My Birthday Build

[JerzeyLegend]

For my birthday, the week after next, I am getting parts for a new gaming build.

Here is the LINK to the wish list page on Newegg.com.

I need some opinions, and some help.

1.) I am stuck between GPUs: the GTX 295 or the HD 4870 X2

2.) I am stuck between CPUs: The Phenom II 920 or 940

3.) I need a good but cheap mobo that's easily upgraded.

4.) Any other parts i can get for less money BUT with the same (equal or better performance)

Check out the poll....

 

[JerzeyLegend]

Sorry about the poll... I don't know how to edit it.

 

[scaramonga]

No Intel options?

So I guess 'performance' is not an option either with only AMD on list?

 

[JerzeyLegend]

No Intel options?

So I guess 'performance' is not an option either with only AMD on list?

I don't want the i7. The Phenom II and i7 go hand in hand. They are on a level plane.

The performance level difference is 10%, being the i7 is 10% better than the Phenom II. For an extra $500, I am going to get a performance boost I won't even notice?

Sorry. I can get the AMD up to 4.0GHz on air. I don't even need that much horsepower.

It actually more or less rests on the choice for GPU. The HD 4870 X2 can play everything, however it can't really get down with Crysis with AA on.

That's why I have decided to just go with the GTX 925.

I am actually quite disappointed with CPUs. We have been in the 2.5-2.8GHz range for too long now. We should have 3.5-4.0GHz stock CPUs by now. Not overclocked either.

 

[MrBachelor]

I agree with Scara.... I'm going intel. I haven't yet decided but have narrowed it down to either the E8400 or Q6600 paired with either ASUS P5Q Pro or P5Q-E. Good pick with the G.Skill RAM though, that is on my list too.

I have always been an intel fan. Even when they lagged behind the the processor war.
Still I must question your decision to pair a $75 MB with a $500 video card and $230 processor. Surely a more even pairing would be in order. Unless AMD's boards are really that cheap to make compared to intel's??

I would hardly make the comparison of the X4 to the i7... it would be a more fair comparison to make against the Q9550 or Q9650.... at least on practical performance.

But to your original question I would have picked A. IMHO the 4870x2 is superior to the GTX 295.

 

[JerzeyLegend]

I am probably not gonna get anyone to agree with me on the AMD. The i7 is too expensive for it's kind of power.

BANG FOR BUCK, the AMD is better.

EDIT: Please still fill out the poll. Just choose OTHER if you disagree.

 

[MrBachelor]

You have a great point... bang for the buck AMD is great. I will likely pick one up for a home server after I upgrade my main machine.

Intel's i7 has great potential... but I'm not ready to give up that much bank for it yet. The "low end" i7 920 is a great buy... but the MB support for the i7 will run you $300 and the RAM will run another $200.... just makes it too much money for right now. Cant wait to see where they take it though. Just look at what the Core 2 Duo/Quad did from start to finish.

Oh yeah, Happy Birthday!

 

[scaramonga]

Go for an Intel Q6600 (get the G0 version) as they are great chips if your short of cash, but the AMD P II is just not worth it at all, hell it struggles to compete with the Q6600 most of the time! never mind the i7.

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Overclocking Performance - TechSpot

AMD is dead, sorry, but true.

 

[JerzeyLegend]

I agree with Scara.... I'm going intel. I haven't yet decided but have narrowed it down to either the E8400 or Q6600 paired with either ASUS P5Q Pro or P5Q-E. Good pick with the G.Skill RAM though, that is on my list too.

I have always been an intel fan. Even when they lagged behind the the processor war.
Still I must question your decision to pair a $75 MB with a $500 video card and $230 processor. Surely a more even pairing would be in order. Unless AMD's boards are really that cheap to make compared to intel's??

I would hardly make the comparison of the X4 to the i7... it would be a more fair comparison to make against the Q9550 or Q9650.... at least on practical performance.

But to your original question I would have picked A. IMHO the 4870x2 is superior to the GTX 295.

Really? What about the benchmarks? I wish someone would do an extensive benchmark. All is see are charts, unbalanced platforms in which these are testing.

Some tests say it's good, some say it's not. The benchmarks are up and down.

Check out this page for me... perhaps you can decipher it for me. Also yes, AMD boards are not alot of money.