Gaming Rig: Not sure between AMD and SB

[SneakySnake]

I'm gonna be building a gaming rig this afternoon.

I can basically choose between a pII 955 and 6950's xfire, or I can do a SB build with a 2500k with 6850's. Gaming is my primary and only concern.

So what do you think will push more fps??

[Exlibris]

If those are your options, go SB. If you want to compare $ for $ on the processors, then compare the 2500k to the Phenom II X6 1090t or 1075t. AM3 mobos will also be generally a little less expensive.

HWC's review is here, including comparisons between the 2500k and the 1090t: Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5-2500K & Core i7-2600K Processors Review

[_dangtx_]

right now? 2500k all the way. when dozer hits? for regular games i dont know, even though its supposed to do well.

so try 2500k+your choice of giga or asus board and one 6950. dont skimp out there. depending on your resolution, 1-2gb ram on the card although

id go for the latter.

[Herrmoo]

Entirely depends on the game, and if it is more GPU or CPU dependent. Your question is too vague.

[Bond007]

I have to agree with dangtx on this one. Go 2500k and a single 6950. Then crossfire down the road if required.

I think 2500K is madness if your objective is more FPS now.

Dual cards with a lower CPU will SMOKE single card with a higher CPU pretty much no matter what chip you're using.

If you do intend to do incremental upgrades though, then the better CPU might not be a bad choice...

I have a 945 pII at 3.2ghz and two gtx 460s. the CPU is more often the bottleneck. if I had two 570gtx my performance wouldn't be much better. Napoleon total war is the worst offender at 35-20 fps with no response to adjusting graphics settings. there is typically little you can turn down to compensate for a slow CPU, lots you can do to lower graphics settings.

[sswilson]

If you can't wait until BD hits the streets, AFAIC it's a no-brainer. SB is today's tech, PHII is 2-3 years behind on a platform that didn't quite match up to Intel's last set of procs let alone SB.

That said... if you can wait, there's no telling what BD will bring to the table. (I'll be running BD just for S&G). :)

[bf1]

i'd go with the 2500k, and a single 6950...2500k is alot better then 955 and grab another 6950 and cf if it isnt good enough later on ;)

[draemn]

It really depends on the games you want to play. If you are playing games that will put a strain on the CPU (physX games, RTS games, etc), then you will want the 2500k... If you're looking more at the future, the 2500k will last you longer due to the 4.4-7Ghz on air :)
6850 x 2 in CF is a pretty mean GPU setup and will run any current game with max settings (maybe not metro 2033...), but stepping up to the 6950 CF will OWN games at max settings for 2560x1600 well into the coming year(s). If I remember, CF 6850 holds up well to a single 6970 for reference.