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i7 Three Different Sockets - WTF?

paullewis323

paullewis323

paullewis323

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Joined
10 Jan 2012
Posts
301
Location
NW UK
Hi guys

I am going to building a new gaming rig in next 8 weeks, most likely based around an i7 CPU

But they have 3 (THREE) socket type, namely:-

- Socket LGA 1366
- Socket LGA 1155
- Socket LGA 2011

What that about?

Which MOBO socket set is best?

Lewy
 
1366 is old but performance wise still good
1155 is the current main stream for desktops/mid to high end systems
2011 is expensive but best performing

In a nutshell. You'll be wanting 1155 for gaming though.
 
You actually have four, you missed LGA1156.

1156 = original mainstream i7 offering, price point under 1366
1366 = original top-end i7, included 6-core CPUs, not on sale anymore
1155 = current mainstream i7
2011 = current top-end i7, includes 6-core CPUs

At the moment just about everyone buying new is going for 1155.
 
i7 is just the branding for the top-end Intel CPUs. Like the Porsche 911, every few years there is a new version which is better, faster and (usually) uses a shiny new socket - but still uses the same old branding. To differentiate between the different versions you don't just look at the "i7" bit, you need to look at the product number. For example:

800 series - nahalem Lynnfield 45nm
920/930/940/950/960/965/975 - nahalem bloomfield 45nm
970/980/980X/990X - westmere Gulftown 32nm
2000 series - Sandy Bridge 32nm
3800 series - Sandy Bridge-E Quad core 32nm
3900 series - Sandy Bridge-E Hex core 32nm

But as the other say, if your system is mainly for playing games then ignore the i7s and go for a nice i5 like the 2500K - since with this usage an i7 won't offer any better performance and cost a whole lot more.
 
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If your machine is going to be purely for gaming purposes, surely an i5 2500k is more than enough?
i7's would be better suited to someone who does a lot of graphical design or 3d work as well as gaming.

Save some money and get a better gpu.
 
cmndr_andi said:
i7 is just the branding for the top-end Intel CPUs. Like the Porsche 911, every few years there is a new version which is better, faster and (usually) uses a shiny new socket .
Click to expand...


Please tell me what kind of socket the new Porsche comes in, really facinated to hear :D





(sorry couldnt resist)
 
as said above for gaming theres near enough nothing between an i5 and an i7 (a few % at teh very very most) - save the extra and get a better video card :D
 
2011 is best, but chances are 1155 is more than good enough. Don't buy 1156/1366 now as there outdated, unless you get a seriously good deal.
 
If i bought now it would be a 2011 with a Intel Core i7-3960X 3.30GHz that was on special offer before, i was tempted as i thought my mobo was on the way out but i sorted it :)
 
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