New CPU? Core i7 970/980 vs Ivy Bridge

[kiddingguy]

My computer is alsmost 3 years now. Still running pretty smooth.

Though, every once a while I'm thinking of upgrading.

What do you guys think I can do best (total price taken into account):

- get a new Core i7 hexacore CPU (970/980) or

- switch to Ivy Bridge later this year?

In the case of Ivy Bridge I have to buy a new mobo. CPU and maybe even memory.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Well, considering that you currently have a thousand dollar processor, I don't think you should.

Not that it isn't worth the money. Mainstream i5 can beat these extreme edition ones easily.

If you feel that your PC is not living upto your expectations, and not performing well, you should upgrade.

Otherwise, there is no reason

[psionicinversion]

if your using it for games the upgrade to a 970/980 will barely give you any noticeable difference as all the work is done on the gpu on the majority of games so that where you should be looking to upgrade. If your using it for video editing and stuff id say the amd fx 8 core bulldozers would be your best bet. If you just want upgrade your computer for the sake of it then why upgrade to 970/980 which is like 4 year old tech. the 2600k's give like a 20% boost over the 950's etc so ivy bridge will be even better. May as well get the latest tech you can otherwise whats the point, cus say you wait another 3 years after that purchase your computer will still be like 6-7 years old cus of the hardware your using. Pointless.

[TEX4S]

There are some other things to take into consideration. One being a CPU isnt a huge factor in overall performance.

For instance, I only have a Core i7 950 - and everything I ask the computer to do is practically simultaneous - I never have to wait on anything. (almost)

Will a new Sandy Bridge or Ive Bridge be faster ? Sure in some things it will - but will most people notice a difference ? Not really.

So it depends on what you're using it for. In my opinion -- wait - there is no reason to spend $1000 on a 990 - NONE.

[undu]

My computer is alsmost 3 years now. Still running pretty smooth.

Though, every once a while I'm thinking of upgrading.

If it's running smooth why would you consider upgrading it? Doesn't make much sense to buy an upgrade when there's not much need for it.

[kiddingguy]

If it's running smooth why would you consider upgrading it? Doesn't make much sense to buy an upgrade when there's not much need for it.

Thx for the replies. I guess I'll leave it this way for now, since no real performance boosts can be given (at least noticeable).

As I said... every once a while this questions pops up in my head.

[articuno1au]

I'd stick with the CPU you have.

Failing that, DEFINITELY NOT the 1366 chip which is already deprecated and has a bunch of flaws.

Failing that again, I would buy a SSD ;)

[tsupersonic]

Well, considering that you currently have a thousand dollar processor

The i7 920 was NEVER a $1000 processor in retail. :huh:

[Muhammad Farrukh]

The i7 920 was NEVER a $1000 processor in retail. :huh:

The title says 970/980

[xendrome]

Failing that, DEFINITELY NOT the 1366 chip which is already deprecated and has a bunch of flaws.

Flaws?

The title says 970/980

I think he's asking if he should go with a i7-970/980 or Ivy Bridge, he has a 920 in his sig.

[tsupersonic]

The title says 970/980

Look what you wrote, "Well, considering that you currently have a thousand dollar processor" and look at his SIG, and he claims he has an i7 920...so, yes, the i7 920 was never a $1000 retail. Also the i7 970 isn't a thousand dollar processor anyway...

[Muhammad Farrukh]

I thought he had 970/980 and was compairing it to IvyBridge.

Sorry. My bad

[kiddingguy]

I currently have an 920,

the question was either upgrade to 970/980 or Ivy Bridge... basically what the cheapest option is in price and to get the best performance price/quality-wise.

[DrKrepz]

Ivy bridge is only going to offer a 20% performance increase over the current sandy bridge CPUs so it's not a major release. I'd stick with your 920 for a while if I were you. Still, if you want to upgrade you could pick up an SSD.

To be honest, I doubt any game changing CPUs will be out for a while due to the fact that Intel no longer has any competition since Bulldozer was such a flop. It's unlikely that AMD will continue to make desktop CPUs after the loss they suffered on bulldozer. I'm pretty sure they're just going to focus on mobile CPUs and graphics cards from now on. :/

[Muhammad Farrukh]

920 ain't a bad CPU still.

Stick with it. You'll a get a better upgrade next year

[kiddingguy]

920 ain't a bad CPU still.

Stick with it. You'll a get a better upgrade next year

Correct. The 920 still gets everything done (quickly).

Maybe you're right and I should wait some more months to decide what to do....

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

ive been getting the upgrade itch for a while now - just like the OP apparently :laugh:

anyway, i also have a 920 and for some reason i've kept it overclocked at 3.6GHz for like 2 years now. this weekend i overclocked it to 3.8GHz and hope to hit 4GHz. it's still a great processor so i see no reason to upgrade to Ivy Bridge. If anything, i'll upgrade with Haswell next year. remember, Ivy Bridge is a 'tick' and Haswell is a 'tock'

[ANON86364]

I had a 920 and had it overclocked to 4GHz. An amazing bag-for-buck that chip is. If the OP has not overclocked it (doesn't specify in signature), I suggest doing so before spending money on an upgrade.

[+seb5150 Subscriber²]

Ugrade your video card and get a recently released SSD. Haswell will be out next year and that will be the time to upgrade if you have a Sandybridge or older CPU.

[Invizibleyez]

I really am shocked at the limited value in upgrading processors. I play games on my computer and I really have yet to feel my processor can't keep up. Keep in mind that I STILL have a Core 2 duo [email protected] (stock). I think crysis was the last game to make me feel like I might not be able to do it, but then, it did fine.

I am personally considering a mobo/cpu/ram upgrade, but only because I have a feeling it will start to hold me back soon, my processor is 5 years old now.

[still1]

I would wait for Ivy.. its the first 22nm and tri gate processor and it has some advantage

[Motoko.]

Look what you wrote, "Well, considering that you currently have a thousand dollar processor" and look at his SIG, and he claims he has an i7 920...so, yes, the i7 920 was never a $1000 retail. Also the i7 970 isn't a thousand dollar processor anyway...

bite his head off, will you? ..

[streetw0lf]

Personally I am going to build a new rig later this year when the Ivy Bridge-E's with Quad channel memory comes out along with the new 'Panther' Chipset.

[PixilEyes]

Ivy bridge is only going to offer a 20% performance increase over the current sandy bridge CPUs so it's not a major release.

20% now days is HUGE.

[DrKrepz]

20% now days is HUGE.

everything is relative ;)