Decision is Killing Me

[Panthur]

Specs are somewhat close...I have read the differences but need help deciding...I surf, game, and do some hd video editing....thanks

 

[RussianSensation]

I vote 920 D0 or i7 860. The performance difference is <10% between the 860 and 950/870 but for more than double the price.

Honestly buy more RAM, Intel Gen 2 SSD, get a 5870, but I can't in the world justify spending $550-570 on a 2.93-3.06ghz processor over a 2.8ghz processor for $230-$290.

 

[nyker96]

if you wanna buy 860/870 I'd rather get the full blown i7 920 then overclock it. overall going i7 line you get the option of going 6core later which 1156 can't give ya. costwise i7 920s are the best value when overclocked even considering i7 boards cost a bit more than i5s. i5s only make sense if you just want a cutdown version of i7 9xx series cpu. of course I'm talking value and future upgradability here. i7 920 get ya both.

 

[AdamK47]

920 D0.

It's the ONLY logical path.

 

[v8envy]

<clippy>It looks like you're reluctant to overclock.</clippy>

If you're not going to overclock then the 870 is your clear choice. Lower power usage, higher single core turbo mode. You'll be happy with either processor, but the 870 is likely best for your needs.

If you ARE going to overclock, then D0 920 was my choice but nobody would fault you for choosing the 860 either. Read the "which processor is best for me" thread to determine whether an easier overclock+more PCIe lanes+more RAM slots or lower power consumption are more important to you.

 

[Pneumothorax]

As above posters have said, if you're overclocking it's a wash between the 860/920. I have both platforms and I've found the 920 way easier to o/c than the 860. Also, the 860 will draw about the same amount of power as the 920 when overclocked. At least in my experience, as my D0 920 o/c to 3.8 at stock voltage, whilst the 860 required 1.35 to reach the same. YMMV Both are cooled by the megahelems and the 860 runs hotter at 3.8 on prime than my 920.

 

[aigomorla]

950 vs 860??

LOL... this isnt even a fair comparison...

OP your asking us whats better.. the lexus GS series.. (950)
or a toyota camry.... (860)

The lexus ES series would be the 920 that everyone is pointing out to.

 

[Panthur]

Overclocking wasn't in the plans.....just wanted something fast that was just stock.I normally don't do upgrades...usually replace entire system every 36 months. I was thinking 870 but now am leaning again towards the 950.

 

[aigomorla]

920 and learn to overclock.

With the offset from the 920 over the 950... get a tier 1 x58 board.

If your a gamer... use the price offset and grab a second GPU instead for Multi GPU.

You will get the best of both worlds.

 

[Pneumothorax]

Please don't give Intel the extra uneessary cash. The 920/860 is almost guaranteed o/c that exceeds the speeds of the 870/950.
In fact, if you want to feel good about it, donate the extra cash to charity rather than Intel.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Pneumothorax

In fact, if you want to feel good about it, donate the extra cash to charity rather than Intel.

no use it for a better classed board.

Or on a second GPU.

 

[Shmee]

good comments, I like the lexus-toyota analogy. Would the 975 be the LS 600h? Or would that be gulftown?

I agree completely with aigomorla. A 920/860 is all you need. At stock, the performance difference is pretty negligible for the price increase of the next tier, but once OCing, they generally have pretty similar terminal frequencies, depending on the luck of the batch. Any D0 should do 4.2 with a good cooler, at least that is my finding with my chip. Most 860's should max around that or abit above. I have heard of people getting 4.3 on 860, and 4.5 on 920's. This is doable on high end air.

Even if not overclocking, the 860 should be more than fine. No need to nearly double the price for an 870 just for an extra multi or so. Same with the 950.

Seeing as you probably have a relatively larger budget, I would get a good board, a good PSU, and 1-2 5870's.

And as for cars, what do yall think of the new Mercedes E class?

 

[Nemesis 1]

Well I won't say which to buy. I would remind you tho . That M/B with Hydra are ready to appear . Don't buy anything till you see what these M/B bring to the table.
My brother wants a to build his first PC if I help him . We are going to look very hard at the Clarkdale 3.73. with turbo . These things will run forever at 4.5 ghz with turbo. add the Hydra chip on a M/B and things could get real exciting. 4.5 ghz turbo Hydra running 2 5850s and 4 threads all wrapped into a Nemesis 1 watercooled case . This will be the cheapest one anyones got one from me for . When its done $7500.

Why would he go for a clarkdale over a 920. Because I have one and he has seen what it can do . Enough said.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Shmee

And as for cars, what do yall think of the new Mercedes E class?

It's a nice car. I am not a huge fan of the rear lights though (reminds of of a lexus or something japanese). The interior quality is much improved but the interior styling is more old school if that's your thing. Considering E class sedan never holds value, the 2 door E class coupe is the clear choice over the sedan depreciation wise (and looks more modern/better imo). The new 2 door E class coupe is the proper touring benz that people love driving on highway; plus you get all the comfort in the city. But it is no M3.

If I was considering the sedan, then I would have to wait until new 5 series and new A6 are launched next year to see what they bring to the table.

 

[Ben90]

Originally posted by: Nemesis 1
Why would he go for a clarkdale over a 920. Because I have one and he has seen what it can do . Enough said.

My grandma wants a Athlon x64 6000+, because I have one and she has seen what it can do . Enough said.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Nemesis 1

Why would he go for a clarkdale over a 920. Because I have one and he has seen what it can do . Enough said.

and i'll show u what gulftown will do in a few days.

Which will probably make your clarkdale looks small. :X

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: Nemesis 1

Why would he go for a clarkdale over a 920. Because I have one and he has seen what it can do . Enough said.

and i'll show u what gulftown will do in a few days.

Which will probably make your clarkdale looks small. :X

I cant imagine it's anything other than a linear increase in apps that can execute 6 threads.

4 is still pushing it for everything but rendering and encoding video; 6 is pushing ever so close to that same edge of frivolous purchases.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
6 is pushing ever so close to that same edge of frivolous purchases.

*looking up wiki.... 404 not found..*

LOL...

 

[HIO]

Originally posted by: Pneumothorax
As above posters have said, if you're overclocking it's a wash between the 860/920. I have both platforms and I've found the 920 way easier to o/c than the 860. Also, the 860 will draw about the same amount of power as the 920 when overclocked. At least in my experience, as my D0 920 o/c to 3.8 at stock voltage, whilst the 860 required 1.35 to reach the same. YMMV Both are cooled by the megahelems and the 860 runs hotter at 3.8 on prime than my 920.

If what you say is true then what you said is meaningful and helpful to me especially from someone who has both chips and is overclocking, and I also understand the concept of your mileage will vary. Sure I want to be sustainably green as possible but you said it all,... almost. Do you mine telling me what boards you are using with both the 860 and the 920 respectively?? Thanks!

Anyone else with some real world comparative analysis especially with power consumption and overclocking these two fine CPUs?

 

[Nemesis 1]

Originally posted by: Ben90

Originally posted by: Nemesis 1
Why would he go for a clarkdale over a 920. Because I have one and he has seen what it can do . Enough said.

My grandma wants a Athlon x64 6000+, because I have one and she has seen what it can do . Enough said.

Your grandma and I are about same age . LOL. and she right. For internet use I still use a p4c 3.2 ghz. Its all I require for the net .

But gaming and pushing water to its limits requires much more. The Clardale Chip is a legend already for me . Wait a little longer and it will be a legend in its own time . Its that good. Of course it won't dominate a 6 core cpu . But it doesn't have to . To be GREAT . Enough said!

 

[GLeeM]

Originally posted by: Panthur
Overclocking wasn't in the plans.....just wanted something fast that was just stock.

You would at least under-volt vcore by a little bit, right?

Once in the BIOS you might as well OC the i7 920 D0 to at least the speed of the 950 (3.06GHz)!