I am a week away from buying a new computer and I have already selected most of my PC parts. Only single part I am not too confident about is the CPU. At the moment my future computer consists of a p5q main board and a Q9550 processor. Video card will be buying a little later.

At first required assembling a computer that was only able to play full HD movies and play some games, but I am sure to assemble a future proof PC. This means that the CPU must be a quad core because I think in the prospect more cores will be obtainable.

I chose the Q9550 because it "feels" like a high end quad base and also performs as one. I started fishing runway reviews to see what performs Q9550 and by mistake found a review that contrast with 9550 phenom II 940.


I thought, everything, even close to 940 customs done until 9550 I noticed that it did. Next check the price in my shop in a local online retailer not far.

Online:

940: 229 euro's
9550: 279 euro's

Local:

940: 265 euro's
9550: 323 euro's -> noticed the price rose, in times of competition? (was 310 euro's yesterday, I'm sure.)

The question I have is,

Should I go with 940 or 9550. Since I am not planning on starting a flame war or Intel / AMD fan boys I just want standard-based responses.

Trust me I have been searching for benchmarks for hours and have not found more then 2 so I would like a few more.

In the ones I have seen the 940 performs equal, a little less, a little better in games .Where will receive 940 100 fps at 9550 UT3 will take 98 or 102 for example. This change, as it has spread to the type of standards is not enough for me to be able to make up my mind, so I really want some opinions.

So, 940 or 9550 for gaming and converting movies?