Core i7: Now or Later?

[Fitseries3]

NCIX then

 

[BloodTotal]

NCIX is pretty good

back in december I got my P5Q PRO for $129 (with MIR) and my BFG for $129 (with MIR)

+ the motherboard gave me free shipping for the whole order

Hey, fitseries 3, it would be very cool if you could make a buying guide or something like that. If you would, I would be obliged to help out.

I was actually thinking of making one for Canadia

 

[n-ster]

I prefer crossing the border for cheaper stuff

 

[Wile E]

Back on topic: I say just wait for the new cpu steppings, just to see if it's beneficial at all. What's waiting a couple weeks?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It seems like there was a reason I had to format my computer so by doing it now, it would save time. Now, I can't seem to remember why I wanted to format it. I have the money now to get the parts so it's really just down to is it worth the wait or not. I wish Intel would be more forward with why they are releasing updated versions of the Core i7 and x58 chip set. It's hard to make any decisions when you don't have enough information.

Most are saying to wait so...

 

[Fitseries3]

there is not alot different in the new stepping. even the new x58 wont be a big difference.

the thing is... QPI is at its max already. you cant fix that. the end.

dont waste your money is all im saying.

get a decent board for under $300 + cheap ddr3 + i7 920

read this if you still dont like my ram idea.... http://www.techspot.com/article/131-intel-corei7-memory-performance/

 

[n-ster]

that RAM is the bomb... it can OC to 1900mhz ... proof is Fit! just link him to that thread Fit...

 

[Fitseries3]

its running 2004mhz at 8-8-7-20-1t @ 1.84v now and i been running BOINC for 6 hours on it no problems.

 

[n-ster]

just a tip though... I wouldn't run 1.84V on the RAM since intel says its bad for i7... btw Fit, how far did you go with ~1.7V?

 

[DRDNA]

its running 2004mhz at 8-8-7-20-1t @ 1.84v now and i been running BOINC for 6 hours on it no problems.

amazing

 

[Fitseries3]

just a tip though... I wouldn't run 1.84V on the RAM since intel says its bad for i7... btw Fit, how far did you go with ~1.7V?

thats total BS. i've run 2.2v through my ram and its run fine. you just need the vtt up high enough for it.

 

[Binge]

I wish Intel would be more forward with why they are releasing updated versions of the Core i7 and x58 chip set. It's hard to make any decisions when you don't have enough information.

Most are saying to wait so...

Go ahead and by all means wait, but if you use google you can find the answer in 5 minutes... Honestly the x58 chipset revision will probably do something good but as for the new i7 stepping it's only to signify that you are techincally getting a different chip since different materials will be used in the manufacturing process. How hard is this???

 

[FordGT90Concept]

When are B3 motherboards (manufacturers get it on April 10) expected to hit shelves though? If it isn't until May, I don't think I can wait that long.

 

[Wile E]

Go ahead and by all means wait, but if you use google you can find the answer in 5 minutes... Honestly the x58 chipset revision will probably do something good but as for the new i7 stepping it's only to signify that you are techincally getting a different chip since different materials will be used in the manufacturing process. How hard is this???

Different materials in the manufacturing process can effect the chip massively. And I do mean massively. Electron migration can be effected by the slightest change in materials. That can mean the difference between 1.4V for 4.2Ghz or 1.3V for the same clocks, for example. It can also effect the overall ability for the chip to handle voltage and heat.

By the same token, it could go in the opposite direction, but that is less likely.

It could also provide no difference at all. Either way, it's worth waiting 2 weeks to find out.

 

[SystemViper]

Go ahead and by all means wait, but if you use google you can find the answer in 5 minutes... Honestly the x58 chipset revision will probably do something good but as for the new i7 stepping it's only to signify that you are techincally getting a different chip since different materials will be used in the manufacturing process. How hard is this???

I have to agree, I remember when the DO stepping was announced, I was like ,"oh S##t," should I wait or should i GO


Then i jsut did a little googling, read some forums, since it was a hot topic for a while and everthing said it was a information formatting change, no changes to the chip "at all" so waiting for a change which does nothing except for the vendors and Intel to track the chip is kinda, hmmm, i dunno, useless.


But i got to find out more on the motherboard chipset change,.

 

[n-ster]

I would wait as much as you can if I were you... x58 boards may drop in price, you could maybe accompany that i7 920 with a new graphic card by then for the same budget...

as for the RAM voltage, I'm pretty sure intel wouldn't want to advertise 1.65V limit for nothing since OCers are sometimes turned away from the i7 b/c of that... and OCers are most of i7 market share

 

[Wile E]

And contrary to some reports, my googling has a few links claiming mobo manufacturers have said their D0 ES's OC better than C0. So, the pendulum swings both ways.

 

[Fitseries3]

x58 prices will always be high.

here is why...

x58 requires the use of an 8 layer PCB to allow for enough paths to make the board possible.

most high end 775 boards are 6 layers while cheaper 775 boards are 4-5 layers.

8 layer boards cost A LOT to make and have alot more copper than older boards.... hench the cost.

 

[SystemViper]

The electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications remain within the current specifications. Intel anticipates no changes to customer platforms designed to previous Intel guidelines.

Thats the line that everybody is printing, so there could be many ways to read into

remain within the current specifications

 

[Fitseries3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbV5cUKX6Hs

that'll through you into a loop

 

[SystemViper]

Integrated graphics, eek:

 

[Binge]

Different materials in the manufacturing process can effect the chip massively. And I do mean massively. Electron migration can be effected by the slightest change in materials. That can mean the difference between 1.4V for 4.2Ghz or 1.3V for the same clocks, for example. It can also effect the overall ability for the chip to handle voltage and heat.

By the same token, it could go in the opposite direction, but that is less likely.

It could also provide no difference at all. Either way, it's worth waiting 2 weeks to find out.

I agree completely, but don't expect to be stunned lol. I am going to try and get my hands on one either way.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Waaaa, you guys aren't making this any easier (7-now, 5-D0, 8-B3).

 

[Megasty]

Waiting is good but the C0 920 can do 4.0 on air. I haven't even had the time to experiment with it yet & I bought it last month I just managed to put my fairly new rig together today. I'll probably get a D0 anyway seeing that its terribly hard for me to pass up new stuff. Knowing me, I just end up burning through a few of those just like the Q6600.

 

[n-ster]

B3!

btw for prices... 6gb ddr3 85$, GB ud4p with i7 510$ after MIR = less than 600$ upgrade... I believe that that price is quite fair... no I think that price is outrageously low... add a 4830 if you want to upgrade a graphic card and you got less then 700$ for a great rig...