Basically I'm looking at a computer for around 2k, mostly for gaming. I was originally just going with the i7 920(2.66Ghz) but was looking at AMD. This pc is going to be water cooled so I plan to heavily overclock. In your opinion do you think the AMD 955(3.2GHz) would preform better than the i7 920 as the 920's multiplier is locked? Also the i7 works better with ram in pares of three, but the AMD would still be duel channel so I would have to get two sticks or no?

Build:
Intel Mother Board or
AMD Mother Board

Intel i7 920 or
AMD Phenom II X4 955

GPU: GTX 285x2 SLI - Shouldn't have problems because its "Recertified" right?

3x2gig DDR3 or 2x4gig

320 7200RPM HDx2 in RAID 0

24inch Monitor

PSU - 700watt for SLI? Feel free to recommend one

Case and water cooling will be handled by Danger Den forums.

I'm not going to buy it until about next month but but if the AMD could be overclocked to be faster or just as fast as the i7 it would be worth it to save the $100. This computer is for gaming, but I will run some 3d cad software, specifically maya and autocad, and a little audio/video editing (I make amateur porn videos you should check out my site, pm for link 18+).

AMD-

Mobo:
It has a dual channel, 2 sticks. but it has a memory of 16GB. This means that you can get 2 8GB RAM sticks (if you can find em)

CPU:
Its hot, and it will fit into the mobo.

GPU: It has a 2.5 GHz speed. Very good. But, because of the directX 10, it will only be compatible with WindowsVista OS. Your the judge on whether it should work or not. But it has a 90 day warranty. If you have 2nd thoughts, get one new (you have 2k to spend).

Hard drive:
Your paying for the brand on this, 8MB cache= shit. 320GB= shit. Look at this- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395. 16MB cache, 500 GB, same RPM. For 10 dollars more.


INTEL-

Mobo:
This will support up to 12GB of RAM. with 3 slots (3 sticks). So, you can have the 3x 2GB like you linked...and have 6GB (half of max). Or you can fufill the potential of Mobo and get 3x 4GB DDR3 sticks.

CPU:
Its tight

GPU:
same

Hard Drive:
same
----

Overview: both the intel set and the AMD set work just fine together. And try to get the RAM to max its potential, this'll make your computer run faster and graphics alot less laggy. Now, you could save 100 by overclocking....but its pretty risky if you dont know what your doing. And you need an optical drive. They are both very nice builds.

This message was edited by Your_Savior on Jun 26 2009.

Thanks for help, and the suggesting on the HD. I'm using an optical drive from an older computer so that's covered. I know how to overclock and Im leaning toward intel because it a little faster outside of gaming, however whit it's multiplier locked will I be able to overclock it as far as the AMD can?

With AMD, you will overclock it higher than the intel.

what Nu wa said. And for your videos, your gonna want the intel. It has great multitasking and whatnot. But i cant lie, the AMD can and will run faster for games. The AMD is more futureproof (i think) because its alot newer model than the i7.

forget that HD, get this one. $10 more, 140GB more, 32MB cache (loads games faster), and its WD....a brand you know you can trust.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

quote

The AMD is more futureproof (i think) because its alot newer model than the i7.

nu wa, do you have an estimate at how much more you can OC the AMD compared to the Intel?

the i7 may have a lower clock speed, but it makes up for that with its newer architecture, and hence it can end up being the faster one. however, with that being said, im sure that the AMD is cheaper (sorry i havent looked - computer has too many things open right now), so in the end, its up to you to decide if you want the price, or the performance. if the performance isnt that big a difference, you might as well just go for the AMD (ugh, me siding with AMD...i feel dirty).

quote hiigaran

quote

The AMD is more futureproof (i think) because its alot newer model than the i7.

nu wa, do you have an estimate at how much more you can OC the AMD compared to the Intel?

the i7 may have a lower clock speed, but it makes up for that with its newer architecture, and hence it can end up being the faster one. however, with that being said, im sure that the AMD is cheaper (sorry i havent looked - computer has too many things open right now), so in the end, its up to you to decide if you want the price, or the performance. if the performance isnt that big a difference, you might as well just go for the AMD (ugh, me siding with AMD...i feel dirty).

hence the (i think)

Ok I think I'm going with the AMD as it would be faster in the end. About the twin 285s, are the 2gig versions worth it? $403(806) vs $345(690). Basically $116 for +2gis vram, will it matter? I'm having trouble finding 2x8gigs so I might just go for 8gigs. However before I buy this I got to find a buyer for a Clevo M570ETU/Sager np5797. Specs: Vista x64 ult, 17inch 1920x1200, blueray + hdmi/eSATA, qx9300(unlocked mult) legit no ES, GTX 280m, 4gig hyper x DDR3 ram, 320gig 7200RMP drive. Runs cpu cool at 34idle, 64-69 load no cooler. Condition new. Pm if interested with offer. Its guna be on ebay.

@hiigaran - can Intel do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB0JodKgZ0A

And yes, I know it's a little extreme, but for now AMD owns Intel in the record for overclocking.

well, can you do that?

quote Your_Savior

AMD-

Mobo:
It has a dual channel, 2 sticks. but it has a memory of 16GB. This means that you can get 2 8GB RAM sticks (if you can find em)

CPU:
Its hot, and it will fit into the mobo.

GPU: It has a 2.5 GHz speed. Very good. But, because of the directX 10, it will only be compatible with WindowsVista OS. Your the judge on whether it should work or not. But it has a 90 day warranty. If you have 2nd thoughts, get one new (you have 2k to spend).

Hard drive:
Your paying for the brand on this, 8MB cache= shit. 320GB= shit. Look at this- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395. 16MB cache, 500 GB, same RPM. For 10 dollars more.


INTEL-

Mobo:
This will support up to 12GB of RAM. with 3 slots (3 sticks). So, you can have the 3x 2GB like you linked...and have 6GB (half of max). Or you can fufill the potential of Mobo and get 3x 4GB DDR3 sticks.

CPU:
Its tight

GPU:
same

Hard Drive:
same
----

Overview: both the intel set and the AMD set work just fine together. And try to get the RAM to max its potential, this'll make your computer run faster and graphics alot less laggy. Now, you could save 100 by overclocking....but its pretty risky if you dont know what your doing. And you need an optical drive. They are both very nice builds.

This message was edited by Your_Savior on Jun 26 2009.

Man, 4GB sticks are not the only solution. You can get two sets of RAM, too. The AMD platform has four slots, so you can get 4x4GB and max the 16GB. The Intel platform has 6 slots so you can get 6x2GB to max the 12GB. FYI, here are some 4GB sticks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052323986&name=8GB%20(2%20x%204GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145243 And I don't remember seeing 8GB sticks... yet.

Also, there is no such thing as to the GTX285 not compatible with Windows 7. The only difference is that you will be limited to DX10, but that is all. It will take a while before games start to utilize it. But if you want to wait for DX11 cards, ATI are set to release them at the end of this year, way before NVIDIA.

not even extreme gamers use 12 gigs. 4 gigs is the norm, and 6 gigs is a good amount for high end systems. 8 gigs really is the maximum you should have as a high end gamer.

quote Nu Wa Rocks

@hiigaran - can Intel do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB0JodKgZ0A

And yes, I know it's a little extreme, but for now AMD owns Intel in the record for overclocking.

i havent bothered to check the video out yet, but im assuming it has something to do with the liquid nitrogen/helium cooling, as im aware that AMD holds that record.