AM3 or 1155 - Light User

[Handsome Rob]

Still running an E8400 without issue, however DDR2 is starting to have issues causing constant BSOD's. Behind the times on specific hardware, but still have fundamentals and will make hardware decisions.

Not a heavy user, still play COD MW2, FSX, Phoenix RC, and a few other misc. Besides that, media centre streaming and basic day to day use. I just can't stomach replacing DDR2, time to upgrade, but don't need much.

I've got:
E8400 @ 3.6 Ghz
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
EVGA GTX 260
4 Gb DDR2 @ 1066 Mhz
Corsair TX 650w
Antec 300
Win 7x64 (System builder, licensing issue, no?)

Want to replace CPU/MoBo/RAM/Heatsink, not sure how far to go though. I also want to get a DSLR and have a vacation this summer, so budget is important. <$600 hopefully.

For what I do, it really seems I don't need the power of SB, but I don't want to throw money away either. Overclocking is a must, tinkering is half the fun.

AM3/965 build = $369.14
1155/2500k build = $497.21
Canadia, no microcentre or such. Prices will flex with specific hardware, but a ballpark for things like P67.

Worth $120 in savings? Or just spend the money and hope the board will eventually upgrade to Ivy Bridge?

Amongst other searches:
Non-Sandy Bridge Gaming upgrade?
It's all about Sandy Bridge recently. I want to hear the alternatives.

Just can't make up my mind. Need somebody to tell me I'm stupid for trying to penny pinch $120 or that I really don't need SB.

Cheers.

 

[KlokWyze]

Why not just replace the mobo or RAM (whatever is causing the BSOD's) since you are a light user? An E8400 OC'ed to that is plenty for even heavy rendering, audio/video editing, etc. A lot cheaper than a big upgrade.

If the real reason you want to upgrade is to play around with some new hardware (seems like it ), then just go with an architecture that you are interested in. For AMD, get the black edition chips and Intel, well just get pretty much anything and it should OC pretty nicely.

 

[Handsome Rob]

..

 

[Zap]

Since Sandy Bridge is well within your $600 budget, go for it!

 

[Fhistleb]

As much as I love AMD, you'd only be saving about $50 if you went with them. I would suggest just going with an i3 build. Intel is pretty cheap and you get an awesome performance boost over AMD.

 

[muskie32]

Get the sandy bridge, then add a SSD since you can still keep it under $600.

 

[mfenn]

This,

As much as I love AMD, you'd only be saving about $50 if you went with them. I would suggest just going with an i3 build. Intel is pretty cheap and you get an awesome performance boost over AMD.

this,

Get the sandy bridge, then add a SSD since you can still keep it under $600.

this,

and for the nail in the coffin, this

Everybody loves the underdog (including me!), but a Phenom II doesn't make any damn sense right now.

 

[Handsome Rob]

Thanks much. Done.