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Eclypz · 03-11-2009, 04:45 PM

Nobody knows what things will be like in 3+ years, but the top of the line right now is i7....however, based on how you described your computer use, I still stand by my original recommendation and say a C2D (core2duo) is more than enough for you. If you really want quad-core, then go with i7, as the faster (extreme models) C2Q prices hardly make it worth considering. If going with C2D/C2Q I recommend going with >3GHz to future proof it, as a lower clock speed might bottle neck your video card.

Games these days are more dependent on GPU (video card) speed over CPU (to a certain extent, because the CPU still has to keep up with the GPU). In the past, a CPU can last through roughly 2-4 video card generations (unless there is a major technology change like AGP -> PCI-E).

By going the i7 route with a $1500 budget, you aren't leaving much room for a decent video card, and cheaping out on a video card with an i7 setup will gimp your gaming performance tremendously.
Don't worry about archiving data, because any computer with a big Hard drive can store data.

If you have $1500 to spend and want to spend it, then go with the i7 setup...but i just want to reiterate that I think the E8400 with a GTX295 will give you no bullshit gaming for a while.

03-11-2009, 04:45 PM	#12
Eclypz RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604 Posts: 9,795 Thanked 106 Times in 55 Posts Failed 5 Times in 2 Posts	Nobody knows what things will be like in 3+ years, but the top of the line right now is i7....however, based on how you described your computer use, I still stand by my original recommendation and say a C2D (core2duo) is more than enough for you. If you really want quad-core, then go with i7, as the faster (extreme models) C2Q prices hardly make it worth considering. If going with C2D/C2Q I recommend going with >3GHz to future proof it, as a lower clock speed might bottle neck your video card. Games these days are more dependent on GPU (video card) speed over CPU (to a certain extent, because the CPU still has to keep up with the GPU). In the past, a CPU can last through roughly 2-4 video card generations (unless there is a major technology change like AGP -> PCI-E). By going the i7 route with a $1500 budget, you aren't leaving much room for a decent video card, and cheaping out on a video card with an i7 setup will gimp your gaming performance tremendously. Don't worry about archiving data, because any computer with a big Hard drive can store data. If you have $1500 to spend and want to spend it, then go with the i7 setup...but i just want to reiterate that I think the E8400 with a GTX295 will give you no bullshit gaming for a while. Last edited by Eclypz; 03-11-2009 at 04:51 PM.