Phenom X2 550 unlocked VS i7 920

Hi all, I'd like to know what you're thinking about this. I'm looking for a new build and I'm not going on the cheap but I'm not willing to break the bank too. So, I've figured out that the Phenom II X2 550 was a heck of a good deal because I could surely unlock its two core and get a 955 for half the price. I was going for a DFI LP DK 790FX-M3H5 and 2x2 Gigs of OCZ Reaper 1600Mhz. Newegg.ca sub-total is 387$ (I'd may add 20$ and go for the GA-MA790FXT-UD5H, maybe)

But, seeing the bench and all the hype over the i7, I've been considering jumping the fence and go with i7 920 build. I'd go with GA-EX58-UD3R and a set of 3x2Gig of GSkill 1600Mhz. This board is nice because I could SLI my 9800GTX+ too. But, newegg.ca subtotal is 669$

Now, I know both are well more powerfull that my current machine (Opty 180 on A8N-SLI DX) and I'll see a great difference. But is the i7 worth 75% more (let's say that the 550 will unlock and be stable)? I know I could run the 550 at 3.7Ghz easily, but the 920 can surely overclock well too. I've overclock many Core 2 at the time (I used to work in a computer store), reaching easily 3.8Ghz with a Q9450, but I still haven't had a hand on i7 build.

What you think, how long will those two build last and their upgradability? AM3 socket will surely be there for a while, as for the LGA1366, but I suspect AMD will have to change sooner than Intel. But Intel will surely release CPU for this socket one day that won't be compatible with this motherboard (remember FSB800 to 1066 to 1333, got lots of clients that couldn't upgrade their cpu). I'd like my machine to last another 3-4 years, with an upgrade in 1.5 years (CPU, GPU, more RAM). So, what's better

Well, I plan mostly on average gaming (15h+/week), some techie stuff like working with VMs, compiling, etc... and the usual surffing/chatting/music playing people do.

I'm not seeking for the high end bomb, but I do like to play at full detail at high FPS on my 20" (1680x1050). I'd like to play GTA4 and Crysis, but for now my machine will crawl terribly.

I currently have EVGA 9800GTX+ SC 512MB, which is, for now enough to be bottlenecked by my CPU. It is well enough for COD4, L4D and C&C3. I plan on keeping it for a while, then either upgrade for an ATI 5800 when it comes out and keeping it for PhysX. Or I could grab another 9800GTX+ and SLI them if I get a SLI board. It would be totally overkill for my resolution for current games, but it may change as new games get out.

Whoah, you want from qx9650 to 920? that's like upgrading your car for the new year model... I can't say it's not faster but heck I'd already be happy with the qx9650! You say you can really feel the difference... is this that real faster? I mean, with the 280$ I'd be saving on the CPU I could get a SSD that surely would do a greater difference than this and I/O IS the slowest part of the system. I'm sure you changed other thing than just your CPU/motherboard when you upgraded, didn't you?

[EDIT]
Intel wont be dropping LGA1366, it's just releasing another socket for cheaper CPU, which is IMHO a stupid decision, boosting manufacturing cost of both motherboard makers and CPU founders (just look at what happened to Socket 754 or socket F).

Actually I'm not getting a complete system, just the CPU/motherboard/memory trio. My graphic card is still good as is my PSU (600W OCZ StealthXtreme) and my hard drive WD5000AAKS. And I've got a Antec 900 to house all this. And I'm into overclocking, as long as it doesn't eat to much lifespan of my components.
[/EDIT]
Edited by werfu - 7/9/09 at 2:01pm