AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black 3.0GHz vs. AMD Phenom II X4 980 BE

[chutneylaura]

I don't if the 980E is worth the money over the 960T. Here's the configurations I have for both. Part list permalink: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/37ly
Part price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/37ly/by_merchant

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek LOKI SD963 52.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($4.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($136.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: AMD Entertainment Edition 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: AMD Entertainment Edition 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $608.93
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2011-12-19 16:21 EST-0500)
Or replace the CPU with the AMD Phenom II X4 980 BE. I still have to get a case and a 500 watt power supply, which I could use suggestions for too.

 

[amuffin]

hey you can get an i5-2500k machine for that price! http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=28&post=321379&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=&trash_post=&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0#t2418878

 

[chutneylaura]

But isn't AMD better for gaming?

 

[thently]

No not at all in any way. You will be able to game fine on the setup you picked but intel is the gamesr choice right now.

Thent

 

[amuffin]

nope it is very hard to beat the i5-2500k in gaming. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/362?vs=288

 

[chutneylaura]

The 980E is on sale at $170, so that rules out the intel-2500K. And if there isn't that much of a difference between the 980E and the 960T, I'll pay less money for the 960T. Any suggestions for cases and 500 watt power supply (not in a combo, separated.) I really don't want to spend over $700, just want cheap nut good quality. Not parts that are over the top, planning on playing X planes 10 on high settings though. I don't know what is required for that.

 

[amuffin]

The 980E is on sale at $170, so that rules out the intel-2500K. And if there isn't that much of a difference between the 980E and the 960T, I'll pay less money for the 960T. Any suggestions for cases and 500 watt power supply (not in a combo, separated.) I really don't want to spend over $700, just want cheap nut good quality. Not parts that are over the top, planning on playing X planes 10 on high settings though. I don't know what is required for that.

2500k is ready for ivybridge in april.

 

[amuffin]

so you could get an i3 and used your saved money to get the i7-3770k.

 

[chutneylaura]

Isn't it really difficult to change a processor? And I what do I do with the i3, pitch it? How much will the i7-3770k be?

 

[amuffin]

Isn't it really difficult to change a processor? And I what do I do with the i3, pitch it? How much will the i7-3770k be?

very easy to change cpu's. The 3770k will most likely be around the price of the 2600k. Or you could get a i5-3570k. But we don't know how these cpu's perform.

 

[amuffin]

if you are only gaming, the i3 outperforms the 980be for 70 bucks cheaper. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=362

 

[chutneylaura]

Maybe sometime down the road I'll upgrade to a really nice processor, but not now. But do you know which AMD is a better buy?

 

[amuffin]

Maybe sometime down the road I'll upgrade to a really nice processor, but not now. But do you know which AMD is a better buy?

I would say i3-2100, it outperforms both of these cpu's in gaming and is slightly cheaper. And uses socket 1155 which is ivybridge compatible.

 

[FinneousPJ]

The 960T is a better buy. You should overclock it to match and surpass the 980.

 

[chutneylaura]

Thats impressive. I was talking to a Geek Squad guy at Best Buy, and he said I should invest in 4 cores, better for games in the future so I won't have to upgrade as quickly. Are there any good cheap i5s?

 

[FinneousPJ]

I would say i3-2100, it outperforms both of these cpu's in gaming and is slightly cheaper. And uses socket 1155 which is ivybridge compatible.

That's not a valid answer to which AMD :lol:

 

[amuffin]

Thats impressive. I was talking to a Geek Squad guy at Best Buy, and he said I should invest in 4 cores, better for games in the future so I won't have to upgrade as quickly. Are there any good cheap i5s?

i5-2300, but the best one is the 2500k!

 

[amuffin]

That's not a valid answer to which AMD :lol:

yet it is a better suggestion.

 

[chutneylaura]

If I decided to change to an intel, would I have to completely change my current computer configuration?

 

[amuffin]

If I decided to change to an intel, would I have to completely change my current computer configuration?

only cpu and mobo, possibly ram. Go and check out my previous thread, there is an entire system there.

 

[chutneylaura]

I have to still buy a power supply (500 watts) and a case, so I don't think I can afford your computer.

 

[FinneousPJ]

If your budget is $600 then the build you posted is quite good. The i3 is slightly better in (some) benchmarks, nothing you would really notice while using your computer. I'm sure if I looked I could find some benchmark where the AMD CPU wins - either is great in this price range.

EDIT: that mobo is making your build quite expensive, are you sure you need all the features it has?

 

[chutneylaura]

I have no idea if I need all the features it has. If there is something cheaper and makes more sense i'll take it

 

[deadjon]

Get the PII 980 BE, an aftermarket cooler and look at some Overclocking guides.

Overclock it to a stupid clock speed and you will be sorted for gaming.

A lot of games these days like High Clocked Quads, and a 4.3+ghz PII will be more than enough to handle the latest and most CPU intensive games.

 

[boabs]

so you could get an i3 and used your saved money to get the i7-3770k.

Thats wot ive done got rid of amd 965 . got asus maximus i3 top tick me over till intel bring out the new chips next year.
im unsure if to get rid of my rip jaws dual channel 7cl ram for tri channel ram now that im on intel.