Windows 7: help picking out a processor

i really want to trade in my phenom 2 x4 3.4ghz black for an i7, heres the i7 im looking at Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601960 i would be looking at a 2600k sandy bridge however, i would like to go with this mobo Sapphire Technology Web Site and plan on going 24gb of ram, any suggestions, am i really downgrading by dropping to 3.2ghz? if not, how much of an improvement do u think i can see from this...

You can not really compare Core frequency of a i7 vs Phenom to get a ideal picture.
They work differently. But No, you will not downgrade.
The core i7 at 3.2 will be faster than a Phenom at 3.4.



Im in the process of buildiong a new machine myself.


It would seem if you already have a 1366 CPU, SB is not that big of a upgrade to justify the cost, for the most part.

If upgrading from something lower than 1366, SB is the best way to go.


The x6 on 1366 does have an advantage in ceratin areas. Such as highly threaded apps, but only if you use those apps alot to justify it. (And its expensive)
But for Quads in general, & everything else you may use it for, SB is just faster, and still can can even hold its own against the x6.




But if building new, I would just build Sandy Bridge TBH.
It will cost about the same, and perform better.

Either way you go though, should be a upgrade.

i like sandy bridge, but i want Sapphire Technology Web Site so i need to go with a 1366, this is probably the most legitimate board i feel i can purchase if i plan on going for 24gb of ram, but the board only supports 1366. i trust the company and not many boards have 3 pciE 2.0 slots and 2 pci slots all in an atx 12in board

Well, I can tell ya you won't be the first in the neighborhood with X58 technology. Personally, I wouldn't even consider it at this point. It would be like buying grandma's old Buick. X78 should be hitting the stands shortly. It's supposed to be more stable and smoking fast with quad memory channels. With the SB-E/1155, it should cruise at 3.6GHz bone stock and 4.3 without breathing hard. X58 is old and a troublesome technology but I promise not to say "I told you so".

Very true.

Ive seen 2 dates for SB-E. They most widespread is saying Nov.14, and I seen one today that claimed Intel said the day after Thanksgiving.

Now, dont take that for 100% fact. But it does seem it should release somewhere in that ballpark.


Also, there was supposed to be a Quad Core version (the i7 3820) startign at around $295.
Last rumor I heard, it was being delayed until Q1 next year, but I cant find anything concrete on that. ATM, just a rumor.

There will also be the Hexacores, starting at $584.


At any count, being as its so close, it may be worth looking into.


Will require a slightly more expensive x79 MOBO, and as carwiz pointed out, Quad channel memory.

Was going to build one myself, but changed my mind on it.

I can understand wanting to use this company, but you really are limiting yourself.

They also have 1155 - is 24GB and two PCI slots a necessity for your needs?

Overall, X58 is an upgrade, but a somewhat limited one.


My mind was finally made up when I ordered a 1155+2500K combo last night. I guess I'm not an enthusiast any more

On a plus side, my sisters getting a great X58 rig... I'm really looking forward to watching my former pride and joy being being turned into something shameful

At least I can wait for the SB-E revisions

TBH, the revisions being imminent was the major drawback for me.
That and the fact, I could pretty much buy a second 570, and SLI on 1155 for the same price as the x79.
I was actually considering building the x79 with the Hexacore. But I do not want to wait untill sometime next year to build.




In the end, I decided on a 1155 myself
Still putting it all together. Just lack the MOBO, CPU, and Cooler at this point which I should be able to order soon.

Cant wait!


Perhaps Im not the enthusiast I used to be myself LOL.

Still have Ivy next year as a upgrade path,

Lol, I console myself with the fact that higher-end mainstream is still pretty damn good and that 99% of the time, I don't need the extra stuff any more.

Ivy revisions are still quite viable.

The only reason I'm ahead of schedule is that my sisters laptop clapped out and it was pretty much the excuse I needed to do a new build. That dormant itch kept resurfacing

i like that, mabey i just missed it, but does it support 6 dimms? do u know cuz ultimatly what makes or brakes the deal is 3 pcie2.0 ports and the 6 mem slots

I think it is difficult to impossible to find a socket 1155 motherboard with 6 memory slots. I'd expect to see 6 slots on a triple channel memory board.