Help me decide. P55 or X58 rig.

If you're going to get multiple GPUs, then get the X58/i7 rig.

If you're just going to game with a single GPU, get the P55/i5 rig.

Both will perform pretty much the same in games, until you add in more GPUs, where the X58 platform really shines.

the i5 build is less expensive for close to the performance of the more expensive i7 build. personally, i think you will be happy with the results with either build. it comes down to how much money you want to invest in this.

i5 since u are only gaming.

Lol everyone is saying I5 and the poll is a tie. Damn.

Either will do what you need easily. The difference comes down to overclocking ability. From what i've seen, the 920's overclock easier than the i5's and with less volts. I've seen several people with i5's that have a hard time getting up to and passed 4.0ghz. On the 920's 4.0ghz seems like a very common thing and even more is possible with reasonable vcore and cooling.

The x58 seems like it has better upgrade paths, even though I bet an i9 will be incredibly expensive. Why get an i5 if you plan on upgrading? What's the upgrade path going to lead towards, more i7's?

Of course, this comes at a price and if you are willing to pay more for the x58, then go for it.

Damn the choices are killing me.

Well, to put it this way.. if you're going to game, go with i5 (Frys has had i5 chips and P55 boards for $200 in a combo), but if you render go i7. But since you're just going to game i5 would be your best bet.
The i5 chips overclock higher than i7 anyway so its not like you're getting a slouch. Just dont expect any monster numbers compared to a phenom II setup. The only thing intel chips are really much better at is benching.

Since you already have your 2x2gb of DDR3 making the switch to i5 would be even easier.

I can get another phenom C3 and try my luck at that again. But I am afraid I will get another dud cpu.

What was the highest you could get your C3 stable?

Nothing. It was never stable at any speeds.

i7 all the way. The i5 is really overrated. It's just a C2Q with a different name and badge.

Did you try another board or cpu in that board you had. Sounds like bios are not up to date. If it is the C3 that's the problem RMA it and get a good one. that could be a 4.0 chip who nos if something else is bad or bios are not right.

I doubt its my board. I tried my M4A79-T deluxe then I got this gigabyte board and the problem is still there. When I run prime the whole PC will freeze and go on a white screen with green lines. At any speeds on both those boards. Bios's are up to date.

Try a different chip?
But for some reason I dont think the chip is at fault. You wouldn't really be able to post if the chip was bad or going bad. have you tried different ram, etc?

P55 unless you want two GPU's.

I would say i5 would be the better route to take, gaming will be just fine not to mention a lot cheaper

x58/i7 is just if your wanting to go multiple gpus, and/or better overclocking, not to mention the budget for it

Get the i5 it tie's and sometime's beat's the i7 920 for a lot less money plus RAM is much cheaper..Don't let multiple gpu's be your deciding factor.There is hardly any difference even in tri and quad with 5870's.