Platform Selection

[Claviger]

Looking for some opinions based on objective reason, not subjective prefference :P

Currently I have an Crosshair 5 Formula and 8150 at 5015mhz. It performs well for what I want to do.

I am in a position where I can trade, straight up for a 2500k and a Maximus 4 Extreme.

As a secondary alternative, I can spend $100 more, and upgrade to an i7 3820 and a Rampage 4 Formula. Since the price is basically even, but the 2011 socket has a much better upgrade path, the 2600/2700 are not even a consideration currently. Ivy Bridge also doesn't in the slightest interest me since the 3820 is equal or better than the 3770 and IGP is wasted on me.

The video setup is crossfire 6870s. Basically the PC is used for gaming, MS office productivity, and occasionally (maybe 10 times month) video compression. I will be skipping the 6xx and 7xxx series of cards completely.

All involved CPUs will be pushed to their maximum stable OC under a custom loop, so OC vs non-OC doesn't really matter.

Suggestions on the best fit for my use? Stay with what I have, swap to 2500k, or jump up to a 3820?

[xeromist]

Clock for clock the 2500K is generally going to be better except with heavily multi-threaded apps (due to having double the actual cores). So for most games and office productivity I think you'll be better off with the 2500K. If you end up with a stinker that won't OC as well as your 8150 then it might not be worth it though. Unless the other chip has already been OC'd and you know the result then it's an unknown variable.

As to the 3820? Personally I think it would be a waste since you will do just fine with a 2500k until your next upgrade. Then you could spend that extra $100 for a better upgrade when you need it but that depends on how often you cycle your components.

[kkn]

AMD = directed more to gaming
INTEL = more for heavy aplications like autocad and sutch things
but each to their own :)
one like intel and one like amd, we are all diffrent :)
ive had amd for 10 + years now and i like it so far.

[xeromist]

AMD = directed more to gaming
INTEL = more for heavy aplications like autocad and sutch things

lol wut???

[Claviger]

I believe that falls under the "Subjective" portion of recommendations, as in, non-factual :P

[Spartan-0804]

Ive personally never had an AMD computer but ive used them and they pretty good for gaming. My Dad owns a AMD APU Zbox and he uses it to do Work but it is pretty good for it. Ive played high end games on it and it Fares pretty Well. If i were you Id take the 2500K and the Extreme since both are very good, I myself have a 2500K. Now the 3820 doesnt at all fare up to the 3770K, first the 3770K has a better Overclock and the 3820 isnt worth for the Money, Id suggest getting an LGA1155 socket for IVY Bridge. Also the 2500K is much better for the money from the 3820, dont even Bother on the 3820, Either get a 3930K or a 3960X if you have the money.

[Spartan-0804]

Looking for some opinions based on objective reason, not subjective prefference :P

Currently I have an Crosshair 5 Formula and 8150 at 5015mhz. It performs well for what I want to do.

I am in a position where I can trade, straight up for a 2500k and a Maximus 4 Extreme.

As a secondary alternative, I can spend $100 more, and upgrade to an i7 3820 and a Rampage 4 Formula. Since the price is basically even, but the 2011 socket has a much better upgrade path, the 2600/2700 are not even a consideration currently. Ivy Bridge also doesn't in the slightest interest me since the 3820 is equal or better than the 3770 and IGP is wasted on me.

The video setup is crossfire 6870s. Basically the PC is used for gaming, MS office productivity, and occasionally (maybe 10 times month) video compression. I will be skipping the 6xx and 7xxx series of cards completely.

All involved CPUs will be pushed to their maximum stable OC under a custom loop, so OC vs non-OC doesn't really matter.

Suggestions on the best fit for my use? Stay with what I have, swap to 2500k, or jump up to a 3820?

HOLY ****! 5GHZ, thats nice, my 2500K is stable at 4.4GHZ but thats using a cramped as case with the Included heatsink and only several fans, you could OC it alot more. Up to 5300MHZ if im correct.

[HiVizMan]

Based on what you are doing and your current objectives there is very little need to change. Wait one or two cycles and then change that is my considered objective advice.

[Claviger]

I think that is what I will end up doing, simply because I am not convinced that a 2500k is actually an upgrade, platform wide included.

I will probably hold out of IB-E release, go with 2011 board, and the GTX780 or HD8970 when they come out as by that time I suspect PCIE 3.0 will actually matter.