Which CPU would be best with this setup?

[UltimaSlayerVII]

Hi, so right now I am building a rig. It will most likely have either triple GTX 280 OC edition in tri-SLI, or dual 4870X2s in crossfire. I was going to get the quad core Q9550 2.83 GHz, but I've read some reviews/benchmarks and I think it may not be good enough.

So basically what I'm looking for is what CPU would I need to run those monster GPUs well?
Also, I still can't decide between dual and quad core. Yes, I've read all the posts, benchmarks, etc. But right now, dual core gives more fps in today's games, but is worse in multitasking. And tomorrow's games may be optimized for 4 cores, or they might not be... so I don't want to waste cash.

So what do you guys recommend and why? Also, no QX CPUs please, I don't have $1000+ to spend on a CPU for a 5% fps increase.

Thank you very much

 

[dagger]

Q9550 will do fine, especially if you oc it.

 

[UltimaSlayerVII]

Q9550 will do fine, especially if you oc it.

Thanks. I'll be more specific, though. Should I get the Q9550- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
Or the the E8600- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115054

I will be using it mainly for hardcore gaming, mostly Crysis, COD4, TF2, and AOC. But, I would also like some amazing multitasking. I'm not talking about running 50 Crysis windows, But I'd love to do something like Crysis running, COD4 patching, installing TF2, itunes/xfire enabled, and a few browser pages open, without causing a nuclear explosion.

Thanks

 

[dagger]

You're better off with q9550. Most people do some multitasking without realizing it (antivirus, open browsers, even background processes of Windows itself). Those are moved to spare cores in a quad.

 

[falcodakrzz]

Yeah, q9550. But whatever you do dont do tri sli...Its worse than normal SLI. And may I ask, why do you even want to sli 280gtx's? Its just a big waste of money, you wont notice a performance increase over one, and theres no use futurproofing as youll be able to get something as good as a 280gtx this time next year for less than half the price. Go for a single 4870X2.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Well the second 4870x2 or the 3rd 280 isnt worth the price for %5 FPS either.

Theres a new crysis out now thats coded right, so theres no reason at all to waste so much $$$ on Video cards.

Get a P45 mobo and OC any quad to 3.6 or more if you can, and one 4870x2. It will be more then enough power for anything you throw at it.

 

[UltimaSlayerVII]

Yeah, q9550. But whatever you do dont do tri sli...Its worse than normal SLI. And may I ask, why do you even want to sli 280gtx's? Its just a big waste of money, you wont notice a performance increase over one, and theres no use futurproofing as youll be able to get something as good as a 280gtx this time next year for less than half the price. Go for a single 4870X2.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/13

Any questions?

 

[UltimaSlayerVII]

Well the second 4870x2 or the 3rd 280 isnt worth the price for %5 FPS either.

Theres a new crysis out now thats coded right, so theres no reason at all to waste so much $$$ on Video cards.

Get a P45 mobo and OC any quad to 3.6 or more if you can, and one 4870x2. It will be more then enough power for anything you throw at it.

W/ warhead out, it probably IS enough to power it. However, I'm not planning on upgrading my system after this. That's why I choose 3 gtx 280s, to run everything on max and achieve very playable fps for a year or two, and 5 years later run everything on medium/high with good fps.

Oh yea, and http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/13 may have had something to do with it.