Looking to buy a new PC. Need recommendations/opinions/info - Hardware & Software

So my current PC is getting too old and faulty, keeps crashing more and more frequently. So right now my starting point would be an i7 or an i5 processor with a GeForce GTX 650-680 probably. I've heard that some older models of GeForce outperform the new ones, anyone have info on that? Also, the processor, would it be wise to spend more money on the i7 so I wouldnt have to buy another one after a year or three? Also, general tips for this type of thing appreciated and things to look out for. Thanks in advance!

1. What's your maximum budget? 2. Unless in SLI, they don't. 550 ti vs 650 ti: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/541?vs=680[/url] 560 vs 660 (non-ti): [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/543?vs=660[/url] 560 ti (non-448 AFAIK) vs 660 ti: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/547?vs=647[/url] 570 vs 670: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/518?vs=598[/url] 580 vs 680: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/517?vs=555[/url] 580s in SLI vs 670: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/584?vs=598[/url] 580s in SLI vs 680 (non-SLI): [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/584?vs=555[/url] 580s in SLI vs 680s in SLI: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/584?vs=585[/url] 580s in SLI vs 690: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/584?vs=586[/url] 590 vs 690: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/516?vs=586[/url] 3. The best form of future-proofing is money in the bank. Going with an i7 would not be wise, as it's meant for primarily heavy photo editing, video editing, and CAD. An i5-3570K would suffice for now (or its Haswell equivalent when it comes out later this year).

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;39471244]1. What's your maximum budget? 2. Unless in SLI, they don't. 3. The best form of future-proofing is money in the bank. Going with an i7 would not be wise, as it's meant for primarily heavy photo editing, video editing, and CAD. An i5-3570K would [b]suffice for now[/b] (or its Haswell equivalent when it comes out later this year).[/QUOTE] Well, you see, that's what I'm worried about, that the Good for now will not last long enough and if I just got the i7 it would let me be content for longer.

It'll last just as long as a 3570K. Provided the rest of the parts perform well, it should last you 2-3 years, maybe 4. Why spend more than you need to on something that'll perform equal to the 3570K?

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;39471292]It'll last just as long as a 3570K. Provided the rest of the parts perform well, it should last you 2-3 years, maybe 4. Why spend more than you need to on something that'll perform equal to the 3570K?[/QUOTE] So you're saying the i7 doesn't have that many advantages over the i5? And last longer I meant for future games and other possibilities(rendering or someshit I donno) so I wouldnt have to revert to lower graphics for newer games too fast.

[QUOTE=RapistSanta;39471323]So you're saying the i7 doesn't have that many advantages over the i5?[/QUOTE] Exactly. If you're going to be editing videos all the time, then the i7 would make a bit more sense.