Upgrade question CPU & Board rec?

[CZJZ]

Hi all, I've been out of the loop for awhile but I have been doing some reading here to try and catch up a bit. I want to upgrade from what I'm running now a P4 3.2 , 2 gigs ddr1, agp slot video card. Let me also say I don't need to upgrade for the current games I play but I WANT to upgrade for some future games I may start playing. The rigs purpose will be just gaming but i don't need to the latest and greatest heat just a solid comp that has room to upgrade a little later.

I already have some gskill ddr 2 ram, a pci-e video card someone gave me and I am going to use my current HD, PS, and I have an extra case. I think my PS is an antec 400w true blue (name may be wrong wattage is correct) If i need to upgrade the PS im ok with that. I will keep my old comp for burning,storage,surfing.

I know I want to go with an Intel cpu and Im flexible on a mobo recommendation. I have had gigabyte booards, msi, asus. I actually have had the best experience with msi boards but im open to other brands like biostar, dfi also.

My main question lies in what chip to go with such as:

a Core 2 quad q9400 for $210.83 (a bit cheaper than the two to follow but do I need or will I benefit that much performance vs price on these next 2?)


Core 2 quad q9550 $260.50

or

Core i7 920 $277.50

My budget is around $400 to $425 for these 2 components. The i7 mobo may price this combo out of reach but is the performance for an i7 over the q9400 or q9550 worth saving a little more $ to get it? I've already waited about 7 weeks for my upgrade and I'm ready to move on something

Which board(s) would you recommend for the cpu you recommend for me?

Thanks for the help.

 

[jandlecack]

In this case I would definitely wait for the Core i5, since the LGA775 socket is pretty much being phased out. Get an i5 rig once they're out and you'll be able to upgrade with much less effort in the future, if need be.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: CZJZ
Hi all, I've been out of the loop for awhile but I have been doing some reading here to try and catch up a bit. I want to upgrade from what I'm running now a P4 3.2 , 2 gigs ddr1, agp slot video card. Let me also say I don't need to upgrade for the current games I play but I WANT to upgrade for some future games I may start playing. The rigs purpose will be just gaming but i don't need to the latest and greatest heat just a solid comp that has room to upgrade a little later. ~ ~ ~

Meet Blackie. Blackie with one of his (her?) friends.

At 19x12 Blackie plays well with Ruby's big sister.. If you are looking more long term, want to get in cheap and game at 16x10 and less lookee here.

 

[veri745]

If you're heart-set on Intel, I would go with the i7 or listen to jandlecack and wait for i5. I think AMD beats the price/performance of any LGA775, plus if you go AM3 you still have an upgrade path, where as on LGA775 you don't.

 

[jandlecack]

Yeah I would have suggested Core i7 but as i5 is intended to replace 775 and its mainstream processors I think that's basically the safer upgrade for the mentioned "future proof" gaming system. Also it sounded like a game and GPU heavy intention, so I would definitely either recommend i5 or AM3 at the moment.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Core i7 to bits. But if you really want just the best gaming performance it's much more viable to run Core i5 with a beefier GPU. Unless you can print money and get both that is.

 

[CZJZ]

Thx for the posts guys. Hmm, so how long before the i5's come out and another question will be how pricey will they be? I may not be able to step up to a i5 and mobo that will run it.

Thx