Benefit of i860 over i920

[RaistlinZ]

For a new system build, what is the benefit of the i860 over the i920? I want my new system to last for the next 2-3 years. Does the i920 offer a more future-proof feature set? Their prices/performance sim about the same.

 

[lopri]

Mosfet temps < 60C for one.

 

[Markfw]

Mine are low with my 920.....

As for the ops question, 920 (socket 1366) offers ability to upgrade to gulftown when its out (6 cores) and maybe later 8 ????

socket 1056 is only going to 4 I think.

 

[RussianSensation]

I don't think either platform is futureproof but here is another perspective. With new Asus and Gigabyte boards on the horizon, socket 1156 is at least going to get USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0.
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/17846

I am not sure when the next wave of 1366 mobos will arrive?

If you get 4GBs of Ram now (which is enough), in 2-3 years you can pick up another 8GBs (4GBx2) for a total of 12, but getting 6GBs now is just throwing $ away. However, if you do require a lot of Ram now, then you shouldn't even be considering socket 1156.

As far as upgrading to a 6-core Gulftown goes, it will cost $999+.

In 2-3 years you will want Sandy Bridge/Bulldozer, PCIexpress 3.0.

You can't go wrong with either 920 or 860. For overclocking, 920 is a safer bet. If you intend to run 2 powerful GPUs in CF, then 920 again is better. But I do not believe either platform can be called "futureproof".

Imo, the 2 biggest pet peeves for socket 1156 are the ridiculous amount of VTT/IMC voltage required to get Lynnfields above 4.0ghz and the fact that the memory DIMM slots are very close to the cpu heatsink due to current mobo design.

 

[lopri]

To be blunt, you'll be satisfied with either. From what I see in the forum, 920 owners seem to advocate 920, and 860/750 owners seem to advocate.., well, 860/750. That's kind of typical but surely a good sign.

 

[Hyperlite]

To be blunt, you'll be satisfied with either. From what I see in the forum, 920 owners seem to advocate 920, and 860/750 owners seem to advocate.., well, 860/750. That's kind of typical but surely a good sign.

:thumbsup;

 

[Pneumothorax]

I don't think either platform is futureproof but here is another perspective. With new Asus and Gigabyte boards on the horizon, socket 1156 is at least going to get USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0.
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/17846
My issue with these "new" motherboards is that they rely on 3rd party USB/SATA 3 controllers, which on Anand's test barely showed an advantage over the built-in Intel 2.0 SATA. I'm waiting until an Intel chipset controller comes out.
I am not sure when the next wave of 1366 mobos will arrive?

If you get 4GBs of Ram now (which is enough), in 2-3 years you can pick up another 8GBs (4GBx2) for a total of 12, but getting 6GBs now is just throwing $ away. However, if you do require a lot of Ram now, then you shouldn't even be considering socket 1156.

As far as upgrading to a 6-core Gulftown goes, it will cost $999+.

In 2-3 years you will want Sandy Bridge/Bulldozer, PCIexpress 3.0.

You can't go wrong with either 920 or 860. For overclocking, 920 is a safer bet. If you intend to run 2 powerful GPUs in CF, then 920 again is better. But I do not believe either platform can be called "futureproof".

Imo, the 2 biggest pet peeves for socket 1156 are the ridiculous amount of VTT/IMC voltage required to get Lynnfields above 4.0ghz and the fact that the memory DIMM slots are very close to the cpu heatsink due to current mobo design.

I have both platforms and this has been my experience too. The 920 has been a far easier overclocker. The high voltage required to get my 860 up to 920 speeds pretty much negates 860's power saving advantages.

 

[MrK6]

I have both platforms and this has been my experience too. The 920 has been a far easier overclocker. The high voltage required to get my 860 up to 920 speeds pretty much negates 860's power saving advantages.

By all reports I've read, it's still ~50W less under load. For me, I was deciding between the i5 750 and the i7 920 - the 750 was a clear winner for me. The 860 vs. the 920 is a tougher call: I'd probably get the 920 unless the power savings/heat reduction is that crucial.

 

[pjkenned]

With new Asus and Gigabyte boards on the horizon, socket 1156 is at least going to get USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0.

Gigabyte's X58 with SATA 3 and USB 3.0 was on tweaktown a bit ago. The X58 of course has more PCIe lanes to feed SATA/USB controllers until native chipset support arrives.

Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. Living near a Microcenter, the i7 920 is cheaper, but motherboards are more expensive making either platform pretty close.

One other thing to consider is how much memory you need. I usually have lots of apps going + XP mode virtual machine in Win 7 these days (2GB of ram for the VM), and on the 920 with 12GB of ram, I'm starting to see where 8GB would constrain me.