High end CPU decisions

[Xander567]

I've currently started looking at which CPU to buy for a high end computer. The tasks the computer completes are pretty simple. I play high end games mostly but do some compiling and chemical analysis.

If i had to pick a main purpose for the pc, it would be gaming.

My question is this. The new Sandybridge CPU's with the onboard graphics seem great. but are they still good even if you aren't planning on using the onboard graphics. Would a 980 perform better if you don't count in the graphics of the sandybridge?

 

[P3N9U1N]

Ive seen comparisons between the sandybridge 2600k's and the 980/990x and the 2600k's seem to perform a lot better in most tasks including gaming

 

[pcpietrek]

for the gaming go sandybridge or wait little bit to see for AMD BD performance figures

 

[Xander567]

Do the onboard graphics have any use other than providing an onboard graphics option? Are there options to offload tasks to it?

 

[pcpietrek]

If you have motherboard with Z68 (not all of them) you can use onboard graphic when doing light tasks (like browsing net) and save on electricity

 

[Mario]

Do the onboard graphics have any use other than providing an onboard graphics option? Are there options to offload tasks to it?

and you can use quick sync also

 

[AndyCr15]

I was speccing up a Sandybridge CPU, 2600 @ 3.4mhz, but he's saying avoid them and get a i7 960 @ 3.2 instead.

Generally I will be playing Battlefield 3 and encoding some videos. What's best?

Thanks.

 

[Alasdairhurst]

2500k is really the best for performance to the pound. the 2600k performs better in stuff like encoding, but it's £75 more. sandybrige also overclocks really well on air - you can get around 4.5ghz easily.

i7 960 is more expensive and doesnt perform or overclock as well as sandybridge. plus only the 1st gen cpus can be used in that socket. if you get 1155 then you can always have an upgrade path to ivybridge in the future.

 

[Martini1991]

2500k is really the best for performance to the pound. the 2600k performs better in stuff like encoding, but it's £75 more. sandybrige also overclocks really well on air - you can get around 4.5ghz easily.

i7 960 is more expensive and doesnt perform or overclock as well as sandybridge. plus only the 1st gen cpus can be used in that socket. if oyu get 1156 then you can always have an upgrade path to ivybridge in the future.

You mean 1155.

 

[AndyCr15]

I'm looking to upgrade from an i5 now, so a 2500k perhaps not so worth while?

When is Ivybridge expected?

 

[Alasdairhurst]

You mean 1155.

oops yeah.

I'm looking to upgrade from an i5 now, so a 2500k perhaps not so worth while?

When is Ivybridge expected?

sometime within the next year at the moment

 

[Mario]

I was speccing up a Sandybridge CPU, 2600 @ 3.4mhz, but he's saying avoid them and get a i7 960 @ 3.2 instead.

Generally I will be playing Battlefield 3 and encoding some videos. What's best?

Thanks.

Get i7 960 instead??? LOL
That "he" have no clue then
Just get 2500K,overcklock it to 4.8 and be happy,also get Z68 mobo,so you can use quick sync encoding

 

[Surveyor]

and you can use quick sync also

also get Z68 mobo,so you can use quick sync encoding

If you have the right software:

Intel Quick Sync

 

[jennidc]

upgrade

What type of i5 do you have if its one of the Lynnfields then sell your board & CPU and
buy a z68 board and an I5 Sandybridge 2500k
Go for the ASRock Extreme Z68 board - its ready for Ivybridge and has had great reviews.

 

[Mario]

What type of i5 do you have if its one of the Lynnfields then sell your board & CPU and
buy a z68 board and an I5 Sandybridge 2500k
Go for the ASRock Extreme Z68 board - its ready for Ivybridge and has had great reviews.

this
very good advise

 

[AndyCr15]

Yes, the i5 Lynfield 750.

I'll take a look. Would be nice to do just one bit at a time. I was going to build a whole new system, maybe just the mobo and CPU for now as you say.

Can you suggest a good heat sync and fan, or just go retail?

 

[P3N9U1N]

Ive heard that, although Ivybridge CPU's will use the 1155 socket, you will still need to buy a new motherboard to use an ivybridge. Not sure if its true tho.

 

[Gashman]

what exactly is the problem with your Lynnfield? your not going to magically get massive massive performance boost going to Sandy Bridge from Lynnfield, can't believe so many people are suggesting it, there is no games that your current Core i5 should be struggling with, if there is then its not your CPU, its something else! don't waste your time and cash, just overclock your current i5 and wait for next generation.

 

[AndyCr15]

My current build is having BSOD from time to time, apparently only when I play Bad Company 2. I was just thinking to build a new PC is all.

I may buy some RAM first, as I think that's most likely causing the BSOD.

At the same time, I'm encoding more video than I used to, so was thinking of going i7...

 

[Mario]

My current build is having BSOD from time to time, apparently only when I play Bad Company 2. I was just thinking to build a new PC is all.

I may buy some RAM first, as I think that's most likely causing the BSOD.

At the same time, I'm encoding more video than I used to, so was thinking of going i7...

BC2..more vcore needed maybe? try this,i had same problem until i find that BC2 loves more vcore hehe
BC2 is very good benchmark for stability,just play it for few h nonstop
As for i7 - if you do lots of encoding (like i do) then 2600K way to go.
As for cooler - if you can afford go for this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-078-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395
One of the best air coolers