i7 or 955 for mathematical calculations?

Hi all, I currently use E4400 that I bought 2 years ago, for computing tasks, gaming, audio, programming (VS2008) and everything is fine. But there is one problem. I also use an electronic simulator (Proteus) which requires very high CPU power for mathematical calculations. Most simulations take my E4400 to around 90% CPU Load resulting in slow simulation and some as far as 100% CPU load with the simulation turning off.

Now, my question: I'm looking for an upgrade path: a Core i7 920 or Phenom II X4 955. I am keeping my monitor and everything else is going to be new.

My current rig is:

E4400

G31 Intel

4GB DDR2 RAM (800 MHz)

9500GT 512MB GDDR3 XFX

80GB SATA HD Samsung

What processor do you recommend, how much RAM(I'm thinking of DDR3) and graphics? I'm limited to $850. So I need your help.

Thanks in advance.

I would go for i7 if you can afford it but it might be easier to stay under your budget with phenom II.

DDR3 is of course the only route to go with i7. how much? at least 6 GB. 3x2GB sticks.

For phenom II, you can use ddr2 or ddr3 depending on your motherboard. I would go with ddr3.

Graphics- not sure but something like a 4870 or gtx 260.

Basically, if you can manage it, go for the i7. but phenom II wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Sadly, it's impossible with that budget.  The board, the cpu and ram will already hit over $1000.  I'm wondering if hopping up to a Q series processor may be more affordable and will give you a boost because of the higher cache.  Not sure though.

Yeah its going to be tough to build a i7 system on $850. I would save some cash and upgrade to a quad core core2 or do the Phenom II.

I wonder what you mean "with the simulation turning off."? The program crashes and does not complete?

CPU loads of 90-100% are not a big deal and typical of iterative mathematical program algorithms.

Im sorry have to ask.....

How are you guys pricing the i7's?  Back in Feb/March I upgraded my system with an i7 and it didn't break my bank.  Now with the components even cheaper its even a better deal saving a few hundred bucks in the end.

i7 920 = ~$200-240 (depending on deals)

xxx board = ~$160-250 (anywhere from good to even very decent can be in that range)

Ram 6Gigs = ~$100-150 (depending on brand really)

So right there we are at = ~$460 to 640.  Thats plenty of money to get a very decent GPU and even a bigger HDD.  Probably pick up a GTX 260 or maybe a ATI 4870 depending on where you sit with everything and toss in a 640-1TB drive depending on your needs.  If you really don't need the space and with an 80Gig drive doubt you'll need 10x more space.  If there then you could maybe get an aftermarket CPU cooler and OC the CPU a little bit and get even more perfromance out of her.

Depending on the program though if its not hyperthreading friendly it could be hampering the speed which a X4 might be a better idea.  Not sure on prices on those systems but they are usually a little cheaper.  As well now with the P55 platform out you could get the newer CPU's i7 8xx's or i5 7xx's  that use less power and give similar performance of the i7 9xx series.  Something to consider if you haven't purchased it already.

pure mathematical calculations are all about the megahertz baby =]

so going with a quad core won't really help your cause unless said simulator can utilize said cores.

doing some research, is this the program you're using? http://www.ece.lsu.edu/koppel/proteus.html

it seems to be able to handle mutiple cores so my personal choice is core i7 =] overclocked to the max!

depending on whether or not you can reuse your case, HD and PSU:

AMD Phenom II 965 is often bundled with a MB such as MSI 790FX-GD70 for around $430

OCZ Flex EX PC12800 1600MHz 4GB DDR3 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit  for around $100

(2) Radeon HD4770 in crossfire for around $210.

Throw in a PSU around 600W - 800W for around $80

Plenty of room for upgradeability.

That could get you started on an expandible platform.