Advice on New CPU and MOBO

[wrxerik]

I am looking to finally upgrade my PC and want to get parts that will last me another 5 to 6 years. I am running a 939 AMD 3800+ X2 @ 3.0ghz and 3gigs of DDR400. I bought this when the CPU was first released. (to think the CPU was $325 at the time is nuts) I had it paired with a 7800gtx at the time because the Build was for BF2 when it was released.

I want another CPU and mobo combo that will last me at least another 4 to 6 years. I don't mind adding ram or getting a new GPU down the road. I already have an 1100w psu, 8gb of DDR3 1600 and 2 msi gtx460's. I am building for BF3 specifically.

So Would you go with a Sabertooth and 1100T, Sabertooth and FX 8150p, P8Z68-V PRO and I5 2500k, or P8Z68-V PRO and I7 2600k?

It is a pure gaming PC. I don't know if more cores will be better for the long term. Also saving money is a good thing but I don't mind spending for an I7 if it will last. (I would think it would be better long term than a 2500k)

If you are in my shoes what do you purchase? Other options are welcome these are just the main 4 combos I have researched.

 

[morgoth780]

the p8z68-v pro and i5 2500k, for sure. As we can see, bd is fairly far behind the i5 in gaming, and the phenom II's are just not worth buying now.

but consider this motherboard instead

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

you should have gotten something other than 2 gtx 460's, as you would have been better off with 560ti sli, and 1100w is uber overkill.

 

[wrxerik]

I have had the gtx460 for over a year and it overclocks nicely. So i just said screw it and got another, rather than spending 300plus on a new gpu. Once I get the new system together I may look into the new line of Nvidia cards when they come out.

But as far as life span, will the I5 perform as well as the I7 say 2 years from now?

 

[morgoth780]

I have had the gtx460 for over a year and it overclocks nicely. So i just said screw it and got another, rather than spending 300plus on a new gpu. Once I get the new system together I may look into the new line of Nvidia cards when they come out.

But as far as life span, will the I5 perform as well as the I7 say 2 years from now?

the i5 should perform just about as well such that they're there won't be a real-world noticeable difference.

and now your gtx460 sli choice makes much more sense and is quite good for price/performance

 

[wrxerik]

So are you saying the hyper-threading won't be that beneficial for future gaming? From what I understand Frostbite 2 will utilize all 6 or 8 cores if you are running an AMD or your Ht's if you have an I7. I would assume future game engines will probably follow a similar path.

 

[morgoth780]

since most games are much more gpu intensive, I would expect the i5 to be fine. for example, you can still play most games just fine on a core 2 duo or quad, and those are fairly old. I'd recommend against i7 cause it's $100 more, but you could go for an fx-8150 or fx-8120

 

[wrxerik]

Oh and let me reiterate: My question is basically, Is the extra 100 dollars for the 2600k worth it in the long term. I will spend if it is worth it. Is the 2600K the most future proof CPU available right now?

 

[morgoth780]

Oh and let me reiterate: My question is basically, Is the extra 100 dollars for the 2600k worth it in the long term. I will spend if it is worth it. Is the 2600K the most future proof CPU available right now?

i'd suggest posing this question in the cpu's section, as now it seems to be expressly based on the cpu to get. but most likely you will end up getting an entirely new build by the time that the i7 would be worth the extra $100

 

[wrxerik]

I posted it in the CPU section trying to see how large the performance gap will be around 4 years from now between the I5, I7 and 8150P. I don't want to build another PC for at least that amount of time.