Haswell Quad Core or Sandy Bridge-E Hexcore

RabidSnail

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The title kind of says it all. I am preparing for a new build and am interested if I should invest in a 2 year old model of the Sandy Bridge-E i7-3930K or one of the new Haswell Quadcore processors. Since i cant provide a link the haswell processor, I am thinking of getting whatever is comparable to this Ivy Bridge. I currently have a Lynnfield i7-875k And its not doing the trick for some of the renderings and other stuff I throw at it. I am aware that there is not much software out there to utilize a hex core, which is one reason why i am debating this. Im assuming there will be about a $200 price difference between the two, but if the performance is worth is, im willing to throw down the money.

I understand this is a hard question to answer since the haswell processors arent out yet, but any advice would be beneficial.
 
Solution
Hope you are happy with the choice, although if the processors are released later on, I am truly sorry, this is leaked info from Engadget and VR-zone as well as a few other sources that I have read on, but it should be quite an accurate depiction of the release date based on Haswell and Sandy Bridge-E's release date two years ago.
I hope all this helped you out.

Austin

JD88

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I personally think I would pick up a Haswell 4770K and overclock it. I don't think the performance difference between the two would be noticeable at all and you would save quite a bit of money in the process.
 

RabidSnail

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That is what my gut is telling me, but then again, if i were to overclock the hex core im sure that wont disappoint :p If ivy Bridge's main selling point is increased graphics, and Haswells selling point is power efficiency (along with some graphics), im not concerned with either. Which brings me back to the Sandy Bridge-E
 

RabidSnail

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Any clue when those are due to be released? I was trying to figure out if they were even going to release hex core CPUs based on Ivy Bridge Architecture, but couldnt find much on it
 

Azn Cracker

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Haswell is coming out next month. Dont get SB-E unless you have a really large budget (like over 3k for the pc). Its not a good bang for the buck.
 

AustinS

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Haswell will have greatly increased graphical performance over Ivy Bridge, as well as a significantly lower tdp (power draw/heat output). Haswell will be released on June 3, during Computex 2013. The Sandy Bridge-E platform will still be significantly more powerful than the upcoming 4770k, but will draw more power, at 95w as to Haswell's 65w. I won't make that much of a difference power-wise, and it would be safer to go with the 3930k (or Ivy Bridge-E's 4930k) as Haswell currently has issues with pulling too "little" power and older psu's cannot handle the low voltages, causing the cpu to be unstable and likely shut down your computer. The benefit to going with the Sandy or Ivy Bridge-E processors is also that you get more pci-e lanes, a lot more processing power.
I also assume that you are doing video editing and stuff along those lines when you say "rendering," or maybe even 3D modeling or something, I'm not sure as you did not specify it, but, if you are doing any of this kind of work than going with the 3930k would help you greatly. If you did not know already, both the cpus you mentioned have hyperthreading, so the Haswell would have 8 threads, whereas, the 3930k or 4930k would have 12 threads. This does help, and any software that you would be using should be able to utilize all of this power, even if it is not fully optimized for it.
If you do end up deciding on the enthusiast level cpu (the E in SB-E means enthusiast), then I suggest waiting for a few months until Ivy Bridge-E comes out as it will have 20% better performance than the Sandy Bridge and much, much faster than the Haswell. One more thing as well, no matter which cpu you get, you will need a new motherboard as they all use different sockets, Ivy Bridge uses 1155, Sandy Bridge-E uses 2011 (I assume Ivy Bridge-E does too, but I am not certain), and Haswell will be very new, so there will mostly be basic boards, it uses a new socket called 1150.

I really hope that this helps, if you have any questions at all just ask, I will get to them as soon as possible. If you want to you can email me at (sytsma.austin@gmail.com), please no junk mail.

Austin
 

RabidSnail

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Thank you Austin, That was extremely helpful! When i say rendering i do mean 3d Modeling. my current quad core really isnt doing it for some of the things i have been trying to work with. I was aware of the different socket type, and since my current build is pushing 4 years, im completely ok with upgrading my entire system :p The only thing holding me back from waiting for the IB-E is the release date? I would like the new build to be done in august at the latest. One of the reasons I might just want to use the SB-E is because there is a lot out there on effective ways to overclock. I cant say I have a great knowledge for overclocking, so the more information out there to help me the better! If you dont mind, When it comes down to making the final decision, I might end up emailing you for your personal opinions. Thank you again for your help!
 

AustinS

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Well, as for the release date on Ivy Bride-E, all I can tell you is that it will be in the second half of 2013, meaning somewhere around august or july, so not long from now. In fact just yesterday here were leaked benchmarks showing it at 10% faster than the Sandy Bridge-E equivalent (by equivalent I mean 3930k to 4930k and 3960x and 4960x). Waiting for this could be quite worthwhile for power consumption as well as Intel is really pushing their tdps down with their new string of processors.

On the other hand, if you absolutely need the new rig NOW. Then go with the Sandy Bridge-E (seeing as you are doing 3d work, you definitely want the extra threads and processing power, you will notice the difference greatly). But if you do have the chance to wait, then I suggest waiting because Haswell and Ivy Bridge-E will be released roughly around the same time.

Update: Sandy Bridge-E uses the socket 2011, and the Ivy Bridge-E will use the same socket meaning you will have no problem finding the perfect motherboard as there are already loads of them.

Austin
 

RabidSnail

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Thanks again. If it is that close then It is definitely worth the wait. I wanted this build done by the end of August at the latest, but Even if i have to wait till September, I think It is worth it. Not my Ideal Situation, but worth it none the less
 

AustinS

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Hope you are happy with the choice, although if the processors are released later on, I am truly sorry, this is leaked info from Engadget and VR-zone as well as a few other sources that I have read on, but it should be quite an accurate depiction of the release date based on Haswell and Sandy Bridge-E's release date two years ago.
I hope all this helped you out.

Austin
 
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RabidSnail

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In my googling there seems to be a lot of skepticism whether they are even going to release a IB-E processor. But after your last post I did see the leaked photo as well. It makes me comfortable that they at least are going to release one. Im in no rush for a new desktop, just wanted it before I start Graduate school in September. But other than desire there is nothing defining my time frame. You were a great help and I really appreciate your assistance.