Thanks a ton. My biggest problem is trying to decide AMD vs Intel. Then once I think I pick one, I have a problem deciding I5 vs I7 and then the different amd chips.
AMD cost less to build but are not as efficient. They produce a lot of heat which is more wear and tear on the processor and also hinders overclocking capabilities.
Intel costs more but are a little more efficient. They produce a lot more heat than their predecessors and sometimes a little less than AMD dipending on which socket you use. They can be pushed to speeds that AMD just can't reach.
If you want the best performance than Intel is the way to go. If you are more concerned about budget than AMD is the way to go.
You really aren't getting your monies worth unless you are overclocking if you go with intel. On stock speeds amd performs very close with intel.
Like others have mentioned more cores help a lot with boxing. An i3 is a dual core processor. The i5 clarkdale is also a dual core processor. If you get one of the two get the i3 as it overclocks easily to the i5 performance.
The i5 Lynnfield is a quadcore and so is all the i7 that are on socket 1156. If you are on a budget get the i5 Lynnfield as it can also be overclocked to be comparable with the i7.
Keep in mind you can get a socket 1156 i7 but that is very different from a socket 1366 i7. The cost will be more for the later and it also supports the hex core processors. Also the 1366 has more bandwidth for pci express. Most people would never notice any difference with the two but for intense gaming you would see the difference.
The 1366 uses more power and runs hotter as well so cooling is even more important and that also raises cost unless of course you don't care for overclocking or longevity.
This is all pretty much overkill for the EQ client. Even if you use an i3 you can multibox fairly well with overclocking. I have multiboxed up to six clients before starting to get any lag no problem on an overclocked celeron before. I did it just to prove it could be done not because I like Celerons or anything lol.
Your video card is very important if you want all around good performance save money from the processor and put it into a video card. You will get more from an i5 quad with a bigger video card than an i7 with a lesser card most of the times depending on your habits. Of course if you can afford it you can't beat a good card and the i7.
