New system, diminishing returns on performance?

[rcgldr]

My current system has a Intel Core 2 extreme at 2.93ghz with an ATI HD4870 video card. I'm running Windows XP I was considering getting an Intel i7 960 cpu and one of the DX58SO motherboards and 3gb or 6gb of ram, plus a newer ATI video card. Cpu speed goes up from 2.93ghz to 3.2ghz, not much of an increase, and a HD6950 only increases GPU speed from 750 mhz to 800mhz, but with faster memory, maybe a 10% gain versus my current video cars. HD6970 bumps this to 880mhz, which should translate into about a 20% gain.

The other option is the newer i7 2600, and one the DQ67 motherboards. Not clear if this supports a full 16 lan PCI Express video card and possibly a 1 lane PCI express sound card.

The other information is I'm using a 20" viewable CRt monitor (16" horizontal, 12" vertical), so only running at 1280x960 or 1600x1200 (unless doing video editting, where I run it at 1920x144).

Looking for suggestions / feedback.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/287?vs=100 <----- i7 950 vs 2600K

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-990x-extreme-edition-gulftown,2874.html#t59758 <---- 2600K vs $1,000 cpu

***Benchmarks/Reviews of that cpu (2600K Sandy Bridge)

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i5-2600k-i5-2500k-and-core-i3-2100-tested

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833.html

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/


http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/p67-motherboard-roundup-lga-1155-sandy-bridge,2837.html <----- P67 Motherboard Roundup: Nine $150-200 Boards


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

 

[COLGeek]

First, when you go from one CPU or GPU class to another, you can't simply compare operating speed with performance. As has been proven, time and time again, often "slower" devices outperform previous generation "faster" devices.

The real question is what is your budget and what do you plan to do with a newer, beefier system? Those factors will help generate you some better inputs from the forum.

Good luck!

 

[rcgldr]

First, when you go from one CPU or GPU class to another, you can't simply compare operating speed with performance.

I understand that, at least in the case of CPU's. However I have compared an HD6950 (800 mhz GPU / 1200 mhz memory) versus my HD4870 (750 mhz GPU / 900 mhz memory) and the 6950 was only 10% faster, at 1280x960 no AA which is what I typically use for game since I'm using a 20" viewable CRT. Sometimes I'll use 1600x1200 for some games, or 1920x1440 for video editting.

Going from 2 core to 4 core cpu will help with video processing. I currently have Adobe Premeire CS3, which won't take advantage of the GPU. I've read that CS4 did, but the later CS5 doesn't.

 

[COLGeek]

More cores will help with your video work with those apps and adding an appropriate CUDA (Adobe Mercury Playback Engine) GPU will really help with rendering. More info follows:

http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/performance/

When comparing the Radeons, not only should you consider raw performance, but energy efficiency, heat generation, features (DX10 vs DX11), multiple monitor support, etc.