MechanixOne

Distinguished
Sep 30, 2007
7
0
18,510
Hello,
CP is offering a free upgrade from an i7 930 to a i7 940 with a new system. Is the free upgrade worth it or should i stick with the 930? I would like to be overclocked at 4ghz minimum. Thanks in advance.
 
if you're going to overclock, then there would be no difference. The i7 940 has a higher multiplier, but is based on the C0 batch. The i7 930 will have a lower multiplier, but is the superior D0 batch.

Both will overclock to 4GHz, and the i7 930 might OC with lower voltages.
 

LePhuronn

Distinguished
Apr 20, 2007
1,950
0
19,960
Personally I'd agree with Bluescreendeath - if you're overclocking then I'd go with the D0 stepping for the improved power consumption.

Both CPUs should hit 4GHz but the 930 will do it a bit cooler, and that's the important thing.
 

LePhuronn

Distinguished
Apr 20, 2007
1,950
0
19,960



Um, didn't you say you wanted to OC to 4GHz MINIMUM? Best of luck doing that on a C0 stepping. C0 and D0 steppings will make a HUGE difference to what you want to do - 3.8GHz will be your limit I reckon on C0, D0 will/should get there a hell of a lot easier.

Still, it's a free upgrade so if you really can't get the OC you want you can always sell the 940 for enough money to get a 930 and make a tiny profit!

In fact actually that's what I'd do - get the 940 free upgrade and immediately sell it, get a 930 and have a bit of cash left over.
 

yanje03

Distinguished
Jul 26, 2010
162
0
18,690
I would say be ware to use that free upgrade. i7 930 sell for $300 or less by most vendor. 940 sell for $550 from most vendor. it is so suspicious to me when they offer free upgrade. I also saw 1 of 100 online shop sell 940 with $289. I have a big question mark here, why they sell 940 so cheap. either Intel drop the price on it (never heard it so far) or there is some defect we don't know yet.
 

LePhuronn

Distinguished
Apr 20, 2007
1,950
0
19,960


Or they're just clearing stock because the 940 is old hat and superseded by the 950. Normally I'd be wary of unusual deals like this, but to suggest they're getting rid of the 940 so easily because of a defect is possibly a tiny bit paranoid.

Besides, it's a C0 stepping so there were a few minor flaws with the silicon!
 

MechanixOne

Distinguished
Sep 30, 2007
7
0
18,510
Great news! CP sent me the new deal they just started. I thought i was getting the 940 for the 930 price but instead they sent me their 950 for the 930 priced deal. Im so excited because the 950 is D0 stepping. Woohoo!