2011 sandy bridge, 1155 Sandy bridge or 1155 ivy bridge

[Mozz]

I can't decide what type of system to go for. I want to build a new rig (using some components from my old machine, mainly graphics and HDD's to cut down price).

I want the build to be fairly upgradeable, would be nice if in a year or two being able to pop in a more powerful CPU without needing a new mobo as well. I was looking at the i7 3820 and was ready to buy it when the hubbub about the ivy bridge came about.

Any recommendations to which would be the best socket for upgradeability and performance. I read a lot about the GPU on the ivy bridge but ofc this is worthless to me with a stand alone GPU.

 

[dokko]

From my understanding is that the socket will be changing again as early as next year, so really looking to not change the board for a while would probably mean stick with the CPU you buy this time round.

I was thinking of going for a new ivy bridge board and going with a 2500k until the next batch of ib are released without the heat issues. At least then I'd get two chips out of a board, even if its cheating slightly.

 

[Mozz]

Well if the boards ar changing again i may end up goinf for an ivy, ive heard bad things about them though in as much as heir compatability with some software (god knows how), though their bechmarks are better generally i guess.

 

[jeff6475]

i feel your pain im in the same boat dunno what 2 do, my son is getting my 2500k soon which gives me chance of changing

 

[Mozz]

one thing ive noticed looking at ivy is that the motherboards come about £100 cheaper, which would be very nice on my budget, but i sill have yet to compare any spec for spec

 

[muon]

Haswell will require a new socket won't it? So whatever you buy will be obsolete next year.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Hi there,

May I ask what you will be using the PC for?

In LGA2011 and LG1155 you have two slightly overlapping platforms - both of which will (eventually) use Sandy bridge and Ivy bridge architecture CPUs. 1155 is the mainstream-focused platform which only goes up to quad cores, the boards are much cheaper and they have already recieved their Ivy bridge design CPUs.

LGA2011 on the other hand is the enthusiast-level platform which offers both quad and hex core CPUs (and possibly octo core with Ivy Bridge E), more expensive (and more feature-packed) motherboards and they will be receiving their Ivy Bridge design CPUs late this year or early next year.

 

[Mozz]

Prety much going to be used fo high end gaming, 3D rendering, lots of photo editing combined with programming (so several browsers, illustrator photoshop and editors and uploaders all going at once + music + media server hdd going), and peraps some compiling of programs.

Looking at ivy i can get a better CPU for a bit more while going for a much cheaper motherboard, but i didn't know 2011 was getting its own ivy later.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Right, that is some CPU heavy tasks you will be doing.

With a Z77 board + i7 3770K ivy bridge CPU you will get a bit better performance than a Sandy bridge E i7 3820 (see here). However, if you will be overclocking then this gap does narrow a bit - as the i7 3770K can't overclock quite as high as an i7 3820 with air cooling.

Also, the i7 3770K is likely to be one of the very best LGA1155 CPUs ever to be made, therefore there really isn't much CPU-only upgrades likely to be worthwhile in the future.
In contrast the i7 3820 is already overshadowed by Sandy bridge E hex core CPUs (though their prices do start at £450) and Ivy Bridge E will be coming later on - which offers another CPU upgrade using the same socket.

However, when thinking about these upgrades it is also worth considering that you can get a very nice, highly overclockable, fully featured Z77 motherboard for ~£100. Therefore, when the new Haswell mainstream LGA1150 boards come out it is likely that you could get a similar nice board for this kind of price. Therefore, factoring differences in the initial motherboard cost - doing a CPU-only upgrade on a LGA2011 system will likely cost about the same as upgrading both CPU and motherboard from LGA1155 ivy bridge to LGA1150 haswell.

Because of this I would personally for with a i7 3770K CPU and Z77 board - unless ofcourse you are willing to spend the money on a Hex core Sandy Bridge E i7 3930K.

 

[Mozz]

A 3770k is prety much what ive landed on being worh while.

Having trouble finding a good motherboard though, I'm trying to find a board to go with my NZXT Phantom and the fan points are all in painfull places, not having too much trouble finding one hard drive wise as i only need my SSD + 4 SATAII's . Just not used to looking at "lower spec" motherboards as it were, but if i go the ivy route i will be looking at an economy board to amke up for the extra prie of the 3770k compared to the 3820.

As the Ivy just came out I can't find many Z77 reviews with ivy's, do you have any recomendationsfor a good Z77 for my lovely 3770k and Phantom case?

 

[stone_cold_Jimi]

Prety much going to be used fo high end gaming, 3D rendering, lots of photo editing combined with programming (so several browsers, illustrator photoshop and editors and uploaders all going at once + music + media server hdd going), and peraps some compiling of programs.

Looking at ivy i can get a better CPU for a bit more while going for a much cheaper motherboard, but i didn't know 2011 was getting its own ivy later.

3930k and you won't look back, prospect of Ivy-E when you get bored of it. I've grown terribly fond of mine very quickly.

 

[ginjaninja]

Although i am a self confessed holder-outer...rather buying nothing than not getting a perceived good deal...

all the talk of IB heat disappointments, potential as yet unconfirmed new steppings, with or without the potential to address said disappointments and new sockets next year.........Im just not feeling 'it' with the current crop.

Last time round, there were no such caveats or concerns aired...everyone shouted confidently Q6600 G0 FTW. Which is still running well a 3.6ghz and has been excellent value. Although i 'could' buy a system this year and another next, i am too bloody minded to do so and will hold out for a new socket at least now......

 

[Yaayuh!]

I went with x79/LGA2011 and i'm very happy. Will be upgrading the Ivy Bridge-E next year, will keep the rest of the kit and hopefully have a kickass 8core/16thread beast.