2600k vs 990x/970

[Madbaron]

Here i am again trying to figure out which pathway i want to go with my new system, most of the parts will be the same as i've settled on them however CPU/Motherboard i'm having a hard time choosing.

Here is both builds so far.

1155

Case - SilverStone Temjin TJ11

Motherboard - MSI Big Bang

CPU - i7 2600k

CPU Cooler - Noctua NH D-14

Memory - Corsair Dominator GT 4GB (Mushkin when they come to Australia)

Storage - OCZ Vertex 3 240GB

GPU - MSI GTX580 Twin Frozer III 2x SLI

1366

Case - SilverStone Temjin TJ11

Motherboard - Gigabyte G1. Assassin

CPU - i7 970/990x

CPU Cooler - Noctua NH D-14

Memory - Corsair Dominator GT 6GB

Storage - OCZ Vertex 3 240GB

GPU - MSI GTX580 Twin Frozer III x2 SLI

I do a fair bit of gaming, but i also will be doing graphic/video editing as well and i really cant make my mind up about both setups so i'm need a little help. Money isan't an issue as this build will have to last me a few years before i upgrade once again.

I have been leaning towards the 970 mainly because of the cores, hyperthreading and it does decent in gaming. But knowing that the 2600k leads in both gaming and power consumption it is also a very valid choice but may be a little slower in editing..

So i need help lol

Thanks

 

[Grizzly]

It's a difficult choice, x58 has all the extras you'll ever want (on the board you've chosen) and as you've noticed the extra performance.

Whereas sandybridge is supposed to have some newer chips arriving soonish of the same level as the 970.

I'd risk sandybridge with the chance of those newer chips being compatible with 1155 socket and then if that doesn't happen you're not going to be too upset that what you've bought hasn't already been replaced.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Add up how many hours you spend a week/month rendering, then add up the hours you spend gaming and go which way the figures lean.

 

[Madbaron]

It's a difficult choice, x58 has all the extras you'll ever want (on the board you've chosen) and as you've noticed the extra performance.

Whereas sandybridge is supposed to have some newer chips arriving soonish of the same level as the 970.

I'd risk sandybridge with the chance of those newer chips being compatible with 1155 socket and then if that doesn't happen you're not going to be too upset that what you've bought hasn't already been replaced.

Yea i saw that the new chips coming out are suspected to be on the 1155 boards which if thats true its an easy choice as somewhere down the line upgrading would be much easier, whereas going with the 1366 path its basically dead.

Add up how many hours you spend a week/month rendering, then add up the hours you spend gaming and go which way the figures lean.

Well every month is different depending on the work load i have, if i have a project that needs to be completed in a tight deadline i wont be gaming for weeks until its complete, however if i do have some free time then gaming takes over. So its roughly 50/50 at this point, plus if i knew which i do more of i would have gone that way.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif, FreeSans]Grizzly[/font] makes some very good points but going but after reading your reply about your work loads, I would personally go for something along the lines of X58.

If your really going for two 580's then gaming wise I think the only difference you'll see with gaming between the 2600K and 990x/970 is by running benchmarks. I don't think it will make any playable difference at all.

However if your having a particularly hectic week (this is presuming that the video/graphic editing you do is work related), then you might really come to love those extra core's. I remember that in my last job that there is nothing more frustrating than when your waiting for your PC to catch up with you when you have lots to get on with.

If you can hold off building this rig however it might pay you to do so because of the coming release of bulldozer. We're not sure how there really going to perform or the prices but you may be able to get an AMD 8 core for the price of a Intel 6 core or Intel could drop the prices of there 1366 chips to make things more competitive. This is just speculation but it's just a thought.

I'm not sure how much or your workload would benefit from the extra cores and not telling you not to go 1155 but I thought the above might be worth considering.

Hope this helps.

 

[Madbaron]

That is my dilemma right there, Both have equally good points in both gaming and Video/Graphic editing, i guess it just comes down to picking one that will work for me the longest. Granted that 6 cores from the 990x will be beneficial to my work but rather useless for gaming, Where as 2600k is perfect for gaming but a little behind in editing.. Gah this is annoying lol

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Go for a 970/990 or hold out for an 8 core. Well, that's what I'd do.

With two 580's I doubt there will be any noticeable difference in gaming but you will notice the difference when your working.

 

[Madbaron]

no doubt when the new cores come out there going to be quite expensive and from what i hear there not coming to the end of this year and i really dont want to wait that long as i'm in about to start a project in a few weeks, I might head towards the 990x as its my work and gaming will come second. So 1366.. mind you i'm upgrading from a 775 lol so any upgrade at this point will be worth it lol

 

[FunkyMonkey90]

If I was you I'd just get a 970 as the 990X is mainly based at benchers and extreme overclockers and the 970 would cost you bout half the price.

 

[I Hunta x]

The 970 seems like the ideal mid ground, pretty much in the middle between the 2600k and the 990x price wise but still gives you the performance of the 990x more or less, plus the faster you get the work done the more time you have for gaming?

 

[Madbaron]

After having a look at some benchmarks between the 2600k and the 970 many of them showed the 2600k infront of the 970 lol.. So bugger it all 2600k it is

 

[FunkyMonkey90]

Which bench marks did you look at? If there gaming bench marks they wont really show much but if they're rendering benchmarks (e.g. Cinebench) then they will show you which is best for you