NuclearCrap

Situated as of July 2009

It's summer, and everybody's going shopping. Since you're on OCN, chances are you're looking for upgrades or a new build. There are countless combinations of hardware that you can get depending on your needs. With all the new stuffs coming out, it's no wonder that you'd pop into the forums and start asking what's best for your budget.

Before you start buying things impulsively, you should know the following so you can make a solid build that will last you for a while without major upgrades in the near future, even if it means spending a little more now or jumping ships.

We all know that Intel introduced Core i7 with the brand new Nehalem architecture at the end of 2008, and since then they've been busy working on how they should scale it down for mainstream users. As a result, they decided to introduce Core i5. To maximize profits, Core i5 will be available on socket LGA1156, which is different from the current i7's LGA1366. And if you have a Core 2, don't worry, it won't be obsolete just yet because Intel is renaming it to Core i3. If you find this confusing, here's the chart:


(Click image for source; note that the "LGA1155" is a typo, supposed to be "LGA1156")

Initially, a lower-end Core i7, namely the i7 870, will also be available on LGA1156. The rest is pretty self explanatory.

So in the end, what does this mean to you as a consumer?

To start off, it depends on how much money you're planning to spend. Of course, the exact numbers are unknown, but we do know (as of now) how much it cost to build a Core 2 or Core i7 rig. If we apply some marketing logic, the price of Core i3 should be a bit lower than today's Core 2 due to its "new" low-end status so Core i5 can fit into the price range of current high-end Core 2.

If you're currently running a Core 2 system, there's almost no reason to buy anything less than Core i5, even if you're only running an average chip such as a E7200. "Upgrading" to a better Core 2/i3 chip won't net you much over your current chip. Also, notice how Intel has stopped pushing out new high-end Core 2 chips since the Q9650 (ignore the Extremes), but rather they're spending more time on improving the more average chips. If the trend continues, which it most likely will for a good marketing strategic reason, there won't be any Core i3 better than what's currently available now as Core 2.

To sum it up, since you can't stick an i5 or i7 into your LGA775 socket, you'd be stuck with the current line-up, and there's no doubt that AMD might be a better choice if you're looking to spend similar amount of money, hugely because AM3 is a new socket and it will definitely support a wide range of upcoming chips from AMD. Given that generally an AM3 system built from currently available parts would perform and cost somewhere between a Core 2 and a Core i7 system, it'll certainly put up a good fight with Core i5. And of course, you can also wait for Core i5's launch in early September.

On the other hand, if you're currently running old hardware such as an Athlon X2 or Pentium D and you aren't planning to spend much, a Core i3 build would make perfect sense. Given that you've been able to cope with your hardware to this day, a Core 2/i3 build will last you for another good 3 years, and it won't put a big hole in your wallet.

And finally, if you're planning to spend big bucks on a Core i7 system, then know that you'll be forever spending at least $250-300 on a new CPU for as long as you have that X58 board.

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corky dorkelson

Great write-up! The only part I disagree with is advising not going from E7200 to high-end C2Q. With the 9550 at about 200 bones, I think it is a great upgrade that will last a while. You don't even really need to upgrade the motherboard if you already have a P35 or better.

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NuclearCrap

I didn't really say don't do it, but an E7200 is generally almost as good as a Q9550 (assuming both overclocked) if the application you use doesn't take full advantage of a quad. In terms of practicality, you'd still be spending $200 on a minor upgrade that'll benefit you the most in benchmarks and professional apps.

But I would say that E7000-series is about borderline for worthiness of upgrading to a better Core 2/i3. Besides, Intel will have to push i3 prices down given that they're launching i5 at around $200.

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corky dorkelson

I agree that most users will not see a huge difference in performance, but for me at least, I really wanted a quad because games are starting to use the cores, I gained virtualization, the ability to fold on some cores while doing everyday stuff, and I like that the chip has a high OC potential. (I just upgraded from E7200 to 9550).

Not to mention, the i7 just runs so stinking hot. I didn't want to have to CFM spam my Noctua to keep temps in check. I like quiet. I also like s775 too much to give it up yet. It's like a high school sweetheart, so hard to let go.

The best part is right now, that there are lots of paths to upgrade, with many different price-points. This is by far the best time to be a custom pc user.

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wsup

Hi I am currently using pendium D and I am getting really annoyed how slow it is, so I want to upgrade. I have been thinking about i7 build but since they are discontinuing the 920 I dont know if it still is a wise choice. Also I've been looking at Q9550 since its prices dropped. They have them at microcenter for like 160 bucks. Do you guys think that Q9550 with ga-ep45-ud3p and some 1066 ram would last me for next 3-4 years ?

bizarro321

Wsup,

I am in the similar situation as you. I have an old Pentium system and want to upgrade soon. I looked at a Quad Core system and found the price difference between that and an i7 920 system to be small ($200).

I feel like if you are getting a brand new system.. the good choices are to go with an i7 920 (while they last) or wait til i5 comes out.

Now my question is.. will an i7 920 system be better than a i5 2.80 GHz Lynnfield system?

I usually keep my system for 5-7 years.. so I want to build a system that will allow me to upgrade to whatever CPU in the future, but let me keep the same mobo. Will there be $300-ish CPUs for the 1366 socket 5 years from now?

wsup

I dont think difference in between i5 and i7 will be bigger than core 2 and i7. p55 motherboards will probably be more expensive than p45 ones. To answer your question I am pretty sure that i7 920 is better and it overclocks very good. You dont know that i5 will overclock as good as i7. Also from what I've read intel wants to keep 1366 a high end socket so I think cpus for it will be like $500+. But I would love to see them have cpus for that socket in 300 dollar range

-iceblade^

great writeup NC... very helpful

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NuclearCrap

And that's why LGA1156 would be a great choice. i7 is being discontinued soon on LGA1366 with the 6-core i9 as the replacement. With that, Intel can push more i7 onto the LGA1156 platform (i7 870 is already planned for LGA1156). And you're right, LGA1366 will continue being the high-end socket, but for years, Intel considers $300 to be the price point for an entry-level high-end chip: E6600 as first-generation Core 2, Q6600 as first-generation Core 2 Quad, Q9450 as first-generation Penryn Quad, i7 920 as first-generation Nehalem, etc. P55 would definitely be more expensive than P45 boards partly because P45 pricing would need to be lowered.

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carayan

Well then long live 775! It's so hard choosing parts now. Do you buy a 775 socket only for 1156 to come out soon. Do you hold off maybe go 1366? So hard.

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Secondary System: Pentium 4 515, ASUS PTGL-31, 2.5GB DDR, 480w Coolermaster ExtremePower, XFX 8600GT, 120GB IDE, CoolerMaster 534+ Centurion.