Future Intel upgrades....

[Arterion]

Okay, so I've been wrestling with the AMD/Intel debate for a while now, and even though I'm not really satisfied that I know which upgrade will be best for me longer term (because there's no real info on Agena/Penryn performance yet), I'm starting to lean towards Intel.

One of my arguments for upgrading to an AM2 rig was the future Agena/Barcelona support, but I just realised I don't know loads about future Intel chips- obviously I know Penryn/Nehalem chips will be available, but will I be able to use these chips if I got, say an Asus P5K-E motherboard (P35 chipset/DDR2)?

Just interested in support for the next 18 months or so as that's about how often I upgrade this stuff...

 

[Arterion]

Yep, get a P35 motherboard and a e2160. Then upgrade when Penryn comes out, if you want.

This upgrade really needs to be an upgrade in its own right, as well as a possible stepping-stone to another CPU....so I think I would grab an E6420

 

[Arterion]

I had an e2160 Vs an e6600 in identical setups, both at 3GHz. There was almost no difference. FEAR was identical, 3d mark 06 was almost identical, Supreme Commander was down 5% as was CoH. I was surprised how little difference the cache makes, and it could certainly run rings around your Winchester

I'm not really one to overclock though...

 

[Arterion]

These chips are SO easy to.

Step 1. Set VCore to 1.35
Step 2. Set FSB to 340
Step 3. Boot PC and enjoy 3GHz goodness


Step 4. Run orthos for 8 hours for safety / OCuk screenie

Hmm, i'd still rather not, but if it *really* is that easy, and pretty much guaranteed then maybe i could....