I5 2500K or Phenom II X4 955

[maxmax18max]

for gaming. i want to be able to play any game out today and in the near future with maxed settings at full 1080p. my favorites are: Call of Duty: MW series, Elder Scrolls IV, Crysis

I don't want overkill, but I want to have some wiggle room for future titles like:, MW3, ES V, Crysis 2 and 3.

My current system has:

CPU: undetermined
GPU: MSi GTX 560 Ti 1GB Twin Frozr
RAM: 4GB G.Skill Ripjaw 1600Mhz
PS: Apevia 700W (i'll do SLi later)
MB: undetermined
CASE: I don't know what its called since i got it from a relative
COOLER(S): stock fans and possibly a corsair H50



recommend me the best processor to fit my needs. I'm so unsure whether AMD or Intel is the better option. i hear so many goo things about Intel, but AMDis also good.

is i7 2600K another option? is it worth the extra $100?


thanks

EDIT: I will definitely overclock either to the maximum potential and use an H50


where can i find a 1155 socket motherboard from a reliable source now? i heard about the recall. i won't even use SATA3 ports. i don't want to wait until April to finish my PC and this is the major reason i am considering AMD over intel, who has served me ever since i started using computers.

i can wait if needed though.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Actually, you do want overkill. If it's not a little bit overkill now, it won't be able to run future stuff very well.

There is only one reason to get the Phenom: You could order it today and have it tomorrow. They are okay performers, but they are outclassed by Sandy Bridge -- even the i5 2300 beats most of the Phenoms.

Waiting is the hardest thing to do ... but if you're waiting for Sandy Bridge, you won't regret it at all.

2600K is only for those who use Photoshop and other apps that take advantage of Hyperthreading. For gamers/overclockers, 2500K is the top choice.

 

[dimamu15]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i5-2500k-amd-e350,2843-6.html
I think Phenom II will do fine with these upcoming games, but i5-2500 is just so much better. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/88?vs=288 Here you can see how crysis benefit more from i5-2500k
As to i7-2600k you are paying 100$ for pretty much hyper threading technology, don't buy it unless you got money to waste. For budget gaming i5 is great, and doesn't lose too much to i7-2600k.

 

[Onus]

The first thing you need to do, especially if you're interested in SLI, is replace that Apevia PSU-shaped object with a power supply suitable for use to power a computer.
Here's one of MANY reviews of the brand (links to some of their others at the beginning): http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=92 in which they're found to be overrated, out-of-spec garbage. Some of their other models simply melted when loaded.
A quality modern PSU has full range active PFC (no little voltage switch) and 80+ certification. Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, Enermax, and XFX are among the better brands.

 

[Metwinge]

I just did a complete upgrade from a PII 955 @ 3.7, MSI 790fx GD70 and a ASUS 5870 to a 2600k @ 4.5, Asrock Fatal1ty P67 with the same gpu and id say i get an extra 15 - 20% fps on current games.

If i was in your pos id go for the 2500k, easily oc to 4ghz+ and still use less energy than the 955. Please get a better PSU as jtt states

Have fun building whatever you choose!!

 

[maxmax18max]

ok. i'll go with the 2500K and maybe even the 2600K because of the sheer coolness of being able to say i have the new top-end Core i7 . i might do some Photoshop and Premiere too. the only reason i don't do it very often on my current computer (a MacBook Pro) is because it runs so slowly.

Is this a good PSU? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-006-_-Product


sorry, power supplies really aren't an area of expertise for me.

 

[Onus]

Yes, that is an excellent PSU.

 

[Metwinge]

I cant say if Photoshop and Premiere will take advantage of Hyperthreading, im sure someone will state it. 2500K is an excellent choice either way. Now start your MB hunt

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

I'd actually go with the Corsair TX750 V2 as that's the newest version of the 750TX.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

2600k

For twin 560's, I'd use the XFX Black 750 .... it's a 1st tier PSU, comparable to the Corsair HX750, but the same price as the 2nd tier TX750

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003

Cooler - Though both the H50 and the Kuhler 620 are made by the same company, (Asetek), the 620 substantially outperforms the H50

Corsair H50 73.1
Antec Kühler H2O 620 65.9

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=694&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=5

http://store.antec.com/Product/cooling-cpu_cooler/kuhler-h2o-620/0-761345-77085-9.aspx

For the MoBo, I'd do a Asus P8P67Pro or the Sabertooth TUF

 

[maxmax18max]

Best answer selected by maxmax18max.