Two possible upgrade routes. Need help and suggestions. (CC involved if you want)

[KuNai]

Hello. I am planning on upgrading my PC in the coming months - for future games specifically Battlefield 3. I have an upgrade budget of ~$400 max (preferably a little bit less). HDDs need not count right now.

My current computer:
Pentium Dual Core E6500 @ 2.93GHz
2GB RAM
1x ATI 5770 1GB
750W PSU

The only game I have that struggles on this build is Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Get an average of around 28FPS on the absolute lowest settings, on 1440x900 resolution (with microstuttering too, even with game config tweaks which has a negative effect on my performance).

Route 1: AMDxATI

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition (I don't plan on overclocking at all, but this seems to be a good processor in its price range).
4GB Ripjaw RAM
CrossfireX ready motherboard
1x ATI 5770 1GB (2x later down the road. I currently have one right now.)
750W PSU

Route 2: IntelxATI

Core i5 2500 (don't plan on overclocking at all)
4GB Ripjaw RAM
CrossfireX ready motherboard
1x ATI 5770 1GB (2x later down the road. I currently have one right now.)
750W PSU

I need help on which is the better route for the long run/money. I don't really want a new graphics card because I've read a bit that 2x ATI 5770 1GB in CrossfireX is pretty good. I will be playing my games on 1680x1050.

Please link me parts on Canadian computer sites such as newegg.ca

P.S. is the site http://www.game-debate.com/ any good? It ranks the AMD Phenom II X4 955 as a 6/10.

 

[The Slayer]

If i were u, i'd go for the intel CPU. Sandy bridge was made for graphic thingys. Wait for the evy bridge tough. it's the same principe of the sandy bridge but beter. Go for 1 good GPU. I read that out your second card u only get 40%. Go for the 5870 or higher.

Now where is my CC?

 

[KuNai]

If i were u, i'd go for the intel CPU. Sandy bridge was made for graphic thingys. Wait for the evy bridge tough. it's the same principe of the sandy bridge but beter. Go for 1 good GPU. I read that out your second card u only get 40%. Go for the 5870 or higher.

Now where is my CC?

Lol. I haven't made my decision yet. I'll give you some CC later. =P

 

[Mr.Game]

If you're looking for a rig now and possibly upgrading in the future, go for
the AMD build and get this motherboard (or one of these).
They support AM3+, the next CPU chipset AMD will release.


Just curious, what's your power supply?

 

[KuNai]

If you're looking for a rig now and possibly upgrading in the future, go for
the AMD build and get this motherboard (or one of these).
They support AM3+, the next CPU chipset AMD will release.


Just curious, what's your power supply?

An Ultra 750W. I forgot to mention that in the OP, I'll edit that now.

 

[reflex99]

do you already own said power supply?

unless it is the X4 or X3, most Ultra PSU's are between mediocre and downright crap.

 

[KuNai]

do you already own said power supply?

unless it is the X4 or X3, most Ultra PSU's are between mediocre and downright crap.

Yeah, it's an Ultra LSP 750W. I got it for ~$60 CAD. I had it for a couple of months now, and it hasn't failed me.

 

[iEye Captain]

So what it really comes down to is a choice between AMD and Intel?

If you have the money, I'd go with Intel.

But that's just me.

 

[shadows5631]

I'm using the Ultra LSP 750 and have no problem running a GTX 275 and a 125 watt Phenom II. It's been nearly 2 years now with this PSU and I've had no problems.

 

[a pet rock]

Getting the 955BE is the same as getting the 2500k. It's meant for overclocking. If you're not interested in it, don't get a BE.

Also, I'd go for the 2500 over a P2 any day. Just better. At everything. Once Bulldozer comes out, things may get shaken up a bit, but right now it's all about the sandy bridge.

Oh, and I wouldn't wait on Ivy Bridge. It's coming Q4 at the earliest and SB will handle all of your gaming needs and then some. Plus anything else you might want to do.

Edit: and keeping your 5770 for now is a good plan, but when the time comes I'd think of getting a new card rather than crossfire. The 5xxx series doesn't scale very well, especially compared to the 6xxx line at >80%. By the time BF3 comes out, you'll be looking at the horizon of 7xxx cards and possibly 6xx nVidia. A medium budget card should serve you very well and will be much less hassle. Won't have to look for it used, check PSU compatibility, will have new warranty. Until then, I think your 5770 will do you fine. BC2 is a very CPU-dependent game and is probably held back more by your C2D than the 5770.

 

[IDigitalDeadI]

ewww 30fps at lowest settings at 1440x900? My specs are some similar (amd cpu however) and I use a HD4670, I get 30 fps on medium settings. How does a 5770 get less fps? Something is bottlenecking!

 

[KuNai]

ewww 30fps at lowest settings at 1440x900? My specs are some similar (amd cpu however) and I use a HD4670, I get 30 fps on medium settings. How does a 5770 get less fps? Something is bottlenecking!

Most likely my bad CPU. xD

 

[a pet rock]

ewww 30fps at lowest settings at 1440x900? My specs are some similar (amd cpu however) and I use a HD4670, I get 30 fps on medium settings. How does a 5770 get less fps? Something is bottlenecking!

It's not a bottleneck. The chip just can't handle the game, but it can handle all the power out of a 5770. BC2 is just very CPU heavy and actually uses four cores.