Hiya Tech,
I'm currently in the market to upgrade my self-built PC sometime around May-June and I had a couple questions about Processors. My current build is this:
OS: Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+ 2.00Ghz Socket 939
Motherboard: ASUSTek NODUSM3 1.05 Socket 939
RAM: 3GB (512MB, 512MB, 1GB, 1GB mixed brand) DDR2
HDD: WDC WD20 00JS-60NCB1 (200GB)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD5750 1GB DDR5 PCI-E x16
Obviously, the processor and motherboard are quite a bit behind the times. I haven't touched those parts in years, and most stores I've looked at don't even carry Socket 939s any more. Therefore, I'm likely going to have to replace the Processor, Motherboard, and RAM altogether as I'm sure most newer motherboards take DDR3 instead of DDR2.
I've been browsing newegg to get a good idea of my estimated costs, and I noticed that Intel's i7 series is assloads more expensive than what appear to be comparable AMD Phenom II chips. Is there something I'm overlooking about the i7 series that makes it worth so much more?
For example, this i7-940 2.66Ghz Quad core processor ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202 ) goes for nearly $300, where as this Phenom II X4 965 3.4 Ghz Quad core processor ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103727 ) is under $200.
There is a similar ~$100 price gap between i7 compatible motherboards, and Phenom II compatible motherboards as well. Am I completely missing something here? Is the i7 chip so vastly superior to the 0.8 x 4 Ghz faster Phenom II chip that it warrants the price tag? Is this just something that has to do with integrated features on the i7 Motherboard that I won't be using? (ie: Integrated Graphics). What's going on?
Personally, I doubt I'll have more than $400-$500 to spend immediately in May/June, so I'm leaning towards the AMD chipset (taking into account that I'll likely have to spend ~$100 on DDR3 RAM). However, I don't want to be missing out on a considerable performance gap if one does exist. Pretty much what I'm asking, is is the i7 chipset really worth the extra time/money? Am I missing another alternative? Am I completely clueless?
Thanks
Edit: Dunno if it makes a difference, but the case I'm using (due entirely to sheer laziness) is that of a HP Pavilion a1600n Media. Yay re-using parts?