Final decision: Core i7 920 vs. Q9550

[goneblowitup]

Hello all, my name is Mehrad and I am new to this forum...just wanted to introduce myself...and secondly...before I begin this thread I wanted to say that I did read the thread posted by technut36 regarding this same topic but I had a different situation going on for me and did not want to steal his thread...

So...

I've just recently entered the computer market again after about three years...(my current rig is a AMD 3700/dfi lanparty nf4 ut...heh)...and I have been reading up on the new i7's and been comparing them to the q9550's.

I'm not much of a gamer...and would be using the computer mainly for video editing,ripping/burning dvds, and movies and such. Most importantly, my goal is to get a system that will last me.

With this said, I am comparing the P6T/i7 920 build to a Maximus II/Q9550. From what I have read, the Maximus II is a very stable, solid mobo (aside from a couple fixable problems) and has the advantage of being in the market for a while now and so most of its minor problems (if any) have been resolved (has a good reputation). Along with that, the q9550 now has the e0 stepping version and along with the Maximus II has is a very solid reputation among the quad core cpu's.

On the other hand, the P6T is obviously a newer motherboard, and as a result the motherboard itself (not the company) to me has not established as much of a reputation for itself (just yet)...although from what it seems it is gaining that quickly. The advantage of the i7 is that it has faster processing speeds as well as it utilizes the newest technology available. (You get my drift...)

My main thing is I'm looking for a strong, fast build but at the same time don't really want to bother with major issues with the system overtime. (the q9550 seems like the more user-friendly build as most of its problems can be resolved quickly with some googling/searching, whereas I feel I would have more issues with the P6T/920 that would be more difficult to fix to resolve.)

And then there's the whole price thing...either way I need a new mobo for both builds but P6T is 40 dollars more, cpus same price, and ram is 50 more. But I wouldn't mind spending a little more if there's a true difference between the two in daily computing operations.

Overall, I just don't know which to pick. I want something reliable, so I lean towards the 9550, but then I want it to be fast, so I lean towards i7.

So what should I pick? I'm trying make a decision by Friday so I know what I'll be shopping for during Black Friday, so any opinion would be greatly appreciated. I posted this because I've only been back in the market for about three weeks, and so I'm sure you guys would know MUCH more than I would.

Thank you, and sorry for the long post. (I keep leaning back and forth...)

[xsbb]

DDR3 is the future, and so is the new socket.

If you're building from scratch I would say go with the i7.

You'll see the difference in encoding/editing.

[IvanAndreevich]

Maybe I missed it, but what exactly do you need it for - gaming? Get a E8500 and o/c it to 4GHz+, spending the rest on the best video card you can get.

And don't get the Maximum II.. what the hell do you need it for? Get a regular P45 mobo.

[goneblowitup]

Maybe I missed it, but what exactly do you need it for - gaming? Get a E8500 and o/c it to 4GHz+, spending the rest on the best video card you can get.

And don't get the Maximum II.. what the hell do you need it for? Get a regular P45 mobo.

No, I will not be gaming.

[Blacklash]

Based on what you plan on using your system for, I'd get the P6T and i7 920. You might be interested in the below kit for tri channel too. For what it is and what it costs, it's solid IMO.

http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/...ail.asp?id=732

You should be able to get 965 speeds with great ease on the stock cooler.

[Leeghoofd]

I7 all the way, unless you are a bit limited to a tight budget socket 775 is the way to go then (and no need to cash out for the MF II, E and DLx will satify ya needs too...)
For the I7 I hope you are getting some low volt rams, just to be sure it will not cause any hassle when OC'ing ( there are workarounds but some users are not that technical to mess much in the bios)

[YukonTrooper]

Go with a cheaper P45 board, some non D9 DDR2, and processor of your choice. If you're doing just daily computer work, that's all you need, and actually way more than you need.

[YMAA]

Except that video encoding amd editing sees HUGE gains from multiple cores. i7 in this case would be the much better option.

[shazza]

Take this as only one person's opinion, but I definitely recommend the P6T and the 920. I had a heck of a time with two 775 systems ... started with the ASUS Striker II Extreme, then switched to the Rampage Extreme. I have the Rampage Extreme running fine now, but it definitely took some twiddling to get things working okay. I then needed another build, and went with the P6T and 920 (with 3 x 2GB of G.Skill RAM ... 1600 MHz 9-9-9-24 1.5-1.6V). The i7 system was very easy to set up and has had no issues whatsoever with 6 GB of RAM. I'd go with the 920 now, as it is less than a third of the cost of the 965 and should do what you need fine. You can always over clock it if you need to.

I realize my first two motherboards use DDR3, so not exactly a direct comparison for your Maximus II question. But, I wouldn't stay away from i7 because it's new. And, if you're wanting a setup that will last awhile, it might be worth it to spend a bit extra now. Good Luck with your decision.

[bowman]

Personally I went with Nehalem because it was absurdly cheaper, given that I didn't have a 775 setup to begin with. Sure, I could've reused my slow DDR2, skimped on the board.. But eh? Buy Penryn now, when Nehalem is out and the prices haven't even dropped? No way.

[veedubfreak]

Personally I went with Nehalem because it was absurdly cheaper, given that I didn't have a 775 setup to begin with. Sure, I could've reused my slow DDR2, skimped on the board.. But eh? Buy Penryn now, when Nehalem is out and the prices haven't even dropped? No way.

Thats probably one of the best ways ive seen it described. Unless you are on a super super tight budget, why go with old tech? Hell, i've upgraded twice this year and plan on going i7 in the next month. Stupid hobby is getting expensive.

[systemviper]

I'd Go i7 920 and the Gig X58 Extreme and some 2G x3 Ram, then you are set.

If yo are messing around why not go cutting edge, they will cost in the same ballpark but you get the better performance and start to learn the latest technology today "i7:

[davewolfs]

i7 is a waste of money. It's not the future, it's overpriced.

Q6600 $150, 920 $300, Asus P5Q $150, Asus P6T $300, DDR2 4GB $45, DDR3 6GB (you need tri-channel) $300.

So your looking at $345 vs $900 for very little gain. When prices drop and the 32nm chips come out you will be banging your head.

[davewolfs]

Personally I went with Nehalem because it was absurdly cheaper, given that I didn't have a 775 setup to begin with. Sure, I could've reused my slow DDR2, skimped on the board.. But eh? Buy Penryn now, when Nehalem is out and the prices haven't even dropped? No way.

Your logic makes absolutely no sense.

[Chad Boga]

i7 is a waste of money. It's not the future, it's overpriced.

Q6600 $150, 920 $300, Asus P5Q $150, Asus P6T $300, DDR2 4GB $45, DDR3 6GB (you need tri-channel) $300.

So your looking at $345 vs $900 for very little gain. When prices drop and the 32nm chips come out you will be banging your head.

I have a lot of empathy for this line of thought.

[systemviper]

I think that you an easily tighten that budget a bunch, Live still has that 25% off deal on...
Plus go with a cheaper board, they are still good, and only get 3G or ram for now and OCZ has that for 125.00

So it's not as extreme of a difference as made out to be,
Plus you are rocking and future proof....

Do some reading, I think if your looking for a economical I7 setup, they are out there and you won't sacrifice quality for it, but you gain not having to redo your whole system when you want to upgrade.

[Hornet331]

i7 is a waste of money. It's not the future, it's overpriced.

Q6600 $150, 920 $300, Asus P5Q $150, Asus P6T $300, DDR2 4GB $45, DDR3 6GB (you need tri-channel) $300.

So your looking at $345 vs $900 for very little gain. When prices drop and the 32nm chips come out you will be banging your head.

No, i just plug in a new 32nm chip and be happy.


You cant compare Q6600 with a Ci7 920... The performance of the 920 is on par with a Q9650 sometimes even close to a QX9770.

So make out of the 150$ -> 500$

Also comparing a cheap midrage board with a highend board is kinda meh... for a comparable feature set you would need to buy a board in the 200$ range... something like the ASUS P5Q3 DELUXE.

And you don't need to equipe Ci7 with tri channle... you can to gain max performance... but its also fine with dual channle.

DDR3-1333 4gb CL8 is ~150$


So to have comparable systems in performance and features it would be something like this:
Ci7:
Ci7 920 $300
Asus P6T $300
DDR3 4GB $150

C2D
C2D 9650 500$
Asus P5Q3: $200
DDR2 4gb: $45


Suprise, Surprise its 750$ (Ci7) vs. 745$.

You can even save on the rams for Ci7, cause even lowish DDR3-1066 CL9 sticks get insane bandwidths.

If money is an objective i wouldn't reccomend a Ci7 now. Then the cheaper Q6600 rig would also be ok.

[chouchou]

If money isn't too big of a deal, try something new and pull the plug on the Ci7. Only reason i recently bought C2D is because of my budget, and it definitely doesn't fit grabbing a Ci7 rig.

[systemviper]

No, i just plug in a new 32nm chip and be happy.


You cant compare Q6600 with a Ci7 920... The performance of the 920 is on par with a Q9650 sometimes even close to a QX9770.

So make out of the 150$ -> 500$

Also comparing a cheap midrage board with a highend board is kinda meh... for a comparable feature set you would need to buy a board in the 200$ range... something like the ASUS P5Q3 DELUXE.

And you don't need to equipe Ci7 with tri channle... you can to gain max performance... but its also fine with dual channle.

DDR3-1333 4gb CL8 is ~150$


So to have comparable systems in performance and features it would be something like this:
Ci7:
Ci7 920 $300
Asus P6T $300
DDR3 4GB $150

C2D
C2D 9650 500$
Asus P5Q3: $200
DDR2 4gb: $45


Suprise, Surprise its 750$ (Ci7) vs. 745$.

You can even save on the rams for Ci7, cause even lowish DDR3-1066 CL9 sticks get insane bandwidths.

If money is an objective i wouldn't reccomend a Ci7 now. Then the cheaper Q6600 rig would also be ok.

+1 Sweet, I do agree, that if money is a concern then the Q6600 knocks off 300 from the total but doesn't keep up to the speed of the other systems. (Q9650 or I7)

I7 all the way!

[davewolfs]

No, i just plug in a new 32nm chip and be happy.


You cant compare Q6600 with a Ci7 920... The performance of the 920 is on par with a Q9650 sometimes even close to a QX9770.

So make out of the 150$ -> 500$

Also comparing a cheap midrage board with a highend board is kinda meh... for a comparable feature set you would need to buy a board in the 200$ range... something like the ASUS P5Q3 DELUXE.

And you don't need to equipe Ci7 with tri channle... you can to gain max performance... but its also fine with dual channle.

DDR3-1333 4gb CL8 is ~150$


So to have comparable systems in performance and features it would be something like this:
Ci7:
Ci7 920 $300
Asus P6T $300
DDR3 4GB $150

C2D
C2D 9650 500$
Asus P5Q3: $200
DDR2 4gb: $45


Suprise, Surprise its 750$ (Ci7) vs. 745$.

You can even save on the rams for Ci7, cause even lowish DDR3-1066 CL9 sticks get insane bandwidths.

If money is an objective i wouldn't reccomend a Ci7 now. Then the cheaper Q6600 rig would also be ok.

First off, the deluxe P45 is cheaper then that. Second of all, were not talking a $500 chip, were talking a chip that is $150 and can do 3.6Ghz, third you need tri-channel if you want to take advantage of the new memory architecture.

But if laying out the prices as you have done so is what you need in order to convince yourself you are getting a good deal then by all means do so.

[davewolfs]

You know, the 25% cash back deal does make this pretty tempting. Thanks for the tip Still around $350 more which aint bad.

[chinaguy]

I would wait 6 months till i7 hardware becomes more main line. There will be new products, MB, RAM and other hardware by the shop full. There will also be a price drop!

At the moment I am building a PC based on E8500 for US $550 and that includes a HD4850!

[cobra_kai]

Just another thing to think about: The X58 chipset and LGA 1366 socket offers upgradability. Tri channel DDR3 and LGA 1366 will be around for several years to come whereas LGA 775 and DDR2 are a dead end- there will be no further releases for these products, just price drops

[George_o/c]

Anyone who is messing with multi-tasking professional applications, or even with video encoding, could benefit from using an i7 system ... It's cheap (920 and 940 are both great value for money, in comparison with the exorbitantly expensive 965 ), and it's fast ... Furthermore, you have the option of future upgrading to an even faster system, still based on the P6T Deluxe (faster cpu with unlocked multi ---> more overclockabillity, or maybe some more ram )

I'd say, since money ain't a problem, go for it !

[goneblowitup]

Wow...20+ replies in one day...you guys are great...

For me, the thing is...it's not really that money isn't an issue for me...(or else I would be going with the 965...)...but more that I'm trying to buy smart...and I guess if that's what I'm going for then I should go 920...

The pricing difference would be something like this...

i7 920.........300
P6T............300
3 gb DDR3...120ish

(total=720)

vs.

q9550.....................300
maximus II or other...200-260ish
4 gb ddr2................50

(total=550-610)

So lets be honest...100 dollars doesn't matter...but then...if I went i7 have a feeling I would be troubleshooting a lot more...right? Cause I don't have the time anymore to deal with that...

But if not, if you guys think going i7 and not doing overclocking (for now) would yield little problems...then i7 here we come...and by the way the new tech vs. old tech argument makes a lot of sense...

I just want to have confidence that going i7 won't come back two weeks later and bite me in the ass...if you know what I mean...

So should I rest assured and go for it? Or should I wait some more...cause I was thinking black Friday would be a good time to do it...and I especially want to have the system done by Christmas break...

And lastly, what is this live 25% business you guys speak about...

As always, your opinions are greatly appreciated...