Windows 7: New Build Questions

okay, so right now we are in the start of 2011, and with that bring me to build a desktop computer and give my current laptop to a younger family member. So this is somewhat a future build for me and talking about the new technologies. I do play games also currently AMD is more $$$ friendly than Intel.
So I am looking at the PhenomII x6 which has an amazing price of only $ 265
So should I wait for the upcoming "bulldozer" CPU from AMD or should I get the x6?

Any body have any other opinions/thoughts?

For the x6 I was looking at the the ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme AM3 AMD 890FX

So for the graphics card(s) am I stuck with choosing AMD? or can I go with Nvidia? If I can I am hoping 2-way sli. If not am I stuck with eye-finity from AMD?



Also if anybody has any recommendations please post. Also my budget is ~$1800 excluding LCD, mouse, keyboard.

Overall this should be a good build right? I am asking because this will be my first AMD build?

Sandybridge is coming

yes, but will it be affordable?

Not sure how this makes AMD more $$$ friendly, as the Core i7-950 can out perform these chips and can be had for the same price. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the only thing that can complete with a 6 core AMD is a 6 core Intel.

So an Intel quad core w/ hyper threading can out perform an x6 AMD?
I have so far gone with Intel a lot, and would like to see AMD for a try, but your statement doesn't add up. first of all the i7-950 has 2 less cores, and is clocked at 3.06 GHz. It also seems it has a locked mutiplier, while the AMD x6 is clocked at 3.33 Ghz. So how can the Intel CPU be better? Also the Intel CPU costs $285 on newegg. From this standpoint it seems that the AMD CPU has the better price/performance ratio.

I am confused so can someone please clarify?

Depending upon what you are doing, yes it can. More cores doesn't necessarily mean more performance. most depends upon the application and how well they utilize additional processors.

Well, first off. Clock speed between two different processor architectures is irrelevant. The only time you can be sure that the CPU is faster, is if you compare the same chips, but at different speeds. For example, the Intel Q9550 versus the Q9650.

Think of it like this, lets say that you have 2 vehicles and the first can go exactly 80mph and the second can go exactly 100mph. So, if you are at home depot and buying all of the materials to build a shed and wanted to get the parts home as fast as possible....you would go with the 100mph vehicle, right? Well, what if the first vehicle was a pickup truck and could handle everything in 1 load...but the second vehicle was a hatchback and would require 3 trips, back and forth. Now, the faster of the vehicles isn't the fastest at a particular task.

Ok, it's possible the Intel costs $20 more right now. I've seen it down in the $265 range in the past. Of course, the Intel consumes less power and gives off less heat from what I have read....so that too could be a consideration.

I don't want to Butt in here and I am sorry if I have, but I would go for the pickup Truck.

So, I should just stick with Intel for now. What about with Sandybridge coming up?
Also after looking at the some of the benchmark results it seems that the architecture of Intel beats AMD.

should I wait for sandybridge? I could wait until mid 2011 for my new build, that would also allow for some of my build funds build up .
yes i realize that

Go with what floats your boat and not what others tell you. AMD is a great value and OC's like a mad dog. Intel is likely on the top of the heap at the moment but it costs. Me I'm an underdog fan and any company that can rattle the giant is tops in my book. For me AMD keeps Intel real ! To actually compare it's more like Ford vs Chevy and maybe more impassioned........it's all good.

okay, so I kinda had help from Linus at NCIX Tech tips:

Now after looking at my needs/options:

• Gaming
• Video Encoding
• Architecture of CPU
• Overclock ability

I now am leaning towards Intel. What are the viable solutions w/o breaking the bank. This probably means no more than ~ $500-750 on a CPU.
What would be the most affective, I realize that that means I am stuck at 4 cores w/ hyperthreading from Intel. Also what motherboards would you recommend/suggest.

Also I am looking at single GPU at the start of the build and later on add a second in SLI. I realize that for GPU Nvidia is currently the top of the line with single GPU cards.