Is it wise to upgrade to i7 now?

[PCJake]

I'd like to upgrade my CPU/Motherboard/RAM sometime this summer, and if I did I would probably go with an Asus P6X58D Premium motherboard, a Core i7 930, and a Corsair Dominator 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 set. The upgrade would be mostly for fun (lotsa overclocking), but I don't want to waste my money if there is a new Intel processor that I really should be holding out for (like Sandy Bridge). If I got the i7 my goal would be to squeeze as much performance out of it as possible (and I'm open to learning about water cooling).

It just seems like there is always something right around the corner that will make you feel guilty about upgrading right now. I just want your honest opinion; would upgrading to i7/X58/DDR3 in the next couple of months be reasonable?

 

[Phynaz]

Sandy is a year away. Do you want to wait that long?

 

[MJinZ]

I would rather get a Phenom II system since you already have DDR2 memory.

That's assuming you want some FPS improvements right now, because your Q chip is already decent.

Motherboard + Phenom II for a good upgrade.

Socket 1366 may not have any new CPUs available for it in the future.

 

[PCJake]

I would rather get a Phenom II system since you already have DDR2 memory.

That's assuming you want some FPS improvements right now, because your Q chip is already decent.

Motherboard + Phenom II for a good upgrade.

Socket 1366 may not have any new CPUs available for it in the future.

Eh, I've always been an Intel fan. I like to think that I'm still open-minded about it (open-minded enough to research both), but I just can't see myself making the switch to AMD.

Sandy is a year away. Do you want to wait that long?

No.

 

[Phynaz]

Phenom II would be sideways from a Q6600, not an upgrade.

 

[Phynaz]

Jake, you just answered your own question.

Get the 930 and be happy. You will even be able to skip the first SB generation.

 

[PCJake]

Jake, you just answered your own question.

Get the 930 and be happy. You will even be able to skip the first SB generation.

Right you are.

 

[M1A]

do it, My son got a 930 and so far so good. at 4.0 on air in the first hour. Just getting some run time on before I see what it will max out at.
Its not much different than my old 8400 at 4.2 though in the stuff I ran so far,
He can run MW2 and this thing will not even up the multiplier if I have stepping on. HaHaHa
Thats cool, well sort of if its working correctly. I will have to ask around if others seen that.
I say go for it but I am sticking with my 8400 for now.

 

[PCJake]

do it, My son got a 930 and so far so good. at 4.0 on air in the first hour. Just getting some run time on before I see what it will max out at.
Its not much different than my old 8400 at 4.2 though in the stuff I ran so far,
He can run MW2 and this thing will not even up the multiplier if I have stepping on. HaHaHa
Thats cool, well sort of if its working correctly. I will have to ask around if others seen that.
I say go for it but I am sticking with my 8400 for now.

That's pretty cool, getting 4.0+ would be awesome. I'm going to start researching water cooling, that's always something I've thought would be fun.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

It just seems like there is always something right around the corner

Intel calls this "Tick" "Tock" and it's on a schedule. So given the prices haven't dropped much since the initial i7 release and there will be something better than Sandy Bridge, the choice is up to you.

 

[PCJake]

On second thought, I don't see any reason to wait a couple of months. I've got the money now and I doubt the parts I want will get any cheaper. I think I'll get the Asus P6X58D-E motherboard instead of the older, more expensive version that I mentioned in my original post. All I have to do now is figure out a good cooling solution. Anyone have any suggestions (The Corsair H50 looks cool, has anyone here used it)?

 

[Nemesis 1]

Sure it is Get 930 now and next year Buy a cheaper 6 core its a great up grade path. Sandy is 7 months away . But you still have the 6 core upgrade path

 

[PCJake]

Sure it is Get 930 now and next year Buy a cheaper 6 core its a great up grade path. Sandy is 7 months away . But you still have the 6 core upgrade path

Good point, I could see myself going the six-core route someday.

 

[Axon]

If you've got the cash, a 1366 i7 platform is worth it, though the difference between a high-end 775 chip and the i7 930 isn't incredibly obvious at first blush. For example, while my old E8500 remains strong, I do see a difference between it and my i7 920, particularly in multi-threaded apps and encoding apps. Gaming eh, if you put the same GPU in both, at least for what I play, I couldn't tell that much of a difference. So while it will be an upgrade for you on encoding apps and such, gaming won't be as much of a quantum leap.

However, the X58 platform is robust and probably one of the better chipsets to come along in years. Crossfire and SLI support? Tri-Channel RAM? Yes please.

As to cooling: I use a Prolimatech Megahalem comboed with a 1700 RPM Noise Blocker fan (worth the premium, IMO) and I love it. The Corsair H50 is a nice product but can be a little tricky to install, and you need to be precise with the case's overall airflow positioning. Otherwise, it's a good little cooling solution.

 

[M1A]

Funny you chose that Asus P6X58D-E motherboard as it is the exact one I picked and like it. Only x58 board I have used but it works good.
Be sure to get some good cooling if you OC it. And some good ram.

 

[gaidensensei]

Remember that by the time you wait for next year, your current processors will drop in value once they are out. It's always been the way of life.
If you don't want to feel like that then plan accordingly on your purchases. It's a never-ending step ladder.

 

[classy]

Phenom II would be sideways from a Q6600, not an upgrade.

A Phenom II will totally blow out a Q6600.

These are just some compare benches on Anandtech, between a Q660 and a 955 which you can pick up for about $150.

http://anandtech.com/bench/Product/53?vs=88

 

[Sylvanas]

On second thought, I don't see any reason to wait a couple of months. I've got the money now and I doubt the parts I want will get any cheaper. I think I'll get the Asus P6X58D-E motherboard instead of the older, more expensive version that I mentioned in my original post. All I have to do now is figure out a good cooling solution. Anyone have any suggestions (The Corsair H50 looks cool, has anyone here used it)?

Lesson number 1: Prebuilt watercooling kits are rubbish.
Lesson number 2: Head over to the Cases and Cooling forum and we'll get you started on real watercooling

 

[toyota]

A Phenom II will totally blow out a Q6600.

These are just some compare benches on Anandtech, between a Q660 and a 955 which you can pick up for about $150.

http://anandtech.com/bench/Product/53?vs=88

OPs Q6600 is at 3.33 which would beat the stock 955 overall. sure you could oc the 955 but the Q6600 is tapped out at 3.33 either. in other words if you overclocked both cpus to their realistic maximums the 955 and Q6600 would be about even. so Phynaz was right because the cpus are close enough to be considered just a sidegrade.

 

[manimal]

Intel calls this "Tick" "Tock" and it's on a schedule. So given the prices haven't dropped much since the initial i7 release and there will be something better than Sandy Bridge, the choice is up to you.

I picture intel execs sitting around drinking jack daniels in a tub with glitter all over their faces....


ok bad Kesha joke....nothing to see here move along...

 

[Gikaseixas]

OPs Q6600 is at 3.33 which would beat the stock 955 overall. sure you could oc the 955 but the Q6600 is tapped out at 3.33 either. in other words if you overclocked both cpus to their realistic maximums the 955 and Q6600 would be about even. so Phynaz was right because the cpus are close enough to be considered just a sidegrade.

Since OP has DDR2 he could also consider grabbing a Cheap 790GX board and a AMD X6 1055T for $200 and overclock it to 4.0 as most people are getting there relatively easy. Total system upgrade could be less than USD 300 and still rival the performance of a i7 system.

 

[gaidensensei]

You can slap together an i7 system for $300 if you have the ddr3. I just did this a few weeks ago for the heck of attempting it.

 

[Stefan Payne]

I just want your honest opinion; would upgrading to i7/X58/DDR3 in the next couple of months be reasonable?

No, 'cause it's too expansive and the successor of the LGA1366 (and 1156) plattforms are not that far away...

 

[classy]

I purchased a 920 but then changed my mind, so I sold it. Settled on a 1055T. There are so many legit arguments for and against building an I7. Ultimately for me I just couldn't get past paying premium for an I7 system and the platform has no future. When the AMD X6 numbers starting leaking I decided to go that route and save some money with the hopes bulldozer will further increase my investment.

I used to upgrade every 18 months, but now every 3 years. And for most of us gamers, a good video card with any of these systems will provide good to top flight gaming. So I lose some performance right now, but looks like I'll gain added cpu power with bulldozer. Unless you are benching, I doubt 99.5% of all folks will ever notice a difference with any of these newer platforms.

So far looks like I'll save about $150-200. And this graph also reinforced my mind, http://www.guru3d.com/article/phenom-ii-x6-1055t-1090t-review/18. I would not be surprised over the next 12 months to see many games as well as patches taken advantage of multiple core processors. And the X6 looked pretty darn good there. But the X58 and 1156 are top notch, but with little chance of any newer future cpu support to me was a big turn off.

 

[toyota]

I purchased a 920 but then changed my mind, so I sold it. Settled on a 1055T. There are so many legit arguments for and against building an I7. Ultimately for me I just couldn't get past paying premium for an I7 system and the platform has no future. When the AMD X6 numbers starting leaking I decided to go that route and save some money with the hopes bulldozer will further increase my investment.

I used to upgrade every 18 months, but now every 3 years. And for most of us gamers, a good video card with any of these systems will provide good to top flight gaming. So I lose some performance right now, but looks like I'll gain added cpu power with bulldozer. Unless you are benching, I doubt 99.5% of all folks will ever notice a difference with any of these newer platforms.

So far looks like I'll save about $150-200. And this graph also reinforced my mind, http://www.guru3d.com/article/phenom-ii-x6-1055t-1090t-review/18. I would not be surprised over the next 12 months to see many games as well as patches taken advantage of multiple core processors. And the X6 looked pretty darn good there. But the X58 and 1156 are top notch, but with little chance of any newer future cpu support to me was a big turn off.

yeah but the i7 is the better cpu for high end gpu setups now and going forward. your X6 is going to show its weaknesses with more gpu power. in other words next year when when people are running 6870 cards your cpus architecture would clearly limit the potential of that much gpu power compared of the i7. Thuban is based off old architecture and just doesnt scale as well as even the i5 750 when pushing tons of gpu power.