Need Help Picking Between the Intel CPU Sockets

[Twitch22]

Hello everyone!

Getting ready to build my next super-rig & I need help picking which CPU to use. I'm sticking with Intel's line-up, but I can't seem to wade thru all the build guides out there to really reach a consensus. So...

- What are the pros & cons between the 1156 vs. the 1366 socket processors?

- Why are there two versions of I7 CPUs out there, one on 1156 & one on 1366?

- In looking at motherboards, since the 1156 socket is newer, should that be a factor in the decision, ie. more features, versatility, etc?

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!

 

[alyarb]

they have generally the same features but 1366 is architecturally beefier. If you do not plan on ever using more than 1 GPU, just stay with 1156. Everything is a little cheaper, and for all intents and purposes equally fast on 1156.

 

[SunnyD]

1366 has hex-cores coming out in a week or two. Enough said if you're truly building your next super-rig.

 

[betasub]

Hello everyone!
- Why are there two versions of I7 CPUs out there, one on 1156 & one on 1366?

When Intel reveals the answer to this, be sure to let us on ATF know. But I'm sure somewhere in Intel's reason is the word "market" or "marketing".

 

[2March]

1366 has hex-cores coming out in a week or two. Enough said if you're truly building your next super-rig.

And then there are the 32 nm quad core Xeons with 12 Mb cache...

 

[f4phantom2500]

- Why are there two versions of I7 CPUs out there, one on 1156 & one on 1366?

The i7 8xx series is 1156 and 9xx series is 1366. Not exactly sure what the real significance of the 1366 is...honestly I think 1156 with an i5-750 is the way to go, as that's where the majority of Intel's sales will be, and ultimately if they phase out one of the two it'll probably be the 1366 socket.

As far as I'm aware, the only real benefit to the 1366 socket is the better multi-gpu performance. However, although 1366 has an edge there, for me personally whenever a single graphics card is no longer adequate I find it more prudent to just replace it with a newer single card. It'll probably run faster than the crossfire/sli setup of your old card, definitely run cooler, and support all the latest visual goodies that come along with newer cards. Of course, a newer card will be more expensive than the older one, but you can sell the old one to make up some of that, not to mention the lower initial cost of the 1156 system.

In short, from what I can tell, you're essentially paying extra for 1366 for bragging rights. You can easily get the same CPU performance on an 1156 system and unless you MUST run crossfire/sli there is no significant performance gain to be had from a comparable 1366 rig. Besides, any money saved by utilizing the 1156 platform could be put toward a better graphics card, more memory, or what have you.

 

[DrMrLordX]

and ultimately if they phase out one of the two it'll probably be the 1366 socket.

Not likely. LGA1156 will probably EOL first. LGA1366 is getting all the high-end stuff plus desktop Xeons.

As far as I'm aware, the only real benefit to the 1366 socket is the better multi-gpu performance.

LGA1366 features more memory capacity and more memory bandwidth. For overclockers, there's generally more OC headroom and less chance for socket burn.

In short, from what I can tell, you're essentially paying extra for 1366 for bragging rights. You can easily get the same CPU performance on an 1156 system

LGA1366 has faster processors available right now, and when Gulftown launches, there won't be any contest. If the OP is serious about a "super" system, then LGA1366 is the obvious choice.

 

[Shmee]

I agree with drlordx. Gulftown support is awesome! Plus, 1366 boards do tend to have some more features and improvements, such as the additional memory channel/slots, more PCIE lanes, and you can get a good board for not too much now. Memory is cheap enough now that one may as well just get a 6GB kit, though if you really want to save on ram, dual channel 4GB kits will still work.

So, the 1366 is clearly the superior socket, in short. A budget would be good to know though.

 

[mku]

Seems like going the 1366 is a safe way. Regarding north bridge, is it possible to run the i7-930 (1366) in a 1366-based intel 5500 ioh board like the ASUS Z8NA-D6? The 930 and mobo both support QPI 4.8.

 

[mku]

btw, one of the reasons I'm thinking the Z8NA-D6 is that it doesn't require ECC memory. "DDR3 800/1066/1333 Reg DIMM/ Unbuffered DIMM with ECC/ non ECC"... That was my main concern in a 1366-based non-58 board. The 930 ony has 1 QPI link vs the 2 of the Xeons but does that necessarily mean non-functioning or just limited interface?