Community,
I'm currently researching building a new gaming computer and it seems things have gotten significantly more involved with the current-day processors, so I'm going to need a little advice. My current rig is running a C2D (E6750) from 2007, so I've been a little out of the loop.
As it is, there's strong temptation of a Sandy Bridge 2600K with the intent of swapping into an Ivy Bridge by means of a Z77 motherboard (I admittedly haven't done research of Z77 boards yet beyond the Wikipedia page.) However, I'm aware of the upcoming X79 (specifically Patsburg D) specification that, at least as far as some seemingly not-yet-finalized specs are concerned, will be able to run PCIe 3.0 in x16/x16/x8 configuration. I'm planning to use two graphics cards, so this is admittedly a nice step up from the x8/x8 setup the Ivy Bridge will be able to handle. So I'm a bit torn, to say the least. The inclusion of USB 3.0 in Ivy Bridge capabilities also sweetens the deal in that direction. I guess I'm wondering if there is anything I've missed in my research, or how great the performance difference will really be (I have my feelings, but I also trust the community of people who follow this sort of thing closer than myself).
Currently the most demanding games the rig will be running will be Battlefield 3 or Metro 2033, depending on your opinions, but I do want a significant bit of future proofing.
Thanks in advance!
I'm currently researching building a new gaming computer and it seems things have gotten significantly more involved with the current-day processors, so I'm going to need a little advice. My current rig is running a C2D (E6750) from 2007, so I've been a little out of the loop.
As it is, there's strong temptation of a Sandy Bridge 2600K with the intent of swapping into an Ivy Bridge by means of a Z77 motherboard (I admittedly haven't done research of Z77 boards yet beyond the Wikipedia page.) However, I'm aware of the upcoming X79 (specifically Patsburg D) specification that, at least as far as some seemingly not-yet-finalized specs are concerned, will be able to run PCIe 3.0 in x16/x16/x8 configuration. I'm planning to use two graphics cards, so this is admittedly a nice step up from the x8/x8 setup the Ivy Bridge will be able to handle. So I'm a bit torn, to say the least. The inclusion of USB 3.0 in Ivy Bridge capabilities also sweetens the deal in that direction. I guess I'm wondering if there is anything I've missed in my research, or how great the performance difference will really be (I have my feelings, but I also trust the community of people who follow this sort of thing closer than myself).
Currently the most demanding games the rig will be running will be Battlefield 3 or Metro 2033, depending on your opinions, but I do want a significant bit of future proofing.
Thanks in advance!