"Holdover" system build...

[Fun Guy]

Thinking about building my new system now, as I am tired of waiting.

I'm looking at getting a Z68 MB with a i3-2105 or 2120 (or maybe even a 35w 2120T to use later in a SFF setup) to hold me over until we start seeing IB results. Then I can drop in an IB CPU when they start showing results.

Though those CPUs are only dual-core, they are semi-low power (65w & 35w), lower in price than a 2500K, and they do have hyperthreading if need be. This way, I can build my system now while I have the time and energy.

Here is the comparo of those i3 CPUs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001157%2040000343&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=343|19-115-090^19-115-090-TS%2C19-115-094^19-115-094-TS%2C19-115-077^19-115-077-TS

Thoughts?

 

[Zap]

Unless you know you will be severely PSU or cooling limited, don't bother getting the low voltage CPUs.

I would say get the cheapest one. Do you live near a Micro Center? They have the 2100 for $99. Also, other places often have slightly lower prices than Newegg. For instance eWiz/SuperBiiz often has $10 or $15 off coupons.

 

[Wizlem]

Ivy bridge isn't going to be a huge leap forward from anything you can get now. If you can't wait 2 months or so for IB then just get a 2500k now cause ivy bridge isn't bringing anything significantly better for similar money.

The lineup detailed here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5166/ivy-bridge-overview

looks like it will probably fall into the same price points for current 1155 offerings and the only benefit will be 18w lower tdp and better graphics. I highly doubt overclocking is going to be so much better that it will make a difference to most people.

 

[dma0991]

If you will eventually get IB, the much cheaper Pentium G620 is a better alternative. I just built a rig for my parents with the G620 and I have to say that it is well worth it. You don't lose a whole lot of performance and it is pretty snappy I might add.

 

[Arachnotronic]

Or just buy a 2600K and call it a day?

 

[gramboh]

IB is rumoured to be launching 6 weeks from this coming Monday, I would just wait unless you truly have a use for the slower CPU. Low voltage isn't necessary in ITX because the chip has active cooling and will be idle most of the time, unless you plan to encode/transcode a lot.

 

[Denithor]

I thought IB got delayed until June?

 

[bononos]

Thinking about building my new system now, as I am tired of waiting.

I'm looking at getting a Z68 MB with a i3-2105 or 2120 (or maybe even a 35w 2120T to use later in a SFF setup) to hold me over until we start seeing IB results. Then I can drop in an IB CPU when they start showing results.

...... Thoughts?

If you're current system is very old and you're needs aren't that heavy the 2100 is a good choice. Its a very good gaming cpu for the price.
But if you want/need something at the mid/high end then you might be better off with a 2500/2600 since the IB isn't some revolutionary design like the others before me have suggested.

 

[taltamir]

Ivy bridge isn't going to be a huge leap forward from anything you can get now.

Ivy bridge is going to be a huge leap forward, in power consumption. Combining both the die shrink and trigate transistors it has the potential to be the biggest single generation improvement in performance per watt in CPU history. Which will be completely meaningless to desktops and extremely valuable for laptops and datacenters.

For a desktop build though there is no reason to wait.