[Jordster]

Hey guys,
If you've been reading my previous threads, you'll know what I've been doing - upgrading my whole PC. I first got my decent gaming case (Antec 902), a decent monitor (BenQ G2412HD), RAM (2GB 667 to G.Skill 4GB 800, which is limited to only 3GB usable due to my Intel 945 Chipset) and I traded my 8800GTS for my friends 9800GT.

I am now at the stage of choosing two paths:

1. Buy a new mobo (eVGA 750i SLI) which would also be helpful for future upgrades, such as SLI, RAM, and O.C my E8400 (Read a review where a team got it to 4.4Ghz from 3.0 on air cooling!) Also, my friend pointed out that I could use 150 dollars to SLI another 9800GT 512MB, but would it be worth it?

OR

2. Wait for the Core i5 to come out with the P55/P57 chipset to come out and buy a whole package? I've been reading articles and it's due out Q3 this year to Q1 2010. They are also going to be 32nm!

Note I am on a budget, and I am for both options, but I would like some advice on this. I looked at the i7, and doing the maths I figured it would be too expensive, even with cheap prices (i7 920, P6T-SE, and 4GB DDR3 RAM = 770 AU). I have little patience, and I don't know what to upgrade. I have a C2D E8400 3Ghz which is fine, and I see no need for Quad Core, but I know it makes a difference, and I would like some advice on these options.

Thanks in advance.

[BG-0]

9800GT SLI is a bad idea IMO. Upgrading to another S775 setup is also a bad idea, you're not going to get anywhere with it. You could maybe get 3.8-4.0 GHz with a good cooler 24/7, but... I don't know. If you immediately want OC potential, go for a P45 or X48 board and put a good single card into it.
If you really have the patience, wait for i5, and wait 2-3 months after that, hoping that the economy doesn't totally crash, then go for it when the prices have gone to what they should be... It's still probable that your wallet gets punished for no real benefit... E8400 gets expensive to outdo with poorly multi-threaded apps even today.

[Frank4d]

My take on "upgrade now or wait?" is if you need to upgrade, do it now. If you wait for the Core i5 and P55/57 chipset in Q3 this year or Q1 next year, something newer is going to be coming out six months or a year right after that. You could be waiting forever using this strategy.

[Jordster]

Indeed.

That's why I was looking at the 750i - It's overclocking potential. I've heard its a great O.C. board.

Here's the guide I read on getting it to 4.4 if anyone's interested: http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=717

[BG-0]

No kind of a guide will make you reach ANY results. You can just try your best, and where the chip's capability ends, it ends.

[Jordster]

Very true. However I could probably upgrade to i7 if its possible to get a CPU, Mobo, and RAM for about 500 dollars Australian, which is just about impossible.

[Jordster]

Sorry to throw another option in, but what about Quad Core? I'm looking at the Q8400. I know it will not be a LOT of improvement from C2D in Gaming, but it will be handy for when I run multiple programs at once, or when I get my 750i, should I get a Coolermaster V10 CPU Cooler to help O.C it?