~1400$ Budget Drag Race(Core i7 Vs Core2Duo)

[Mk]

OK this is my First review so be easy on me

Test System 1







Core i7 Build
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
Patriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Gore 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3
Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM
Case Thermaltake Armor Jr
PSU CaseBuy 850w 80 PLUS
Cost:~1400$
Driver Used 180.48 WHQL


Test System 2





Core 2 Duo Build
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz(Overclocked to 4Ghz)
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
EVGA LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI FTW!
MSI OC GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3(650/1300/1150)Factory Overclocked
Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM
T.R.U.E Lapped!
2xSilenX IXP-76-14 120mm Case Fan
Case Thermaltake Armor Jr
PSU CaseBuy 850w 80 PLUS
Cost:~1400$
Driver Used 180.48 WHQL








Lets Start with Some 3D Marks








All test in the following games was done on 1920x1200 resolution


Devil May Cry 4





Far Cry 2








Crysis








Need for Speed Undercover




Max Games Settings AAx6



Conclusion:
Well as you can see the Core 2 Duo with the GTX 280 preforms better in all of the games that's because that build can afford such a good Video card and will be a really good for people who want max performance for this kinda budget but I personally would not recommend it in this review because the Core i7 Build is not that far behind and it's more future prove.
you may ask "future prove!?"
well if you go With the Core i7 build you will have the ability to SLI OR to Crossfire if you dissuaded to go with ATI down the road.
you will have generally a faster computer for multitasking and you all saw guru3d review of what Core i7 can do with Multi GPU.
one more thing that make it future prove knowing from past experience with Intel that you might be able to upgrade to 32nm Core i7 without replacing your motherboard.
So what i'm trying to say here your Core i7 will live with you a long time

I hope you guys enjoyed this

[STEvil]

now put the 280 in the i7 and give another data point... and overclock the i7 so everyone doesnt jump down your throat about the system differences

[Arkangyl]

Agreed, since you have the gear give us a fair CPU vs. CPU compare. Ideally it'd be interesting to see both at a few data points:
C2D stock
C2D 3ghz, 2000mhz FSB
C2D max OC
i7 stock
i7 max OC
i7 max QPI (I don't think this can differ from max QPI on anything but the XE but if I'm wrong...)
Same GPU though!!!

Given the intent of the review it was well done though!

Just wondering what the cost breakdown was, seems the C2D setup ought only be $1000ish these days ($200ish for CPU, 100 for RAM, 100 for Mobo, 300 for 280, and these prices can be beaten with rebates & combos)

[Mk]

now put the 280 in the i7 and give another data point... and overclock the i7 so everyone doesnt jump down your throat about the system differences

ah the gear are not with me any more customers PC's

Agreed, since you have the gear give us a fair CPU vs. CPU compare. Ideally it'd be interesting to see both at a few data points:
C2D stock
C2D 3ghz, 2000mhz FSB
C2D max OC
i7 stock
i7 max OC
i7 max QPI (I don't think this can differ from max QPI on anything but the XE but if I'm wrong...)
Same GPU though!!!

Given the intent of the review it was well done though!

Just wondering what the cost breakdown was, seems the C2D setup ought only be $1000ish these days ($200ish for CPU, 100 for RAM, 100 for Mobo, 300 for 280, and these prices can be beaten with rebates & combos)

I would of overclocked the Core i7 but i dont have any cooler that will fit in LGA 1366 except the Stock cooler witch gives me 80C under prime 95.

if you add T.R.U.E ~100$ PSU ~100$ and Case ~100$ and thats not a normal GTX 280 so 400$-300$ you will get your self 1400$

[Klarko]

2.6 stock i7 vs 4.0 OC'd duo... doesnt seem very fair :/

Could you do a couple games with a closer gap between them?

[gillbot]

2.6 stock i7 vs 4.0 OC'd duo... doesnt seem very fair :/

Could you do a couple games with a closer gap between them?

It's an apples vs oranges comparison. True the C2D is OC'ed but it's also a dual core vs the multi core of the i7.

[Slovnaft]

sure, atm for gaming ghz and monster gpu rules all.
but in the future, mark my words, someone's gotta start developing something that's heavily multithreaded and for god's sake bandwidth intensive.

[Mk]

It's an apples vs oranges comparison. True the C2D is OC'ed but it's also a dual core vs the multi core of the i7.

yes its basically what would you rather get for 1.4k$ an apple or an orange

sure, atm for gaming ghz and monster gpu rules all.
but in the future, mark my words, someone's gotta start developing something that's heavily multithreaded and for god's sake bandwidth intensive.

I heard DX11 suppose to be very good at multithreading i hope we can see that soon

[HDCHOPPER]

yes apples & oranges.... but still good to have the numbers thanks!

[TheKarmakazi]

I would take the 920 over the C2D system anyday.

[valiant]

Good info IMO. Basically comparison for what you can get for 1400 bucks. I've been adding i7 systems and C2 systems in my wish lists and adding the costs and just can't go for i7 yet. But I really don't do anything other than gaming.