i7 920 equivalent replacement

[iamchel]

I'm putting my i7 920 machine aside for other uses and I need something to replace it. I'm not looking for an upgrade per se but at least on par with my current one. I'm more interested in spending less for the same performance than more for better performance.

I'll be swapping some components from the i7 into the new build so I have the following parts already

128GB crucial ssd
1tb wd black
gtx 285

I'll be using a tj08 case (matx) but I need some recommendations on a psu. Once I decide to upgrade my gpu I'll probably be going for something more energy efficient. At the moment the most demanding game I play is skyrim @ 1920x1200. I'll pretty much just be using this for gaming, browsing, and coding (python at the moment).

I've been contemplating this a bit but I can use some advice. For budget at most I'd like to spend ~$200-250 max (I'm in Canada btw) for the cpu + mobo but I obviously want to keep it as low as possible. I would like to oc if the potential performance gains are worth it.

Thus far I've found an a8-3870k + mobo combo for $170 after rebates but then there is no room at all to upgrade other than just overclocking and I wont be using the integrated graphics. I've thought about an fx chip but I'm not sure about performance. I do however like the idea of being able to upgrade to piledriver whenever it is released. Then of course there is Intel. I was thinking the i3 2100 would be sufficient and paired up with a z77 board it comes to my max budget without taxes. I wont be able to oc but it will allow me to upgrade to an unlocked cpu down the road.

I want to spend as little as possible while maintaining similar performance to my current system. I'll likely upgrade the cpu in 6 months give or take so I want the best bang for my buck. I'm leaning towards an fx cpu because of the ability to oc and the price, but I have only seen comparisons of them being made to a i5 2500k which is nowhere near the same price for the lower end.

Any advice and input would be appreciated.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Nothing from amd is at par. 2500k is faster than your CPU. 860 is obsolete but as fast. Core i3 is a degrade but probably still faster than that amd setup

If you want to play skyrim max then go for at least 2500k and since you don't want to go overboard, go for 2500k. Mc sells for sub $200 and mobo z77 asrock around $120. Mc deal maybe within $200-250 total

 

[iamchel]

The 2500k alone would almost be the entire budget lol. We also don't have mc's here. Also I should mention that I can get a 960t for about the same price of a fx-4100 so I guess it would likely be a better choice on the lower price range.

 

[lehtv]

I was thinking the i3 2100 would be sufficient and paired up with a z77 board it comes to my max budget without taxes.

I like this idea the most. AMD Phenom II or FX just doesn't cut it, bad performance/clock and high power consumption. i3-2100 is the cheapest CPU to perform similarly to i7 920 in games (Compare) and the Z77 board allows you to upgrade to i5-3570K (+cooler) later on when the need is there. You get more longevity out of the platform that way.

i3-2100 $120
Biostar TZ77B $100
2x4GB 1600 $45

You'll also need a case, a dvd drive and a PSU, correct?

I'll likely upgrade the cpu in 6 months give or take so I want the best bang for my buck.

Do you mean you'll do this upgrade in 6 months, or that you'll upgrade the CPU again in 6 months...?

 

[iamchel]

Sorry I meant cpu upgrade. I'll be building this within a week or so. Also I have the dvd drive and case but I need an opinion for a psu.

 

[lehtv]

So you're planning another CPU upgrade in 6 months?

 

[iamchel]

Yes probably, give or take. I don't want to sit at this level of performance forever. I'd probably end up trying to sell the i3 or just add it to my lab.

 

[lehtv]

i3-2100 -> i5-3570K OC s a decent upgrade in 6 months, it'll be between 50-90% faster depending on application (moderate oc)

 

[mfenn]

6 months is an awfully short amount of time between CPUs. Unless you're extremely confident that you can resell the Core i3 for close to what you paid for it, you're putting yourself $100 in the hole right off the bat. My opinion is that you should just get what you really want today (i5 3570k) or hold onto the i7 920 for a little while longer.