Any reason to wait for Sandy Bridge?

[BBMW]

Looking to build a mainstream/gaming capable rig. My pre-SB config would be a core i7/930 based system with a single 470GTX based video card and 6GB of ram.

I have no interest in using a CPU's on board graphics. I'm not going multi-gpu, but want to maintain that capacity.

SB looks to be a better base processor than the i7/930, but has some limitations/annoyances. It looks like it's going to have the same PCI-e issues the current LGA1156 based processor do, at least in the initial releases. Also it only has dual channel memory. I like the triple channel X58 config, not so much for the extra channel, but for the fact that it enable a 6GB setup (4GB seems to be minimal for Win7, and 8GB overkill.) Finally, there the whole issue with restricted overclocking

On the plus side the SB processors seem to be come out at higher clock rates, and being able to do more processing per cycle.

So, is it worth waiting, or just do the i7 930 based system now? Doing the build is not particularly time critical.

 

[Habeed]

I would wait. Keep in mind that if you buy the 930, you'll be paying almost as much for it as it would have cost 2 years ago. (~$250-$300), what the 920 cost 2 years ago and the 920 is only marginally slower at stock than the 930 and is exactly the same part) Intel has been resting high on their monopoly and has not budged prices. If Intel follows the pattern it has been following, when Sandy bridge is released Intel will set a new set of prices that will stay stagnant for a long time until AMD finally starts to catch up.

 

[zerogear]

Maybe that LGA1366 might die? Since I believe Sandy Bridges will be LGA2011 and 1055?

 

[khon]

Depends on how much you need a new computer really. The SB is better (~30% faster for i7-930 vs i7-2600), but is that worth the wait ? That's something only you can answer.

I'm in much the same position, and I've decided that I will wait.

 

[dpodblood]

Thats the real question OP, how soon do you need this PC? If now then you might as well move forward with the 930. If later than you might as well wait and get SB, or take advantage of the 930 price drop.

 

[BBMW]

A big question is pricing. I can get the 930 for $199 (if Microcenter's perma-sale is still going).

What's the 2600 going to go for?

Depends on how much you need a new computer really. The SB is better (~30% faster for i7-930 vs i7-2600), but is that worth the wait ? That's something only you can answer.

I'm in much the same position, and I've decided that I will wait.

 

[khon]

The i7-2600 will be around ~$300, which is the same price as the i7-930 currently, but obviously if you live near a Microcenter and can get it much cheaper, that does significantly change the equation.

 

[ilkhan]

We don't know that microcenter will discount the 2600 like they do the 930. Do they discount any of the s1156 chips that way?
Regardless, the 2600 is going to be significantly faster overall, *IF* you are CPU limited.

 

[Habeed]

The i7-2600 will be around ~$300, which is the same price as the i7-930 currently, but obviously if you live near a Microcenter and can get it much cheaper, that does significantly change the equation.

Unless microcenter gets the same sweetheart deal with Intel for the 2600K that it already gets for the 920/930...

 

[Grooveriding]

What is the computer for ?

Gaming ? If so just get the 930, SB will not bring any performance to a gaming rig with a good video card that an overclocked 930 won't as well. I mainly game on my pc and will be skipping SB, doesn't look to be offering anything highly oced i7s don't already offer.

If you can wait though, might as well, SB will still be the latest and greatest. :thumbsup:

 

[Nintendesert]

Now, we're looking at SB come Jan/Feb time frame correct?

For me I wait, if it is May/June something like that, I'd just go for the i7 and enjoy the performance that offers.

 

[BBMW]

Yes. They had a deal on the i7 870 (and the 860 for a while)

We don't know that microcenter will discount the 2600 like they do the 930. Do they discount any of the s1156 chips that way?
Regardless, the 2600 is going to be significantly faster overall, *IF* you are CPU limited.

 

[zerogear]

Kind of OT, but quick question, will Sandy Bridge be using DDR3 or DDR4(?)

 

[khon]

Kind of OT, but quick question, will Sandy Bridge be using DDR3 or DDR4(?)

DDR3.

Depending on the chipset you choose it'll either support up to DDR3-1333 (H67) or DDR-2133 (P67).