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[Solved] Intel Core i7 860 vs. Intel Core i7 920

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - [Solved] Intel Core i7 860 vs. Intel Core i7 920

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Best answer from Maziar.

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CrossCut49   10-30-2009 at 09:16:14 PM

I have recently decided to build a computer on Black Friday, and I have changed my plans on builds over the past couple of months. Originally, it was going to be an i7 920 - then it moved to an i5 - and then I realized they had the Core i7 860, which is newer and manages to use less power.

Currently, I'm sold on the 860. However, my brother, who will also be building a computer - said that he read 920 was better for overclocking, which is what I was planning.

So, what do you guys think? If I'm overclocking, should I go with the Core i7 860 - or 920. And if one or the other, are there any preferable motherboards? Do you recommend Asus?

Thanks! ;)

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Best answer from Maziar
Here is a good review:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] spx?i=3641

"Perhaps this is a bit anticlimactic, but the Core i7 860 performs exactly where you'd expect it to. It's faster than a Core i5 750, faster than a Core i7 920 and slower than a Core i7 870. As I noted in The Lynnfield Follow Up, overclocking is much easier on Bloomfield (LGA-1366) thanks to the absence of an on-die PCIe controller. It's not impossible on Lynnfield, it's just effortless on Bloomfield.

My recommendations from the initial Lynnfield review still stand, you'll want to opt for Bloomfield processor if you care about:

1) High-end multi-GPU performance (or other uses of high bandwidth PCIe)
2) Stock Voltage Overclocking
3) Future support for 6-core Gulftown CPUs

In terms of cost effectiveness however - the Core i7 860 is the way to go. With cheaper motherboards and higher operating frequencies than a Core i7 920, for the majority of users the 860 will be the better pick. Here's where the discussion gets interesting however."
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daship   10-30-2009 at 09:41:53 PM

Id go for i7 920 cause it over clocks like a champion, and the x58 mobos will support i9 and p55s wont.

Asus are great motherboards!

I used to use them exclusive, but now I use alot of Gigabyte also, because
gigabyte are more Mac friendly, and I like to dual boot Snow leopard and Win 7.

Reply to daship
Maziar   10-30-2009 at 10:37:05 PM
Best answer

Here is a good review:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] spx?i=3641

"Perhaps this is a bit anticlimactic, but the Core i7 860 performs exactly where you'd expect it to. It's faster than a Core i5 750, faster than a Core i7 920 and slower than a Core i7 870. As I noted in The Lynnfield Follow Up, overclocking is much easier on Bloomfield (LGA-1366) thanks to the absence of an on-die PCIe controller. It's not impossible on Lynnfield, it's just effortless on Bloomfield.

My recommendations from the initial Lynnfield review still stand, you'll want to opt for Bloomfield processor if you care about:

1) High-end multi-GPU performance (or other uses of high bandwidth PCIe)
2) Stock Voltage Overclocking
3) Future support for 6-core Gulftown CPUs

In terms of cost effectiveness however - the Core i7 860 is the way to go. With cheaper motherboards and higher operating frequencies than a Core i7 920, for the majority of users the 860 will be the better pick. Here's where the discussion gets interesting however."

Reply to Maziar
ulysses35   10-30-2009 at 10:52:05 PM

i7 902 and Asus P6T series mobo.... fantastic performance at stock and even better when overclocked

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to ulysses35
CrossCut49   10-30-2009 at 11:23:46 PM

ulysses35 wrote :

i7 902 and Asus P6T series mobo.... fantastic performance at stock and even better when overclocked



This is what I was originally planning, but plans change ;). I may have to go back to this plan, if what most of you are saying is true.

Do you guys expect Black Friday to carry good deals on the i7's and the P6T?

Reply to CrossCut49
era86   10-31-2009 at 12:16:02 AM

Just my small 2 cents.. the 860 overclocks well with less power consumption. Most definately not as high as the D0 920, but it can get a decent amount on air.

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 Reply to era86
DokkRokken   10-31-2009 at 12:33:48 AM

Frankly, it seems that when it comes down to the P55/i7 860 vs the X58/i7 920 solution, it makes more sense to spend a little more to go the X58 route. A good X58 board like the AsRock X58 Extreme doesn't cost too much more than a good P55 one, and the price gap between a 6GB Tri-Channel kit and a Dual Channel 4GB kit has narrowed quite a bit. What you get in return for the relatively small amount of extra cash is a much more premium platform, that'll likely offer more expandability in the future.

Reply to DokkRokken
Zenthar   10-31-2009 at 04:51:32 AM

IMO the biggest gain from going i7 has, ironically, nothing to do with the i7 itself, it's the upgradability to i9 provided by the LGA1366 socket. I must admit there is one thing I hate above all on the new iX series, it's the socket segregation between mid and high level.

Reply to Zenthar
CrossCut49   10-31-2009 at 04:52:15 AM

I appreciate all the advice. It appears from your posts, that 860 may be a newer product - but not made for newer/future technology.

Looks like you guys have convinced me to go the X58 route. Imma go with the old route, the i7 with the P6T Deluxe V2. Thanks to everyone ;)

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to CrossCut49
Zenthar   10-31-2009 at 05:07:42 AM

CrossCut49 wrote :

It appears from your posts, that 860 may be a newer product - but not made for newer/future technology

There is still no news about a potential 6 cores LGA1156; it could be possible, but unfortunately only speculative right now.

Reply to Zenthar
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