Intel vs. AMD for my purposes (not nearly as exciting as usual)

[SpacemanSpiff]

Hi all!

Just need help deciding what's best for me right now for my first full build, particularly the classic Intel vs. AMD (but not the classic gaming circumstances) ...

EXPECTED PURCHASE DATE: closer the better ... this week or next

BUDGET RANGE: flexible ...
- up to ~$1400 w/o monitor
- lower (<=$1000) better based on price/performance diffs and my needs (e.g., if Intel config is 10% faster and 50% more $$, I'll pass; if 20% faster for 25% more $$, I'm game)
- the "COMPONENTS IN CONTENTION" trinity below should account for from <$300 to ~$600 of the total

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
- Internet (including web-powered games) / Office / Quicken/TurboTax / etc.
- low-powered games: Civilization4, Myst, the Diablo family (but want it able to handle the future of graphics on similar or more intense games)
- background Netflix movies, DVDs, music (+ripping CDs)
- dual-boot to some Linux (to relearn UNIX, escape MS, and to serve a few non-MS home network games)
- minor audio/video editing (xfers from tapes) & photos (red-eye)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor and 1st OS (XP)

PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: newegg.com, amazon.com, zipzoomfly.com (not ebay)

OVERCLOCKING: wanna try, air only

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RES: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL WANTS/GOALS:
- lasts as long as possible
- upgradabilty
- keep lots of windows open
- not too hot or too loud (but doesn't have to be cold or absolutely silent)
- may try a simple RAID config or two (willing to reinstall/play with the config a few times ... have an operational backup PC)
- mobo: sound + wireless g & n
- nice to have (beyond reliability): parts that draw less power for similar performance


COMPONENTS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE (unless you advise it) ...

Case: Gigabyte Triton 180 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233016&Tpk=Gigabyte%20Triton%20180) looks fine (no lights, no windows, no DVD door, flat top, etc.) main concern: that the case easily fits my config (e.g., no "cooling hitting the PSU" or the like)
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair%20CMPSU-650TX) (previously recommended for my build; need more W?)
Sound Card: built into mobo should be fine
Hard Drives: 2x WD6401AALS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=WD6401AALS) (came recommended)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S223B (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187) seems fine
Speakers: Logitech S220 2.1 (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-S220-Speaker-System-Black/dp/B000RQSGYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252370367&sr=1-1) looks fine
Cooling: keep hearing about Zalman and Arctic Silver 5 (necessary here?)
Keyb/Mouse: still looking for a good wireless w/ classic home keys layout

Operating System: Win XP (have) => Win7 later + best 1st-timer flavor of Linux (suggestions?)

Graphics Card: single, otherwise no idea really ... GTX 260 Core 216 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433) used to be recommended ... what's good for my above needs/goals now?


COMPONENTS IN CONTENTION ....

INTEL:
- word of their future socket changes disturbs me and risks my "compatible with foreseeable future upgrades"
- makes me think socket AM3 is more long-term starting now

CPU: i7 920 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202) (this is all I hear about ... beats AMD in tests, overclocking potential, 8 threads, etc. but is it a fit for me?)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362&Tpk=Gigabyte%20GA-EX58-UD5) vs. GA-EX58-UD3R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375) (big price diff; which is needed?)
RAM: 6GB Crucial, G.Skill or Corsair @ 1600?? (overkill on RAM? what RAM speed is best now?)
Cost today (Newegg): $485 - $690 depending

AMD:
- much less experience here ... don't know their models and mobos as well
- am I going to much care/notice the 24% performance deficiency scanning for viruses w/ AVG (Tom's H/W charts: i7-920 vs. Phenom II X4 955)
- given so many recommend Intel, will it be hard to find peer-to-peer/forums support for AMD issues, such as overclocking?

CPU: Phenom II X4 955BE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674) vs. 965BE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103692) (is this the right comparison to Intel? $50 price diff worth it? compared value for my needs to Intel?)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392) ?? ASUS M4A78T-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366) ?? MSI 790FX-GD70 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223&Tpk=MSI%20790FX-GD70) ?? (complete guesses)
RAM: 4GB Crucial, G.Skill or Corsair @ 1600?? (enough RAM? can save on above due to 2-ch)
Cost today (Newegg): $335 - $520 depending


Reminder: Any of this good/bad for dual-to-Linux?

Would also like to know of any buggy experiences/hearsay with the parts or the manufacturers.

I am putty in your hands now.

[The Wise Monkey]

I would recommend you have a look at the new i5 750 - about the same performance as the i7 920 but for $196. Plus you can then use a P55 board, which is a lot cheaper.

As for Linux suggestions, Ubuntu is always the first one that people suggest, but I would recommend Linux Mint, which I think is an easier version to get to grips with: http://www.linuxmint.com/

[RickyTick]

Second that. With the lauch of Intel's i5 and the P55 motherboard, it almost makes it a perfect choice. Here's a little reading to do.

The i5 750.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/17545

P55
http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=641
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/17513

For your described "System Usage", it doesn't seem to be overly demanding on system hardware. You should have no problem putting together a system that can handle all of that and more and easily stay within your budget.

We had talked about power supplies before. The 650 is plenty to power your system. You may even look at the HX620 since it's modular. The jump to the 750 watter is also a $30 price jump. I'm not totally sure it's worth it, but then again it's only $30.

The GTX260 or a Radeon 4870 are very adequate for your needs. A step up would be the GTX275 or the Radeon 4890. All are good choices.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Thanks, guys! I value this. Will have to look more.

Is i5 (and mobo) too new to be "sweet-spot?"

Also, any reason not to consider AMD? Esp. w/ Intel changing it's sockets so much lately? And concerns there?

thx!

[The Wise Monkey]

Well, unless your budget cannot stretch to $200 for the CPU, then AMD are probably a better option at around $150.

As for changing the sockets, this is the only change in the last five years - 775 has been around for so long, and now it is time for a generation upgrade. I think that 1156 and 1366 are going to be around for a long while yet.