Debating whether to update to SB

seekdestroy · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:05

Ok, I'm still using my C2D E8400 @ 4ghz system, with some G.Skill 4gb DDR2-8000CL5. And got GTX460 and SSD.

Now I've been holding off upgrading for a while now, and was waiting for the new sandybridge to come out. But now that It's out I really can't decide whether to upgrade or not. Will I see much of an improvement, and will i see £500-£600 worth of an improvement?

Also, If I was looking to upgrade, would these components be best? Not sure on the Asus mobo or the MSI ones!

*EDIT*
Just decided to change the ram to: GeIL 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz VALUE PLUS Dual Channel (GVP38GB1600C9DC)
Decide it wasn't worth the extra £35 for tighter timings, even though I read lower timings are better.

RJC · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:09

Does your E8400 struggle?

Comparison below, you could go for the 2500k.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/56?vs=287

GeezerButler · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:12

I gave the last gen i5/i7 a miss. I am going to ditch my Q6600/Asus P45 rig and go i5-2500K/MSI P67. I like SB's cool running and easy overclocking. Hoping it will help my frame rates in ARMA2 and FSX.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:16

I have no intension of ditching my current Q6600 based computer ATM unless it goes kaput.

AMD Bulldozer is supposedly being released in April 2011 and TBH looks quite interesting. I would rather know what new architecture processors AMD and Intel have out in the enthusiast CPU category this year before spending hundreds of quid. More competition will mean better prices.

seekdestroy · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:28

Well I play CSS a lot, and I always notice both cores are usually 90%+
I also play BC2 and HON!

I suppose i got the upgrade itch too. lol
One thing I just thought, i Would need a new heatsink too

Yeah it's a hard choice between 2500k and 2600k. Main difference is the HT isn't it? But do games use HT, will they use HT? Like the new crysis 2 etc?

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:34

seekdestroy said:
Well I play CSS a lot, and I always notice both cores are usually 90%+

I suppose i got the upgrade itch too. lol
One thing I just thought, i Would need a new heatsink too

Yeah it's a hard choice between 2500k and 2600k. Main difference is the HT isn't it? But do games use HT, will they use HT? Like the new crysis 2 etc?

Unless you having issues then why does it matter what utilisation your cores are at?? As long as the game is playing well it does not really matter TBH. In many cases a general system software cleanup and overhaul will help a lot. Even making sure that your system is clear of dust and not overheating can help too.

It is like people who bought the 8800GTS 640MB as an upgrade for the original Crysis months before it was released and when the game came out the 8800GT 512MB was released which was much faster and cheaper.

If my current computer is still doing the job when AMD Bulldozer is released I will probably still keep even though my Shuttle SD37P2 was bought in late 2006.

seekdestroy · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:42

Yeah thats true, but I don't just want to keep hanging on, then buying SB when it gets cheaper, or waiting for IVY, then all of a sudden I've upgraded and then the next gen will be out.

I can't believe how long my current system has lasted me. So i'm also thinking if i upgrade now, I can hold on for another 2/3 generations/

Hedge · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:44

Id just upgrade when it gets slow. In the meantime treat yourself to other things like a good speaker/ soundcard setup or something.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:45

seekdestroy said:
Yeah thats true, but I don't just want to keep hanging on, then buying SB when it gets cheaper, or waiting for IVY, then all of a sudden I've upgraded and then the next gen will be out.

I can't believe how long my current system has lasted me. So i'm also thinking if i upgrade now, I can hold on for another 2/3 generations/

AMD Bulldozer is out in April 2011 supposedly(slides say Q2 2011) and this will be targeted towards the current socket 1155 processors AFAIK.

As I have said before I would rather have both the new architectural releases from AMD and Intel out before I make a decision. More competition will mean better prices.

Neil79 · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:52

Hedge said:
Id just upgrade when it gets slow. In the meantime treat yourself to other things like a good speaker/ soundcard setup or something.

Yeh same, i'm using a Q6600 myself @ 3GHZ and i'm playing BFBC2 just fine unless i start seeing those red digits in fraps then it's good enough for me

Hedge · 9 Jan 2011 at 13:11

Neil79 said:
Yeh same, i'm using a Q6600 myself @ 3GHZ and i'm playing BFBC2 just fine unless i start seeing those red digits in fraps then it's good enough for me

Its BFBC2 thats made me hesistant about my upgrade this week. I have the funds to buy a standard Sandybridge setup but my PC is running BC2 at a good rate. I go away for 3 months in April too so I might aswell see how the market is when I get back