU do you recommend for me?

[celtics999]

I am building a computer that is predominately for general use, some video editing, and some gaming (Diablo 3 and some others). My current build is listed below. Would you recommend AMD or Intel for what I am doing? And what chip specifically would you recommend? Please consider both price AND performance. Thank you.

DVD burner/CD Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304

Motherboard - ??

Video card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467

Ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

Processor - ??

OS - Win 7 64 bit

 

[enzo matrix]

There is no reason to choose "amd or intel" for a specific use. The only reasoning is choosing a specific processor.

With a 5670, you aren't looking for high end gaming. Personally, I would go with the Phenom IIx4 1055t at $180 (at least, that's what I got mine in Canada for and I know the US always has lower prices). In my opinion, any x6 past the 1055t is not worth its price. Any cheap AM3 board will do if you have no intention of overclocking and do not need features like USB3 or SATA 3.0.

A $100 alternative to the phenom IIx6 is the Athlon IIx4. I believe you can get the 3GHz version for $100. If not, the 2.9GHz version goes for $100.

There are other alternatives for different price ranges. The i5 760 at $200 is well worth the price being (in my opinion) the most powerful 4 core processor worth its price.

The Phenom II 955 can go for about $145 now and is also worth its price. The 965 and 970 are more powerful, but do not match up when it comes to price/performance.

Another alternative is the Athlon IIx3 for ~$75. You get 3 cores (today, two is kinda on its way out) for a reasonable price.

All processors I listed I believe to be worth their price. Although the 6 cores of the AMD 1055t may help in video editing or similar tasks, you might want to look into what programs you are using and if they could really benefit from the two additional cores. If they will not, I recommend either selecting the slightly cheaper Phenom IIx4 955 or the slightly more expensive Core i5 760.

While on the topic of what programs can use, you might consider looking into an nvidia GTS450, unfortunately the least expensive GPU with CUDA support. If any of your programs can have GPU acceleration in the form of CUDA, this card might be a consideration.

Of course, you will want to look at the prices of CPUs from where you intend to get your chip to get a better idea of value.

If you overclock, the i5 760 becomes even more worthwhile.

Any processor I have mentioned will be more than sufficient to play virtually any game without having a CPU bottleneck with that video card, assuming a resolution of 1920x1080.

 

[celtics999]

There is no reason to choose "amd or intel" for a specific use. The only reasoning is choosing a specific processor.

With a 5670, you aren't looking for high end gaming. Personally, I would go with the Phenom IIx4 1055t at $180 (at least, that's what I got mine in Canada for and I know the US always has lower prices). In my opinion, any x6 past the 1055t is not worth its price. Any cheap AM3 board will do if you have no intention of overclocking and do not need features like USB3 or SATA 3.0.

A $100 alternative to the phenom IIx6 is the Athlon IIx4. I believe you can get the 3GHz version for $100. If not, the 2.9GHz version goes for $100.

There are other alternatives for different price ranges. The i5 760 at $200 is well worth the price being (in my opinion) the most powerful 4 core processor worth its price.

The Phenom II 955 can go for about $145 now and is also worth its price. The 965 and 970 are more powerful, but do not match up when it comes to price/performance.

Another alternative is the Athlon IIx3 for ~$75. You get 3 cores (today, two is kinda on its way out) for a reasonable price.

All processors I listed I believe to be worth their price. Although the 6 cores of the AMD 1055t may help in video editing or similar tasks, you might want to look into what programs you are using and if they could really benefit from the two additional cores. If they will not, I recommend either selecting the slightly cheaper Phenom IIx4 955 or the slightly more expensive Core i5 760.

While on the topic of what programs can use, you might consider looking into an nvidia GTS450, unfortunately the least expensive GPU with CUDA support. If any of your programs can have GPU acceleration in the form of CUDA, this card might be a consideration.

Of course, you will want to look at the prices of CPUs from where you intend to get your chip to get a better idea of value.

If you overclock, the i5 760 becomes even more worthwhile.

Any processor I have mentioned will be more than sufficient to play virtually any game without having a CPU bottleneck with that video card, assuming a resolution of 1920x1080.

Thank you for your very useful advice. In regards to Sandy Bridge, if I go with an Intel chip should I still look to only go with the i5-760 or should I upgrade because of the inevitable price drop?

 

[geofelt]

If your budget can include a $200 cpu, then wait to Jan 9 for sandy bridge and a P67 based motherboard.
Read about it here:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871