Intel core i7 980x or the Amd phenom II X6 1090T ( read below)?

The i7 is a far better processor, as you say it's much more expensive. The AMD Phemom II X6 is similar in capability to the Core i7 920. If you're looking for gaming performance, as opposed to number crunching/media encoding/weather forcasting ability, etc then you'd be better to get the AMD chip and spend the difference on your graphics card(s). The Phemom II X6 is more than capable of supplying the latest triple SLI or Crossfire card setup with all the data that they can use. However if money is no object then the six core i7 is a very nice chip.