Which is better,Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9650 or Core i7-860?

[Garrett]

Hey guys i am looking to build a new computer for myself.My main objective is to make sure it will be a good gaming system.I have tried to find out which is better but with no luck.Most of the replies i got are telling me it depends on ones perspective.This isn't really helping me make a decision.I am getting both the processors at a particularly cheap rate,but i need to select one.It would be of great help if you have any experience with any of the above 2 processors personally.Help me please.

[Joshua]

I would definitely go with i7.Make sure you take the overall price in to consideration of building the whole computer when you decide to purchase the processor.Keep the features set in mind while making a decision.If you build your system with the latest hardware,upgrading it later on is very much easier and hassle free which makes your choice very easy to make in this case.You will be very much satisfied in terms of the over clocking, performance and flexibility of it not to mention the X58 Intel chipset works only with i7.

[Russell]

Definitely go with the i7. It's more powerful than the other processor and will definitely come in handy when you wish to make an upgrade.Since you are just going for a gaming system i7 is the way to go,Quad QX9650 would make a good linux system if we consider the advantage from that point of view.The x58 boards such as i7 are great and the ram kits for it are very well priced too,you would be crazy not to go for it from the gaming point of view.

[MattyBoy]

I disagree with these guys,i7 is just over hyped that's all there is to it.The X58 chipset is unstable over the long haul overclocking in turn making the i7 not good if you are looking for long term stability which is provided by Quad QX9650.There is no proof the i7 have any practical advantage on the QX9650.The i7 beats the QX9650 very rarely in terms of benchmarks so i dont know on what basis people are telling you to go for i7.Nehalem i7 was supposed to be very fast but just ended up being a good processor and not anything revolutionary in terms of speed so i suggest you to not go by the hype of everything.

[SecRecy]

I would suggest you to go with i7.Socket LGA 775 is a passing phase now and is being replaced by LGA 1156 which is available with i7.Keeping in mind the future,you would be advised to go for i7 for easier upgrades later on as everyone has already told you.I have an i7 and trust me it makes easy work of all the games i have played,i maximize the game in ever aspect and the i7 can handle it.I can't comment for the speed comparisons and other statistics since i haven't used the other processor.hope this helps.

[Sebastian.j]

Thanks guys, i had a huge confusion over the same thing.Lots of guys supporting and asking the thread starter to go for i7 but i think being the conservative kind i shall go for the Quad QX9650 keeping in mind the long term stability.I have not read good reports regarding the stability part and it has been confirmed here once again.There are frankly no detailed stats saying i7 is better in all aspects then Quad QX9650.

[Deb 2009]

Go with the i7 860. Its arcitecture totally different from qx and a little from i7 nehalam. It rocks! Go thru the benchmarks. Its the best worth of your buck!