Wait for New Intel CPU Socket - Sensible?

ginjaninja · 4 Aug 2007 at 19:44

Im looking to buy a new (predominantly) gaming PC and want to maximise the platforms longevity (ie increase chance of supporting future CPUs / Graphics). CPU socket (and to a lesser extent graphics bus) seem to be the most important factor.

As far as I can tell PCI Express 2 will arive before the end of the year so a few months wait for this bus seems sensible.

Does you have any knowledge on release date for the next generation of intel socket?

Or putting the question a slightly different way - from history, how long does Intel tend to support legacy sockets after the release of a new one?

easyrider · 4 Aug 2007 at 19:48

ginjaninja said:
Im looking to buy a new (predominantly) gaming PC and want to maximise the platforms longevity (ie increase chance of supporting future CPUs / Graphics). CPU socket (and to a lesser extent graphics bus) seem to be the most important factor.

As far as I can tell PCI Express 2 will arive before the end of the year so a few months wait for this bus seems sensible.

Does you have any knowledge on release date for the next generation of intel socket?

Or putting the question a slightly different way - from history, how long does Intel tend to support legacy sockets after the release of a new one?

When it comes to PC hardware the way forward is to buy for the now.

If you were to wait you would never actually buy anything.

X38 coming soon will see DDR3 and PCI-e 2.0 but for prices to drop and for new GFX hardware to need this extra bandwidth will be a long long way off.

Boah · 4 Aug 2007 at 21:01

easyrider said:
When it comes to PC hardware the way forward is to buy for the now.

ginjaninja, take this advice and buy what's available within your budget at the time when you need or want to, rather than play the waiting game. There will always be something new around the corner, so it's a game you'll lose.

ginjaninja · 4 Aug 2007 at 23:02

easyrider said:
When it comes to PC hardware the way forward is to buy for the now.

If you were to wait you would never actually buy anything.

X38 coming soon will see DDR3 and PCI-e 2.0 but for prices to drop and for new GFX hardware to need this extra bandwidth will be a long long way off.

There IS always something better around the corner; I still reckon there is such a thing as "sweet spots" though.

At least a modern bus/socket is more like to take the higher speed/bandwidth devices when it does becomes advatageous to upgrade (rather than swap higher % of components); even if it is a long way off.

In the absence on any further info on cpu sockets, i think ill wait for x38 with ddr2 (end august/september) and purchase decision then.

MumboJumbo · 4 Aug 2007 at 23:13

Will the G90s need the new motherboards with new PCI-E?

mattyrigby00 · 4 Aug 2007 at 23:36

8igdave said:
Will the G90s need the new motherboards with new PCI-E?

chances are pci-e 2.0 and 1.0will be compatible with eachother

Angilion · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:52

Boah said:
ginjaninja, take this advice and buy what's available within your budget at the time when you need or want to, rather than play the waiting game. There will always be something new around the corner, so it's a game you'll lose.

I'd add a little to that - buy what's out now unless you know something new and good is coming out within a couple of weeks, with a definite release date.

MrP77 · 5 Aug 2007 at 22:13

i'd say we are in a sweet spot at the moment, with the q6600 quads just droped in price, and everything at a decent price and ultra fast performance, i'd say the time is now, it's going to be at least a couple of months before anything new comes out.... from intel or amd

Antx777 · 5 Aug 2007 at 22:47

It's not that easy a decision is it really

I brought an Athlon FX-55 over 2 years ago (March 05) it was the fastest cpu at the time IIRC, now though, however, if i want more speed from my PC, there's not much more that can be offered on my 939 mobo - save, perhaps, a FX-57, FX60, or a Dual core 4800+ (not sure if Dual Core 939 based Athlons are faster than FX55-57's though in “Gaming”)

My next CPU upgrade path would be a new mobo, CPU, a re-format

- and other not-so-pretty things

Not sure what rig you have now, but I would say “wait”, personally,

-Ant

WJA96 · 6 Aug 2007 at 04:33

P35 is about as good a motherboard platform as we're going to get in the near future. DDR2 is going back up in price (I bought mine at £15/Gb in July thankfully). With the G0 Q6600 about to hit the stores at about £150 Incl. VAT and Delivery I'd have to say the spot looks pretty sweet at the moment.

warren_1979 · 6 Aug 2007 at 12:26

Yeah was just gonna say the Gigabyte P35 board looks a good bet.

Kingy1968 · 6 Aug 2007 at 14:52

I got me a Q6600..

Ill still get some ££££'s back for it on the bay when I want to upgrade so im not worried

MumboJumbo · 6 Aug 2007 at 15:18

I say wait. I think its silly to buy anything now.

The G90 coming out some time around november. This means prices on G80s drop even if you cant afford the G90. New motherboards might come out. New processors etc. Id say wait till november then make your decision.

Im pushing my build to november. It was going to be September. People say buy now. Why buy now if prices are going to drop due to new things coming out. The money you lost could have been spent else where. A few months isn't a long time and i cant see how anyone needs an upgrade drastically now considering there is no new games out right now.

I think november is the time to buy. All the deadlines seem to be happening around then.

Teal · 6 Aug 2007 at 15:39

.. and in November there will be a valid argument to wait till Jan or Feb so the G90 prices will fall a bit and faster DDR3 RAM will be available along with lower CPU prices on the new models ...

It really doesn't end, ever.

easyrider · 6 Aug 2007 at 15:41

Teal said:
.. and in November there will be a valid argument to wait till Jan or Feb so the G90 prices will fall a bit and faster DDR3 RAM will be available along with lower CPU prices on the new models ...

It really doesn't end, ever.

Indeed,

The waiting game is for fools or for people that do not need to use their PC

ovia · 6 Aug 2007 at 15:44

Arnt there some mother boards out that already support the next generation of CPU?

I'm sure I have seen, looking through the motherboards section, that some boards support intels forecomming chips.

easyrider · 6 Aug 2007 at 15:45

ovia said:
Arnt there some mother boards out that already support the next generation of CPU?

I'm sure I have seen, looking through the motherboards section, that some boards support intels forecomming chips.

P35

matthew2456 · 6 Aug 2007 at 22:38

i say wait as long as you need to

Rezident · 6 Aug 2007 at 23:32

Teal said:
.. and in November there will be a valid argument to wait till Jan or Feb so the G90 prices will fall a bit and faster DDR3 RAM will be available along with lower CPU prices on the new models ...

It really doesn't end, ever.

Too true, this is what always happens.

w3bbo · 6 Aug 2007 at 23:39

By the best you can afford NOW - no such thing as future proofing in PC's and playing the waiting games makes little sense as you will be waiting forever for the next big thing. A 2 or 3 week wait can work though but bear in mind there is always something better on the horizon.