Hmm, what should I do?

[CrypticBox]

So I have about 400 dollars total to spend on a gpu/cpu combination, but I'm torn as to what to get. I can't decide between an i3 3220 paired with a 7950 and an i5 3450 paired with a 7870.

Ordinarily, I'd consider the latter a no brainer, as its obviously much more balanced. But, with Haswell around the corner, if I grabbed the i3 now, I'd be "wasting" less money whenever I end up upgrading to a new mobo and cpu. Plus, I'd end up with a more powerful video card.

On the other hand, I'm looking to start a youtube channel, so the multitasking capability of the i5 would make recording games much much smoother.

Any thoughts as to what I should do? Also, I'm curious as to whether the 7950 would provide enough of an fps boost over the 7870 to make up for the loss of frames that comes with recording.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

If you ever have want to crossfire I would get the i5, but I think it could still work with the i3. Also, the gpus don't benchmark all that differently. I was going to suggest getting a vishera cpu, but I assume you already have a motherboard.

 

[CrypticBox]

If you ever have want to crossfire I would get the i5, but I think it could still work with the i3. Also, the gpus don't benchmark all that differently. I was going to suggest getting a vishera cpu, but I assume you already have a motherboard.

Eh, I don't think crossfire is really worth all the potential difficulties and complications that can arise because of it. I'm not an enthusiast, so a single fairly powerful card will be plenty for me. And also, why vishera? I could get an 8320 at the same price point as the i5, but the i5 still wins, right? I actually don't have a mobo. I don't even have a computer. I'm looking to do my first build and I'm allotting 400 to the cpu and gpu.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

No the 8320 is about the same as an i5 in gaming, but it is still better at other applications, and multiple apps. I was honestly think you could get something more like the vishera 4300.

 

[CrypticBox]

No the 8320 is about the same as an i5 in gaming, but it is still better at other applications, and multiple apps. I was honestly think you could get something more like the vishera 4300.

I've heard it is on par with the phenom ii x4 965 which is 30 dollars cheaper. If I was going to spend 130 on a cpu, wouldn't I be better off with the i3 3220?

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

the new fx series is a lot better than the old one. you can look at the reviews for yourself.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-8350-vishera-review,3328.html
Also even if the i3 is a little better in gaming, it wont be at multitasking.