What are the chances the 32nm i7s will need new mb?

[curio42002]

Considering building a Core i7 system, but Intel often requires changes in chipsets for new processors. What's your opinion on the likelihood that the 32 nm Core i7's, when they come out next year, will be drop-in compatible with today's motherboards? These motherboards are expensive enough that I really don't want to have to change them a year out -- if that is likely, I'll probably just make do for a while. In a year the motherboards for Core i7 ought to be cheaper and less buggy anyway. But if they will probably work for the next gen i7's I might just go ahead now anyway -- those processors look sweet!

So what's your opinion?

 

[badgtx1969]

99% chance you'll need a new MB

Intel's chipsets are usually backwards compatible not forwards despite the same socket

 

[CompuTronix]

As with the Socket 775 die shrink from 65nm to 45nm, Socket 1336 will be compatible for the die shrink from 45nm to 32nm.

 

[FatFunkey]

AH yes but remember only certian motherboards that are 775 Socket can support 65nm and 45nm

99.99999% chance your going to need a new Mobo due to what Intel will call "power requirements" for 32nm..

Hints im just gonna be happy with my Q6600.... Not worth the cash to get a new mobo, cpu and ddr3 atm imo

 

[CompuTronix]

AH yes but remember only certian motherboards that are 775 Socket can support 65nm and 45nm

Like the following Chipsets?

■P45

■X48

■X38

■P35

■P965

■975X (now 3+ years old)

 

[FatFunkey]

Only certain motherboards though can use a 45nm..if im correct i think maybe 2-4 (MAX) 975X Mobos (the only one that comes to mind is the one made by Asus ), even smaller number of 965s, and the P35+ and up were made for 45nm.

so most everyone updated there P965 and 975X mobos because of this, later yes more motherboard manufactures made a BIOS fix to use them but it was far and few and was buggy due to mainly Intel pushing for people to buy the P35 and up chipset/Motherboards)

 

[V3NOM]

i have a gut feeling the 32nm's wont just be a die shrink - they will have some added features which will require a new mobo to work. I'm guessing it will still be backwards compatible with those features turned off though.

 

[blackwidow_rsa]

theyll be backwards compatible if intel already released their vrm specs for 32 which i doubt. unless the 32 shrink has the same vrm as 45

 

[randomizer]

Maybe. With Intel, it's always a "maybe".

 

[V3NOM]

As is nVidia

 

[3lvis]

Why stop at the motherboard........

32nm i7's CPU's may need even lower voltage memory. Since the memory controller for i7 is on the CPU ...a die shrink may affect the type of memory that can be used without frying the CPU.

 

[V3NOM]

^true! never thought of that one

 

[croc]

My crystal ball is dusty...

But I can speculate as well as anyone, so here goes... Based on previous S775 die changes, (3? Wasn't there a 90nm cpu in there?) this one will require a BIOS update. Some MB mfg's will accomodate, some won't.

So as the guy at the roulette table says, "You pays your money, and takes your chances." And you can take that to the bank.

 

[jkflipflop98]

You will need a new mobo.

 

[montyuk]

thought they were changing the chip from 1366 to 1066 with the later models?

 

[kubes]

Ya i read somewhere that they were changing the socket for the 32nm chips?

When people ask about building a pc for future proofing and being able to upgrade I basically tell them now they can't. Ussualy when they would need to upgrade something they would need a full new computer anyways. To hard to stay on the leading edge technology curve.

@Elivis
Never thought of that either. That'll be interesting.