help picking out a processor

[Thornton]

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...

 

[Wishmaster]

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.

 

[Thornton]

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

 

[carwiz]

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".

 

[Wishmaster]

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.

 

[smarteyeball]

i like sandy bridge, but i want Sapphire Technology Web Site so i need to go with a 1366

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.

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.


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

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

 

[Wishmaster]

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,

 

[smarteyeball]

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

 

[Thornton]

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".

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

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Thornton]

i like sandy bridge, but i want Sapphire Technology Web Site so i need to go with a 1366

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.

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.


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

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

i liked the x58 because it has 3 pcie 2.0, alll 16pin so unles there bullshittin me, i liked it cuz i plan on cross firing 3 6970 or 2 6970s and a new sound card 1 or the o.

 

[Thornton]

OK REVISION EVERYBODY i found this that i think i also may like, however it does not and cannot support 24gb of ram Sapphire Technology Web Site i would like to add that i am not trying to build the best pc ever, just 1 significantly more powerful than my current one. so i was looking at getting a Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600 i would get the 2600k but unfortunatly i am really starting to get strapped on cash here, im ultimately just looking for somthing that has more than enough power, and belive me, my phenom 1 x4 black already does, so if somthing else has more power than it, it cant be doing all that bad

 

[Thornton]

OK REVISION EVERYBODY i found this that i think i also may like, however it does not and cannot support 24gb of ram Sapphire Technology Web Site i would like to add that i am not trying to build the best pc ever, just 1 significantly more powerful than my current one. so i was looking at getting a Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600 i would get the 2600k but unfortunatly i am really starting to get strapped on cash here, im ultimately just looking for somthing that has more than enough power, and belive me, my phenom 1 x4 black already does, so if somthing else has more power than it, it cant be doing all that bad

to be honest i dont want to say im stuck on the x58, but looking back at my last comment it really kinda somes up why i think i want it, i am a 3d designer, ram means a lot to me, the board is farily inexpensive, and ultimatly so is the chip, i probably wont be going on this venture for several months yet still, but i just kindof am needing a little bit more help from the stand point... i know how to make a more powerful computer, but i am not as much of an enthusiast as much of a case and game enthusiast.

 

[Wishmaster]

Do not get to hung up on 2 GPUS that run at x16 eachs, vs SLI/Xfire on a SB setup that run at x8.
The difference is very small. 1-3% at the most.
No GPU currently can even saturate a 2.0 x8 slot.

To put that in perspective, dual cards at true x16 each get 100FPS.
A SB setuop at x8/x8 will run at 97-98FPS at the worst. But the large majority of the time, they are the same.
Even at the worst case scenario, you are not loosing anything that can be noticed.

Also, if SB does become a option, AND, 3 way SLI/Crossfire is a option, youll likely want to look at a board with a NF200 CHIP.
Again, the drop in performance is not huge, and in many cases SB can do just as well or better than x58 for gaming.

Just FYI.
BTW, I was curious about this as well x16/x16 vs x8/x8 and all benchmarks I have seen concluded it did not make a significant difference.



The x58 setup would certainly be a upgrade from what you have now.

I think all most of us are saying, is not that the x58 would not be a upgrade.
Its just that at this point in the game, you could build a machine thats better in most every scenario, and equall to x58 in others for the same cash.


X58 will use tripple channel memory (3 stick sets) 3 or 6 slots available.
P67/Z68 uses Dual Channel (2 stick sets) 2 or 4 slots avaialable
x79 uses Quad Channel (4 stick sets) 4 or 8 slots available

However, I would concern myself more with the amount of memory needed (if thats of utmost importance) rather than Dual, Tripple, or Quad channel.
None of these will be starved for memory bandwidth, even the dual channel setups.

 

[Thornton]

Do not get to hung up on 2 GPUS that run at x16 eachs, vs SLI/Xfire on a SB setup that run at x8.
The difference is very small. 1-3% at the most.
No GPU currently can even saturate a 2.0 x8 slot.

To put that in perspective, dual cards at true x16 each get 100FPS.
A SB setuop at x8/x8 will run at 97-98FPS at the worst. But the large majority of the time, they are the same.
Even at the worst case scenario, you are not loosing anything that can be noticed.

Also, if SB does become a option, AND, 3 way SLI/Crossfire is a option, youll likely want to look at a board with a NF200 CHIP.
Again, the drop in performance is not huge, and in many cases SB can do just as well or better than x58 for gaming.

Just FYI.
BTW, I was curious about this as well x16/x16 vs x8/x8 and all benchmarks I have seen concluded it did not make a significant difference.



The x58 setup would certainly be a upgrade from what you have now.

I think all most of us are saying, is not that the x58 would not be a upgrade.
Its just that at this point in the game, you could build a machine thats better in most every scenario, and equall to x58 in others for the same cash.


X58 will use tripple channel memory (3 stick sets) 3 or 6 slots available.
P67/Z68 uses Dual Channel (2 stick sets) 2 or 4 slots avaialable
x79 uses Quad Channel (4 stick sets) 4 or 8 slots available

However, I would concern myself more with the amount of memory needed (if thats of utmost importance) rather than Dual, Tripple, or Quad channel.
None of these will be starved for memory bandwidth, even the dual channel setups.

im not in to 2 gpus for more power, i think u are mistaken there, i want 2 gpus to run 5 monitors, also, i do 3d graphic design, more gpus and gddr5 ram would meen alot because i use primarily open gl renderers that run soley on the pcs ram and rely on more gpus for acceleration. i dont need more cards cuz im all that woried about power, i can run bf3 at 60fps with all the video settings maxed on my 6970 as is. if i go with the latest greatest, somthing new will come out that i will want just as much 2 months later, i like to have the BEST of the components i NEED and significantly better than average on anything else. for the statment about whether i should get quad chanel triple chanel. i need triple because im buying 16 for my current computer and just want to move the ram over and buy 2 more stick if i can help it

 

[Thornton]

ok, i think if i completly change what im looking for i can better utalize my budget, but as always, i need opinions, heres a new mobo im looking at, it 1155 i7/i5/i3 Newegg.com - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard and i think i would be looking at a Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K. but i still think im cutting it a bit close

 

[ignatzatsonic]

ok, i think if i completly change what im looking for i can better utalize my budget, but as always, i need opinions, heres a new mobo im looking at, it 1155 i7/i5/i3 Newegg.com - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard and i think i would be looking at a Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K. but i still think im cutting it a bit close

How does that board support your idea for 24 GB of RAM and 6 RAM slots, which you said was a deal-breaker in your post number 9???

 

[Thornton]

ok, i think if i completly change what im looking for i can better utalize my budget, but as always, i need opinions, heres a new mobo im looking at, it 1155 i7/i5/i3 Newegg.com - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard and i think i would be looking at a Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K. but i still think im cutting it a bit close

How does that board support your idea for 24 GB of RAM and 6 RAM slots, which you said was a deal-breaker in your post number 9???

no, 6 slots wasnt, 24 gigs does, this board clames to support 32gb i belive... i may be mistaken though, or new egg may be, one or the other

 

[ignatzatsonic]

no, 6 slots wasnt, 24 gigs does, this board clames to support 32gb i belive... i may be mistaken though, or new egg may be, one or the other

Have you checked the prices on 8 GB RAM sticks?

 

[Thornton]

no, 6 slots wasnt, 24 gigs does, this board clames to support 32gb i belive... i may be mistaken though, or new egg may be, one or the other

Have you checked the prices on 8 GB RAM sticks?

i have no plans of going a full 32gb... yet, i will take the 16 imm puting in my curent mobo and move it over. but one thing i did notice, this board supports sli, does that guarentee that it supports crossfire allso if i use a long crossxfire bridge?