I have two builds 1100, core i7 or phenom II x4

[huskerwr38]

Okay I have two builds here. I already have a thread on my i7 build, my main uses are video games/FSX, video editing, 3d modeling, transcoding, etc.. Which is going to give me the best performance for what I need?

My Phenom II X4 build with two Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB (or should I just go HD4870X2)

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152



AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core $219.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471



CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184



Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5"/5.25" Card Reader $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162016


2x SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported $399.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply $99.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $59.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

$1,152.92

or this

Core i7 with one HD4870

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $59.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042


MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130221

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply $99.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail $288.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5"/5.25" Card Reader - Retail $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162016

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

total $1,167.84

 

[Transmaniacon]

What is your monitor resolution, if its less than 19x12, you would probably be better off with the i7 system as you can always add the second GPU later on, and one is usually plenty for most games at that resolution.

Also, I would choose HD4870 Crossfire over an HD4870X2 because the dual GPU cards generally do not scale as well, and driver support is not as good as single GPU cards like the HD4870.

 

[3Ball]

I would go with the Phenom build and a 4870X2 assuming that the purpose of this system is for gaming. The extra graphics power will come in handy. The CPU will certainly be adequate.

IMO you cant go wrong with either build. The only other idea that I could suggest would be if you were willing to crossfire a little bit down the road with the Core i7 system or not? If that is the case then the Core i7 system would be the better choice in the end.

Best,

3Ball

 

[gkay09]

Well if u are playing in a 22" monitor then 1 4870 is enuf....but if higher resolutions, then get 2 of them...
As for ur other requirements, the core i7 is best...though the P II is also gud, but to be true, it can stnad against the i7 in video editing and other tasks...

But if the video editing, 3d modeling, transcoding, etc...is secondary, then go wit the phenom...and if u can wit 2 4870...

 

[huskerwr38]

Okay, I think I made my decision. I'm going with the i7 set up, I guess I could add a second video card down the road. Thanks everyone.