Gaming Rig cant decide

[Omi7000]

well time to build a new rig(2 yrs w/ current system). It comes down to either sticking with AMD for 8 straight yrs now or make the move to Intel. I know that it will pretty much come down to preference and loyalty.

So for Gaming and only pure gaming performance, for me it comes down to the Phenom 9950BE or Q9550 (knowing very well, hardly no games really support quad at the moment)
I'm not calling out the fanboys of amd or intel, really dont want to make a big deal out of this. Just pure gaming in sight, benchmarking can kiss it for all that matters. Actual gaming experience feedback will determine... Or someone can just end my misery and say, dude get either one, it doesnt matter because of ........?

Vid card, im looking heavily into a 4870 or a GX2. *outside chance 4870x2(pricing concerns)

i'd like to feel confortable that what i'll put together will pretty much handle anything i throw at it for the next couple of years. (within moderation of course)

[jason str]

Get the Intel chip.:up:

[perkam]

4870 + Q9650 (It's is the same price as old price of Q9550, look for it).

Perkam

[MaxT]

there is no more choice at this point, intel wins straight up, and I had both amd and intel rigs over the years, Intel is juts doing much better now. Get any of the core duo chips with e0 stepping. Not sure why you are going with quad core for gaming vs higher clocked dual cores, unless you will keep this rig for a long time.

As far as video cards, 4870x2 can be had for a little over 400. No brainer here as well. Best buy has it on preorder for $470. Once it gets in stock, you might be able to use their 10% off coupon.

[y2kbos]

4870 + Q9650 (It's is the same price as old price of Q9550, look for it).

Perkam

You may think I am targeting you ( I seem to quote you alot ) but why would the guy get a Q9650 which is $559 over a $329 Q9550?

187mhz and extra .5 multi is hardly worth nearly twice the price!!

OP get an E8500 and HD4870X2, its your best bang for buck.

Quads are not needed for gaming in the near future and you should get 4.0ghz on the $189 E8500, that and a HD4870x2 = gaming heaven

[Asgard_thor]

I would do Q9550+9800gx2 :D

[Omi7000]

Quads are not needed for gaming in the near future and you should get 4.0ghz on the $189 E8500, that and a HD4870x2 = gaming heaven


I hear you loud and clear, this is a combo, i've looked at as well. i could go this route and pop in an in expensive quad core in lets say year and a half if things change with quad gaming usage...

Good point.. thanks.. Oc'ng is the key to extending the life spand of any gaming rig you design for the most part. 4.0ghz + HD4870x2 = not sure you will be needing anything better to run gaming, worst case scenario throw in another 4870x2?

Regarding OC'ng E8500 to 4.0ghz, is this water cooled or on air? (Tuniq120?)

[adamsleath]

Regarding OC'ng E8500 to 4.0ghz, is this water cooled or on air? (Tuniq120?)
so long as you tighten the screws on the tuniq:D

[Omi7000]

so long as you tighten the screws on the tuniq:D


What are you saying get the E8600 for the E0 stepping and lower VID's:D

[perkam]

What are you saying get the E8600 for the E0 stepping and lower VID's:DHe has a point. E8600 @ 4Ghz= Q9550 @ 3.6Ghz, so you might as well go for the cheaper E8600.

@Y2kbos, quoting me a lot doesn't mean targeting. Targeting can only occur in complicated arguments, and the topic here is far too simple for you to be targeting me :)

Perkam

[Omi7000]

without a 4870x2 i'm looking at a steep price already. For Christmas i'll probably get a 2nd one. I could probably afford if i pull all of my resources. If I could save a buck or two, please let me know.
My current wish list (https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=10342788)

[mad_skills]

Get E8600. Games can't really utilize four cores at the moment. There is only a handful of games that benefit from extra two cores. C2D at 4GHz+ is the best option for gaming right now.:up: