My current PC is really giving me grief by being so slow.  I am in dire need of a faster system but probably won’t buy for another month or 2.  Here’s what I’m thinking:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
• Motherboard: something with an Intel H67 chipset
• Memory: 16GB DDR3
• Storage: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB (or maybe comparable SF-2200 SSD)
• Video: probably onboard
• Audio: probably onboard

This would be my first Intel desktop in… 16 years I think.  But I’m not optimistic that I can wait for Bulldozer.  I do have a couple of problems with the Intel system such as not being able to use ECC RAM.  The nice thing about AMD systems is the chips are not feature crippled and you can use ECC on a desktop system without paying a fortune.  But the AMD Phenom II X4 945, while cheaper than the Intel Core i5-2500K just doesn’t seem like a wise choice.

• OCZ Vertex 3
  • OCZ Vertex 3 Preview: Faster and Cheaper than the Vertex 3 Pro – AnandTech
  • Final Words : OCZ’s Vertex 3: Second-Generation SandForce For The Masses
• Intel Core i5-2500K
  • The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested – AnandTech