Build a Q9550 rig now or wait for i5?

Whiffle · 1 Aug 2009 at 13:08

I was thinking of building a new computer with a Q9550 CPU - however, lots of people have told me I should definitely wait until the i5s come out and build a new rig with one of these instead.

Say I did want to wait until the i5 comes out, what would be the advantage of these over the Q9550?

Also, when is this new chip going to be released and how long do you think I would have to wait until there are some decent Mobos to go with it?

I have heard that someone in my position would be mad to spend such money on a new Q9550 based computer, when you could wait a short while and get something with i5 and DDR3 at a similar price but would be considerably faster. Isn't that the problem with technology in general = if you always wait for something slightly better, you would wait forever.

Considering that we are talking about a whole new chip and faster RAM and from what you have heard, would you just advise me to wait and get the i5?

I have also heard that the i5 is going to run almost as fast as the i7, but cheaper - is this true? (thus really not worth considering an i7).

sturmtruppe · 1 Aug 2009 at 15:40

Dont build a new system on an end of life socket (775), otherwise just to upgrade your cpu 3 years down the line will require a whole new board and ram.

skippy2421 · 1 Aug 2009 at 16:01

quad am3 not an option? you have a budget?

Typhoon · 1 Aug 2009 at 16:02

I7 860 would be a better bet than a Q9550 and cot about the same.

yashiro · 1 Aug 2009 at 16:20

Wait about 6 weeks or build an i7 920 system now.

Whiffle · 1 Aug 2009 at 16:30

The problem is trying to future proof my computer - I know this is virtually impossible with computers, but at the moment, going the intel route seems really uncertain. I have read that the LGA 1366 is being phased out, to make way for the LGA 1156 socket, but then this may get phased out to make way for the LGA 1156B, a socket that will be as cheap as the 1156, but has the benefits of the 1366. This seems a lot of messing around for potential intel customers, who would constantly have to keep upgrading their mobos to keep up.

Given that AMD are generally cheaper and have a much better record of compatibility with a range of boards, do you think I should go down the AMD route instead and get an AM3 board?

If so, what AMD processor would be the equivalent of say a Q9550?

Thanks

Nelly · 1 Aug 2009 at 16:42

Whiffle said:
Given that AMD are generally cheaper and have a much better record of compatibility with a range of boards, do you think I should go down the AMD route instead and get an AM3 board?

Hard to say at the moment as we dont know how good i5 core is really going to be, depends if you can wait till September or later depending if Intel delays it or not.

From personal experiance AM3 + AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition is great for gaming, Crysis (DX9) for example at 1900x1200 @ 3.2Ghz stock setting with GTX295 runs @ 52fps thats with everything on highest settings.

Whiffle said:
If so, what AMD processor would be the equivalent of say a Q9550?

Thanks

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition

BIGBC · 1 Aug 2009 at 21:25

Nelly said:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition

+1. solid processor. can build a system around that for a decent price too

MoRT489 · 11 Aug 2009 at 19:17

Are u building on a current 775 board or would u need that new too?

JonJ678 · 11 Aug 2009 at 19:20

yashiro said:
Wait about 6 weeks or build an i7 920 system now.

What this man said.

You don't future proof with computers. Make something now which does whatever it is you require of it (you should have specified an intended use). Generally set a budget then make the best machine you can for said budget.