I7-920 or i7-960?

conbutts

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Hi, Im currently configuring a new desktop and am unsure as to which cpu I should use. I've decided on the new Radeon 5870 and 6gigs of ram at 1600mhz. My options for the cpu are the i7-920 and the i7-960. Is the difference in price/performance worth it? I have no intention of overclocking so that option is out. i hope to get about 2 years out of this computer and in the mean time I can always upgrade the graphics card and ram if needs be. Which would you choose and why.

thanks
 

andy5174

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Neither! Get i7-860! However, I would definitely get i7-920(out of the two CPUs listed) + 2 x HD5870 if my budget was sufficient for a i7-960+ HD5870!

Furthermore, i7-965 is with the worst and hottest core stepping(version) in the i7-9xx series! There is no D0(much better version) core stepping for i7-960!

Be sure to get D0version i7-920!
 

conbutts

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Hi andy, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the i7-860 configuration doesnt seem to allow tri-channel memory which is what I've chosen so will go with the 920, i think. By the way, what is the 'D0 version i7-920'? In the configuration menu it doesnt state that. How will I know?

thanks
 

andy5174

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The performance difference between dual and tri channel is minimal to non in ALL the applications today.

i7-920 D0
The D0 version(officially called the "Core Stepping") of i7-920 are labeled with the "sSpec Number" of SLBEJ! You can easily find it on the sticker of retail box. See the attached picture.(note: The i7-920 shown is a C0/BAD version instead of the better D0 )
i7.2009619104834.jpg
 

keithblue2

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Well, you probably have your new system now (any reports on what you got & how it's working?) -- but fwiw I agree with Andy5174: get the i7-860 unless you legitimately have extreme performance needs. I had the same question, did a LOT of research on the web & forums, and wrote up a summary of the differences between the two CPUs. -- Keith

http://computingkeith.com/2010/02/10/choosing-a-new-cpu-intel-i7-920-vs-i7-860-2/