Sandy or Ivy Bridge

I've been thinking of making a new rig (giving away current rig) but I'm not sure whether I should wait for the Intel Ivy Bridge processors to come out, or use the Sandy Bridge ones right now. What's appealing to me about Ivy Bridge is the PCI Express 3.0 support, something I won't have if I stick to the current gen motherboards. But Ivy only comes out in 2012, and I was hoping to assemble my computer this fall in time for BF3, Rage etc.

What do you guys think? Are we gonna be seeing PCI Express gen3 supported cards anytime soon? Any advice appreciated!

Well Ivy Birgde itself wont support PCI-E 3.0. That would be defined by the motherboard chipset. As it stands P67,H67 and Z68 all have PCI-E 2.0. I think only socket 2011 will have PCI-E 3.0 to begin with and Ivy Bridge is for 1155.

http://geekgold.com/2011/02/27/what-is-intel-ivy-bridge-and-lga-2011/

Anyway, your current system should handle modern games fine so I suggest waiting.

Ivy Bridge wont be out until early next year, so a fall build seems unlikely.

PCI 2.0 is not hindered at all until you have three very high end cards in SLI. I wouldn't even consider PCI 3.0 as a factor for upgrading.

http://geekgold.com/2011/02/27/what-is-intel-ivy-bridge-and-lga-2011/

Smoke89

Thanks for the info. I think I will go ahead with a Sandy Bridge build. I hadn't even thought about how expensive the new RAM, motherboard etc. will be on release.

Well Ivy Birgde itself wont support PCI-E 3.0. That would be defined by the motherboard chipset. As it stands P67,H67 and Z68 all have PCI-E 2.0. I think only socket 2011 will have PCI-E 3.0 to begin with and Ivy Bridge is for 1155.

Anyway, your current system should handle modern games fine so I suggest waiting.

Daytona_178

I would keep it if I could, but I'm moving to another state for grad school and decided to leave my PC behind with family.

Oh I didn't know that complete PCI Express 3 support comes only with the 2011 socket. Sandy Bridge it is then. So is Z68 the best chipset currently? If I'm building I'll consider the three chipsets you suggested.

Ivy Bridge wont be out until early next year, so a fall build seems unlikely.

PCI 2.0 is not hindered at all until you have three very high end cards in SLI. I wouldn't even consider PCI 3.0 as a factor for upgrading.

XaosII

Yeah, you're right. After 3.0 comes out with the 2011 socket, we have to wait for cards to be supported and prices to go down. Don't think I can wait that long!

Honestly I dont think there will be that big of a difference between Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge, it's only a die shrink after all. I would expect potentially higher overclocks and lower voltage.

Ivy Bridge wont be out until early next year, so a fall build seems unlikely.

PCI 2.0 is not hindered at all until you have three very high end cards in SLI. I wouldn't even consider PCI 3.0 as a factor for upgrading.

XaosII

Honestly I dont think there will be that big of a difference between Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge, it's only a die shrink after all. I would expect potentially higher overclocks and lower voltage.

demonic_85

I don't know how much higher in overclocking they can get though. Sandy Bridge is already overclocking easily at 5Ghz and up depending on the chip and cooling obviously. Unless you're using DICE or LN2 for record-breaking scores, overclocking between Sandy and Ivy shouldn't be that much different in performance imo. (Pretty much what you said)

But then again, we really don't know - yet, so I know I could be wrong. ;)

[QUOTE="demonic_85"]

Honestly I dont think there will be that big of a difference between Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge, it's only a die shrink after all. I would expect potentially higher overclocks and lower voltage.

nightz2k

I don't know how much higher in overclocking they can get though. Sandy Bridge is already overclocking easily at 5Ghz and up depending on the chip and cooling obviously. Unless you're using DICE or LN2 for record-breaking scores, overclocking between Sandy and Ivy shouldn't be that much different in performance imo. (Pretty much what you said)

But then again, we really don't know - yet, so I know I could be wrong. ;)

IYO, which is the best processor for Sandy Bridge? I'm looking for a quad core 3.0+ Ghz that is easily overclockable.

IYO, which is the best processor for Sandy Bridge? I'm looking for a quad core 3.0+ Ghz that is easily overclockable.

ralph2190

IMO, from what I've seen, they're all (Sandy Bridge) easily overclockable from the i3's, i5's and i7. I like the 2500k personally cause it's probably the best price/performance. Unless you actually use/need hyperthreading from the 2600k, you'll be happy on a 2500k.

~$100 more on the 2600k wasn't worth it for me as I usually game more than anything else so I saved the cash on another upgrade like an SSD. 8)

[QUOTE="ralph2190"]

IYO, which is the best processor for Sandy Bridge? I'm looking for a quad core 3.0+ Ghz that is easily overclockable.

nightz2k

IMO, from what I've seen, they're all (Sandy Bridge) easily overclockable from the i3's, i5's and i7. I like the 2500k personally cause it's probably the best price/performance. Unless you actually use/need hyperthreading from the 2600k, you'll be happy on a 2500k.

~$100 more on the 2600k wasn't worth it for me as I usually game more than anything else so I saved the cash on another upgrade like an SSD. 8)

From what I hear the hyperthreading on the 2600k can cause extra heat and not make overclocks at high as a 2500k I might be wrong but I know I seen people mention that before.

Wait for ivy because chances are, the prices of other CPU's will go down, so its win win no matter what you getgmaster456

You can find the 2500k's for as low as $180 new depending where you look and if you have a store like Mircocenter around. (wish I did) Even used they're selling for around $170 - $200 which is still a worthwhile price. I don't know what you're expecting them to go down to, Intel CPU's don't drop in price that fast.

From what I hear the hyperthreading on the 2600k can cause extra heat and not make overclocks at high as a 2500k I might be wrong but I know I seen people mention that before.

AutoPilotOn

Yeah I've heard the 2600k's run a bit hotter with HT on too, which I would think makes them harder to keep a good stable overclock. I don't know from personal experience though obviously. They're still one of the best (arguably) CPU's out to date so far.

Cool, thanks guys. I think I will go for a i5 2500k. Ivy Bridge maybe someday, but this seems like the best option for me now.

Cool, thanks guys. I think I will go for a i5 2500k. Ivy Bridge maybe someday, but this seems like the best option for me now.

ralph2190