Which build?

[paybackdaman]

I have been on Newegg.com for the last 3 days straight, gathering items, and putting them into wish lists. I already have my case (NZXT Apollo), my powersupply (Rosewill 850W), and Disk drive, and possibly my hard drive (or at least I can use it as a back-up). I was looking at both an Intel build or an AMD build. I am fine with either.

AMD PC (Spider)
ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard @ $219.99
2 VisionTek 900206 Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card @ $184.99 each (for crossfire)
AMD Phenom 9850 BLACK EDITION 2.5GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HD985ZXAGHBOX @ $243.00
Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G8500ELK @ $79.99

or

Intel PC
XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard @ $239.99
2 XFX PVT94PYDD4 GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card @ $188.99 (for SLI)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6600 @ $230.99
Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS22G9600ELK @ $114.99

I am saving about $50 by going AMD, but I was wondering about if I spent the $50 and go Intel, would I be gaining performance, or has the Spider architecture proven itself to be a true money saver for gamers? Any other set up idea would be greatly appreciated, but I am trying to go either SLI or crossfire.
(*Note* not trying to start a flame war)

 

[Scott1]

for $50 i would say go intel.

 

[farlex85]

The intel would probably give you better performance, but that amd would be pretty sweet. If you get the intel though, don't get the e6600, as the e8400 and q6600 are priced about the same and way better. With one of those chips it would certainly outperform the amd, but most of the difference would be seen in benchies as opposed to gaming and the like.

 

[JrRacinFan]

I will make it short and sweet. Go intel but dump the XFX 780i, go for the MSI 750i, with that money saved between the cost of the motherboards get a Quad, whether it be Xeon or C2D.

Also, I need to ask, why not a second GTS and use both on the new build?

 

[paybackdaman]

The intel would probably give you better performance, but that amd would be pretty sweet. If you get the intel though, don't get the e6600, as the e8400 and q6600 are priced about the same and way better. With one of those chips it would certainly outperform the amd, but most of the difference would be seen in benchies as opposed to gaming and the like.

Yeah, I have only built AMD systems, and so far I haven't had any problems with them. However, I have never used ATI, but now with Spider it would be best to go with it. Then again nVidia is due out for a chip that will comply with Spider's architecture and still support SLI. And I have boughten computers (factory built) with Pentium 4's and never had any problem with those, but I have never seen a high end Intel preform or use one for that matter. but for gaming would you see any significant difference in the specs, or would they just show up in benchmarks as you said?

 

[paybackdaman]

I will make it short and sweet. Go intel but dump the XFX 780i, go for the MSI 750i, with that money saved between the cost of the motherboards get a Quad, whether it be Xeon or C2D.

Also, I need to ask, why not a second GTS and use both on the new build?

I really don't know. That would save me some money, but I wanted to utilize the PCI Express 2.0 bus. then again, you have a point, nothing really has maxed out x16's bus, but I want this build to futureproof me for at least 5-7 years.

 

[JrRacinFan]

The 750i has PCIe 2.0.

 

[paybackdaman]

The 750i has PCIe 2.0.

Yes it does, but the G80's only utilize the x16 bus.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Even at that I was told it doesn't even max the bandwith out on PCIe x16 1.0.

 

[farlex85]

Yeah, I have only built AMD systems, and so far I haven't had any problems with them. However, I have never used ATI, but now with Spider it would be best to go with it. Then again nVidia is due out for a chip that will comply with Spider's architecture and still support SLI. And I have boughten computers (factory built) with Pentium 4's and never had any problem with those, but I have never seen a high end Intel preform or use one for that matter. but for gaming would you see any significant difference in the specs, or would they just show up in benchmarks as you said?

The thing is most games (at least now) are far more gpu intensive than cpu intensive, so what gpu you have will be a more determining factor there. If you do a lot of cpu intensive tasks like encoding and benching, you are likely to see a big difference (same as the dual v.s. quad argument).

Intel's architecture is unquestionably much faster (although benchies arent everything, check out this thread and you can see the difference: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15868, )and if you are future proofing I would definately say go w/ them, b/c right now most things the average person does on a computer does not use all the power they offer. However, if you still want it to be relevant 5 years down the road, you gotta overcompensate.

 

[paybackdaman]

So, the Intel would futureproof me better then the AMD? Ok so now I am not so worried about the processor, but which would preform better the ATI matched up with Spider or the nVidia matched up with Intel or AMD (with the new nVidia northbridge set to be release at the mid/end of april.)

 

[farlex85]

I think the actual card is more important than the chipset its paired with (at least in most cases). Since you've already got a pretty solid nvidia card, I would vote stick w/ that and get another. Should do ya good for a while at least I would think.

 

[paybackdaman]

Alright, so if i buy a new 8800 gts (G80) then do i need to keep the same 640mb ram with the next one or can i buy the 320mb? I have never slied before, but i heard it was better to buy the same card as it reduces the chance of problems. I really want to get EVGA 320mb card though, so i can use their step-up program and in the future i can upgrade to a newer model. is this possible to sli?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Possible but your 640MB card will be recognized as a 320MB.

 

[paybackdaman]

so i should buy the 640mb version. darn...$70 more...oh well. Thanks for the advice.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Hey anytime man, you are very welcome!