New Gaming System

I am looking to build a new gaming PC in the next 2 months. I am having trouble choosing a processor/motherboard to use in this system. I am building it to play the new MMO's coming out this fall such as Fury, Warhammer Online, and Pirates of the Burning Sea, so I want a system that will play these games well. I will probably get a nvidia 8800gts for the video card and 4GB of 800mhz RAM.

Here are the processors I have been looking at with prices from newegg:

AMD X2 6000+ $170
AMD X2 5600+ $150
Intel E6600 $221
Intel E6550 $183

Are the intel processors worth the higher prices? I am not planning on doing an OCing. Which of these processors will have the best bang for the buck for my purposes. If you have another processor in mind let me know. I also need some suggestions on motherboards to go with the processors.

Do you think there will be any reason to wait 2 months before I decide on a processor, such as new releases or price drops?

Dude, anytime you ask a question about "AMD vs. Intel" You're going to get biased responses and opinons. AMD users will say "Get an AMD," while Intel users will say "Get the Intel." I personally have always used AMD, have never had problems and have loved every processor I have used from them. I am currently using the 5600 X2 and I love it. So if you ask me, I say go with the AMD.

The AMD's use a little extra power. Also, with the 6000+, make sure you get a motherboard that can make sure your RAM runs at it's proper speed (If you go with DDR2 800). I am using the ASUS Crosshair 590 SLI motherboard and it lets you change pretty much anything you want to so I would recommend it. Only thing is it costs 240 bucks. I'm just going to overclock my 5600 so it will be as fast as the 6000, and save a little money.

That's my 2 cents.

Just look at my signature Heyday, i just got my Q6600 1 month back? maybe 3 weeks ago even. (managed to get a free copy of graw2 too :P) anyway. THUS FAR, i have seen improvements in Tiberium Wars and Supreme Commander. Gaming performance is still the same in Overlord and STALKER (those being the only games i still had installed before hardware switch) Didnt try out Halo/Halo2 altho i dont think it'd make a noticable improvement.

I was using my Athlon 3200+ with the ASUS mobo forever (5 yrs now?) only part ive consistently upgraded is video card (fx 5200 (yea thats right) > leadtek 6800GT (theres a diff in the heatsink for this vs others) > bfg 7800GS)

Personally i felt my AMD held out this far for me, and i think i could still keep going with it until MAYYYBE crysis, simply cuz then im limited by the AGP slot. (the 7950GT or X1950Pro AGP started looking really good at that point haha)

Reason for teh switch? I can get a Q6600, and the mobo has both DDR2 n DDR slots, and AGP n PCI-X slots. It made my upgrade path a lil more bearable.

Now ill declare myself an AMD Fan.

(Please correct me if im wrong anybody on the following)

X2 6000+ = 3Ghz, 2x1mb cache, 2000Mhz FSB
E6550 = 2.33Ghz, 4mb cache (shared), 1333Mhz FSB

Honestly, i could go with either, i say best choice...see wat parts you have, and go that way.

Example..if u already have an LGA775 board, well it'll be cheaper to go with the E6550, you would probably need a BIOS Update to support the CPU. Sure its not going to be running at 100% performance, but it saves u a few bux.

Since it seems money may not be a factor, ive seen people recommend the Gigabyte P35 boards, particularly anything like the DS3x (where x is the model) or the DS4. Of course thats the overclockers choice board right now.

Hope some of this info helps

No OC? Then the 5600+ is by far the best one out of the bunch when it comes to price/performance. It is as simple as that...

Well waiting will not worth it how the 45 nm CPU's and the AMDs Phenom CPUa's will not come earlier than December.

However not doing OC...in our day is like having a Ferrari and going only with 50 miles/hour....Anyway if no Ob than the 5600+ looks the best choice...or with OC the E6550 is unbeatable

I'm an intel fan so i say go for intel! i was looking to upgrade my pc and i had this in my mind! have a look

Case: Silverstone Tj09
Mobo: EVGA nForce 680i
Cpu: Intel Conroe E6600 or better E6850 or Q6600
Cpu cooler: Water Cooling: Swiftech H20-120 Premium
Ram: 2x1GB Mushkin or Corsair xms2 dominator or 2x1GB OCZ
GPU: Dual EVGA 8800GTS 320MB in SLI (or 640 mb)
HD: dual WD CaviarSE16 320GB, or Seagate Barracuda 320Gb(perpendicular recording) both 7200.10 rpm
Psu: Corsair HX 620W Or OCZ GameXStream 700W
Mouse: Razer Copperhead Mouse
Keyboard: Razer Tarantula

Price: Priceless