spec.me

[Hatton]

The i7-2600k is better than the hex-cores offered by AMD as each core is faster. A comparison can be found here if you want to see solid evidence. Also the 1155 is in fact the newest socket.

I'm baffled. How can a quad core i7-2600k be better than a processor that has 6 cores!? I thought 6 cores was the new and more dominant technology.

Does intel have any 6 core processors?

Firstly I would suggest that you actually go for the motherboard that Stulid linked and I then added to the spec. He was correct in saying it was a lot better while still being cheaper. SandyBridge processors also use dual channel RAM therefore having four RAM slots is the standard.

I want an "Extended ATX" form factor motherboard as they have more slots. I believe the motherboard Stulid posted wasn't Extended ATX (can't see anything about the form factor in the description).

I also want a motherboard that will support compatibility with the upcoming 8 core processor sockets. I'm not sure what socket type they use, does anyone know?

What is the difference between the Z68 and X58 motherboard chipsets?

As you can see I am putting a lot of focus on the motherboard because I want this build to last me into the future. The only reason I am having to upgrade is because my graphics card doesn't fit my mother board (the length is too big and it hits one of the SATA connectors - another reason why I want an Extended ATX mobo)

Thanks again for your feedback, this is really helping me out a lot!

 

[Evoss]

Your choosing the 700D for air cooling? Not the greatest idea. 650D/600T would be a better option if your air cooling the PC.

 

[stulid]

I'm baffled. How can a quad core i7-2600k be better than a processor that has 6 cores!? I thought 6 cores was the new and more dominant technology.

Does intel have any 6 core processors?

Yes, but sandybridge is newer/faster, it does more work per clock cycle meaning it beats all the old stuff and the 6core CPUs, even a £240 2600K CPU beats a £770 Intel i7 990X

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/287?vs=142

What is the difference between the Z68 and X58 motherboard chipsets?

The Z68 are the latest thing, most of them including that Asrock has SSD caching and Lucid virtu

The X58 hasnt got anything, just triple channel ram compatibility and more PCI-E lanes for the expansion slots.

But the difference between 8X/8X and 16X/16X when running dual graphics cards is around 2% and thats only at very high resolutions like 5000X2000

 

[Hatton]

What socket type does the bulldozer (AMD 8 core) and the Intel 8 core (I forget the name) processors need? I want a motherboard that will support it in the future.

Is it possible to get EATX form factor motherboards with Z68 chipsets?

Am I going down the wrong route thinking about EATX motherboards? You guys seem to be linking me to standard ATX form factors.

 

[DJ_Martin]

You can't get a motherboard that will support both intel 8 core processors (I haven't even heard anything of these if I'm honest although I haven't looked too much) and bulldozer CPUs. If you wanted to gamble on Bulldozer being good now even though no official specs have been released you could get an AM3+ board now along with a hexcore AMD but they are absolutely detroyed by Intel's CPUs, the ones that I suggested. I think I read somewhere that the Ivy Bridge CPUs (new Intel CPUs although not sure if they are 8 core) will use the same 1155 socket that Sandy Bridge does.

As for EATX motherboards. I have heard of XL-ATX which are the x58 chipset. These are the bigger boards that have very little features on as Stulid said. I have never heard of EATX though so I am no help there.

It is very difficult to spec a computer to try and make sure you can upgrade to anything in the next few years as sockets are constantly changing. If there was a one socket fits all mobo then how would these companies make their money? From my point of view you would be better off just sticking with a standard ATX Z68 motherboard and an i7 as this is the best you can get at the moment and could well be better than bulldozer.

I would bet my house on the CPUs being released in 3 years time being of a socket that no one has even heard of yet. Just get the best you can for right now and it will last you the longest in still keeping up with the latest tech.

 

[Hatton]

So the Bulldozer will require sockets of AM3+

And the Ivy Bridge will use 1155 sockets?

Is there a confirmed date for when Ivy Bridge will launch? I need to confirm the socket as it will determine what motherboard I can buy.

EDIT: I think I am going to scrap the idea of waiting for Intel's Ivy Bridge. Apparently it is due to launch next year (march/april 2012) and will cost a lot, I also don't know what socket it supports which is a big problem.

Instead I will be getting an AM3+ socket motherboard with AMD in order to secure support for the Bulldozer which is due to launch later this year. It's very competitive in price at $320.

 

[DJ_Martin]

So the Bulldozer will require sockets of AM3+

And the Ivy Bridge will use 1155 sockets?

Is there a confirmed date for when Ivy Bridge will launch? I need to confirm the socket as it will determine what motherboard I can buy.

EDIT: I think I am going to scrap the idea of waiting for Intel's Ivy Bridge. Apparently it is due to launch next year (march/april 2012) and will cost a lot, I also don't know what socket it supports which is a big problem.

Instead I will be getting an AM3+ socket motherboard with AMD in order to secure support for the Bulldozer which is due to launch later this year. It's very competitive in price at $320.

Only just seen this as I was looking through my previous posts to see what people had gone for. I would discourage committing to something when you don't even know how good it is yet. The delays would indicate that Bulldozer really can't compete with Sandy Bridge and I think they are only pushing them out later this year in order to stop themselves falling further behind when Ivy Bridge come out although as I said, no one really knows. I hope for your sake though that Bulldozer turns out to be everything everyone hoped it to be.

Good luck