Which CPU/Chipset to bank on for mid-range sytems?

[Epsil0n00]

I just read Anand's article about the new AM3-compatible Phenom II CPUs. The one topic I was looking for and didn't see addressed was the question about what technology is best to invest in, in terms of that CPU/Chipset's upgrade path, for mid-range systems.

Yes, for ultimate performance, go with Core i7. However, if you are trying to decided between a Core 2 Quad (Q6600), Core 2 Duo (E7500), or Phenom II X4 920/910, which all perform similarly at a similar price point ($150-$190)... which is the better choice?

Some back ground: about 3 years ago I purchased an Opteron 440 (socket 939) about a month before Core 2 Duo came out and blew AMD away... ouch. Well, I am going to be purchasing a new CPU/Mobo/RAM/Video Card/PWS in the next week or so and I want to make sure that I choose the right horse this time.

Here's my thoughts:
--- Core 2 Duo/Quad is now a 'last-gen' CPU technology with limited upgrade-ability... meaning that not too many new Core2 CPUs will be introduced as Intel is movin' on to the Core i7/i5 CPUs.

--- However, AMD has just introduced new AM3-compatible CPUs, meaning that if I purchase the Phenom II X4 920/910 I can use an AM2+ mobo today, upgrade to an AM3 mobo next year... and then swap out for a better Phenom II AM3 CPU after that. There is a good possibility that this chipset and CPU seriers will be around for a couple years... where as the Core2 series is pretty much at the end of the roadmap.


Notes about my upgrade:
--- This computer will be used for gaming, media-related stuff, Adobe products, etc.
--- My budget for the CPU/Mobo/RAM/GPU/PWS is about $700. I am planning on getting an eVGA Geforce GTX 260 Core 216 for the video card (about $200).
--- I have only ever purchased AMD CPUs... and I was fully intending to switch to a Core 2 Duo/Quad until the Phenom II was announced.
--- I will be reusing my existing case, monitor, optical drive, hard drive.


What do you all think about these questions? Discussion about the topic is welcome... or simple recommendations if you prefer.

TIA!
Epsil0n

 

[Epsil0n00]

Bump ^

I'd love to hear people's opinions on this topic...

 

[ibex333]

You said that aside from gaming, you'll use your PC for media related stuff. Well, what sort of media related stuff? It depends...
If you are not some sort of 3d artist/gfx designer, you probably don't NEED not only an i7, bit you don't even need a core2quad. Hell, you probably wont even need them a year from now! Even some of the 1st gen core2duo's are enough for most games and light photoshopping right now. (when aggressively overclocked off course) Building a "future-proof" PC is very difficult right now, because the future of i7 is uncertain. IMO, it's much better to invest in a cheap c2d cpu, then to waste money on an i7 which might become obsolete a year from now due to Intel deciding to go with a different socket. This is not certain off course, but it is possible...

So, consider what is better for you right now.. Do you want to build a very cheap, very capable c2d system right now, that will probably last you at least another year games/apps wise, or do you want to spend a lot of money on something like q9550 or i7, and hope that they will last you as long as you expect them to?

just my 2c

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: ibex333
Do you want to build a very cheap, very capable c2d system right now, that will probably last you at least another year games/apps wise, or do you want to spend a lot of money on something like q9550 or i7, and hope that they will last you as long as you expect them to?

That's why I'm thinking that the Phenom II might be a good compromise... it performs well, is priced aggrssively, and has good options for ongoing socket-compatibility. I agree that I don't need an i7... it'd be nice, but I don't want to pay that much right now. ...and Core2Duo/Quad would be fine... but that generation of CPUs is pretty much at an end--this isn't the best time to jump on the Core2 bandwagon when considering future compatibility.

 

[batuchka]

Well why not a 770 chipset on the SB700 and pair that with the incoming AM3 Phenom 2 X4 940BE?
Have a look at Gigabyte 770-UD3

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: batuchka
Well why not a 770 chipset on the SB700 and pair that with the incoming AM3 Phenom 2 X4 940BE?
Have a look at Gigabyte 770-UD3

Only problem with the 770 is it's a bit older, and that means two things:

1. No SLI/Crossfire support (though perhaps that's not necessary)
2. May stop supporting new AM3 CPUs sooner than a 790GX or 790FX. I'm constantly worried about this now because I have an nForce 570 AM2 motherboard and it doesn't support any AM2+ CPUs. Had I gotten a newer chipset, I'd have more options.

 

[Ichigo]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I got a S754 system and was stuck on it. Had I spent a bit more on a S939 board, I would've had dual core and PCI-e options.

Intel had a good thing going until this Corr i7/5 business. Now I'm not sure what gives me a decent upgrade path like S939 would've done for me. I'm actually considering AMD for a sub $1000 system now.

 

[shady28]

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00

Yes, for ultimate performance, go with Core i7. However, if you are trying to decided between a Core 2 Quad (Q6600), Core 2 Duo (E7500), or Phenom II X4 920/910, which all perform similarly at a similar price point ($150-$190)... which is the better choice?

The Phenom II smokes all of the CPUs you listed there. It is a direct competitor to the Q9550 and in some cases can hold its own against even higher end Core 2 Quads. IMO, if you already have an AM2 motherboard and DDR2 RAM, the Phenom II is clearly the best upgrade path for the money.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: shady28

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00

Yes, for ultimate performance, go with Core i7. However, if you are trying to decided between a Core 2 Quad (Q6600), Core 2 Duo (E7500), or Phenom II X4 920/910, which all perform similarly at a similar price point ($150-$190)... which is the better choice?

The Phenom II smokes all of the CPUs you listed there. It is a direct competitor to the Q9550 and in some cases can hold its own against even higher end Core 2 Quads. IMO, if you already have an AM2 motherboard and DDR2 RAM, the Phenom II is clearly the best upgrade path for the money.

Shady28, you must be talking about the Phenom II X4 940 in specific, right? The Phenom II 920 and 910 are much closer to the performance of the Q6600 and E7500 than the Q9550... at least that's what I think I'm seeing in the benchmarks from Anand's review.

I will be purchasing a new mobo and RAM along with this CPU... so if I go with a Phenom II (I am leaning this direction), I am sure I will get either a AM2+ (most likely) or AM3 board to go with it. I would not get an AM2 board as the upgrade path for that socket/chipset is at an end.

 

[Epsil0n00]

The more I think about this issue, I am really leaning towards going with the Phenom solution. It just doesn't make much sense to me to invest in Intel's last generation when that path is pretty much at an end and Intel is moving on to the Core i7/i5 platform.

 

[Denithor]

i7 920 + EX58-UD3R combo $475 - $15MIR
Crucial 3x2GB DDR3 $86
Corsair 650TX $100 - $20MIR
EVGA GTX 260/216 $230 - $30MIR

Total: $891 - $65MIR = $826

So for about $125 above your stated budget you can have the "top tier" setup and not worry about obsolescence anytime soon.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Originally posted by: Denithor
i7 920 + EX58-UD3R combo $475 - $15MIR
Crucial 3x2GB DDR3 $86
Corsair 650TX $100 - $20MIR
EVGA GTX 260/216 $230 - $30MIR

Total: $891 - $65MIR = $826

So for about $125 above your stated budget you can have the "top tier" setup and not worry about obsolescence anytime soon.

Denithor-- I really appreciate the time you took to put together that quick comparison. I'm thinking you might be right... if the price difference between a good Phenom II setup and a Core i7 setup is really only $150-$200 it might well be worth it to just bite the bullet and go with the Core i7. I'll have to do some more number crunching and see how low I can get each config.

Thanks again! ...oh, and I like your name too.

 

[Denithor]

Only thing I'd note - if you're a tiny bit flexible on the budget, there are nicer motherboards available with more features, etc, for just a bit more cash. Find the i7 920 and wander through the combo deals until you find a board you like. Might cost $25-50 more but you could be a lot happier, especially if you plan for this build to last quite a while. (EX58-UD4P comes to mind.)

 

[Ichigo]

Yeah, if you can find the money, spending more is sometimes a good option. Just make sure you don't fall into the trap of spending a little more here and there and suddenly you're $400 over your budget. I'd rather put the extra money into a better video card if you're really into games. With C2D or Phenom II, a better GPU (GTX 285?) will be better than any i7 + GTX 260.

Just consider what you really want out of the machine.

 

[Denithor]

Actually, right now the best value in gaming is either 2 4850 cards in CF ($240AR) or 2 9800GTX+ cards in SLI ($250AR) depending on which camp you prefer. Either of those solutions will kick the crap out of a single GTX 280 (let alone a GTX 260) and only cost about $50 more than the 260.

9800GTX+ (single & SLI) reviewed against GTX 280[/quote]