Time to switch?

[a sandwhich]

I plan to build a computer and I am hoping to obtain all of the parts by mid January. For all previous builds I have used amd, and I have been rather pleased, and I was originally planning on using bulldozer for this one, but it seems as though it is slightly under performing. I have a budget of ~$1400, and I will spend most time working in cs5, lightwave, autocad, or playing bf3 and some other slightly intensive games at 1600x1200. I am also looking for some relatively long term socket support, so should I stick with bulldozer(8150), or go with a sandybridge(-e?). Another thing, I intend to use an amd graphics card, will it perform more optimally with an amd cpu or does it not matter which manufacturer? Thanks.

 

[jenkas]

The better option for you is:

*i7 2600k (doesn't matter if you gonna use ATI or nvidia)
*8Gb DDR3 1600MHz but with that budget you can get 16Gb, for better results with the CS5
*The motherboard of you choice, dependes if you want SLI/crossfireX or not and if you gonna use the OC capabilities be sure to get a P67 or Z68 mobo
*OCZ agility 3 120Gb SSD
*case of your choice, i recomend the CM690 II advance
*1TB HDD for storage
*I don't use CS5 but i think a BLU-RAY will be nice instead a DVD
*a good PSU i say 800W if you dont use SLI or crossfirei X, if you do a little more power will be need it

i can tell the 4cores of teh 2600k will kick all 8core from the bulldozer easy

 

[jaguarskx]

As long as the programs you use are capable of using 6 cores, then a Sandy Bridge-E can be worth the investment.

How long will socket 2011 exist is unknown to me. I assume there will be an Ivy Bridge-E coming out at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013, but I have not done the research. The typical shelf life of Intel sockets since 2006 has been around 2 years before they are retired.

 

[jenkas]

As long as the programs you use are capable of using 6 cores, then a Sandy Bridge-E can be worth the investment.

How long will socket 2011 exist is unknown to me. I assume there will be an Ivy Bridge-E coming out at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013, but I have not done the research. The typical shelf life of Intel sockets since 2006 has been around 2 years before they are retired.

I think he will no need 6cores, with just 4cores ans 8 threads if more than enought, the LGA1155 will do the job for at least 2 years more, everything else will be overkill and the extra money he can get a good firepro card, i think cs5 will benefit more with that dont you think

 

[a sandwhich]

I have already decided on two 6950s in crossfire, but I am hesitant on the sandybridge e due to the price. It is also in my opinion that am3+ will outlast lga 1155 and 2011, is my opinion somewhat correct?

 

[amuffin]

I have already decided on two 6950s in crossfire, but I am hesitant on the sandybridge e due to the price. It is also in my opinion that am3+ will outlast lga 1155 and 2011, is my opinion somewhat correct?

Am3+ will not outlast 1155 and 2011, piledriver may or may not be released, regardless it is the last line of amd cpu's.

 

[Chad Boga]

Am3+ will not outlast 1155 and 2011, piledriver may or may not be released, regardless it is the last line of amd cpu's.

Whilst I agree with you that AM3+ will not outlast 1155 and 2011, I'm not so sure that Piledriver is the last line of AMD cpu's.

AMD will probably give up the high end CPU market and concentrate on products like Llano(which don't fit into AM3+)

 

[jenkas]

Whilst I agree with you that AM3+ will not outlast 1155 and 2011, I'm not so sure that Piledriver is the last line of AMD cpu's.

AMD will probably give up the high end CPU market and concentrate on products like Llano(which don't fit into AM3+)

That's will be a samrt move from AMD, no matter all that AMD fans say, in high end intel is #1 without any doubt, in fact in mexico are almost at the same price AMD and intel so there no market here a 20 -30% less perfomance CPU at the same price????, is a shame that in mexico many people don't know and buy the amd for save just like 10 dollars or less, if you are a hardcore PC user get intel LGA 1155 or LGA 2011, maybe the LGA 1156 will beat the AM3+, just maybe

 

[blacksci]

Amd throwing in the towel means a end to future socket support. Intel doesnt believe in it, since they make more money with there model, and amd is already running on old tech- no future in the past man.

 

[a sandwhich]

So I should stick with intel? Ok, it seems as though the only one that is currently 'reasonable' is the 2600k, by going with it, will I just be knocked out with ivybridge in two months?

 

[Chad Boga]

So I should stick with intel? Ok, it seems as though the only one that is currently 'reasonable' is the 2600k, by going with it, will I just be knocked out with ivybridge in two months?

Ivy Bridge will probably be available in 3 to 4 months, not 2 months, if that makes any difference.

 

[a sandwhich]

Well, I intend to buy in january. I am also noticing that none of the lga 1155 boards support two pci x16 @ x16, will this hinder the performance of the two 6950s, or is there not enough distinction between x16 and x8 for it to matter.

 

[Chad Boga]

Well, I intend to buy in january. I am also noticing that none of the lga 1155 boards support two pci x16 @ x16, will this hinder the performance of the two 6950s, or is there not enough distinction between x16 and x8 for it to matter.

There isn't enough distinction to matter, but closer to Ivy Bridge's launch will be new lga 1155 motherboards with an updated chipset and I think some of those will give two pci x16 @ x16.

 

[blacksci]

Actually, if your willing to pay 260 bucks asrock has a 5 lane 16x mobo in 1155 flavor. Also the current tech of video cards is still not pushing the boundaries of what pci express is able to hold at 8x. Ivy bridge engineering samples right now are showing about a 10 % increase over 2600k with what looks like similar price points, they were looking at sales of 1k units. So the question becomes are you gonna wait for 3 months to see a 10 % increase?

 

[a sandwhich]

Ok, I have decided on which parts to use. Do you see any flaws with them, such as compatibility issues? Also, will i be able to put in another 6950 with this psu?
Case - Rosewill Thor V2
GPU - HIS IceQ X Turbo H695QNT2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB
PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2
RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBRL
CPU - Intel Core i7-2600K
Mobo - ASUS P8P67 DELUXE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67
SSD - OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-90G 2.5" 90GB

 

[truegenius]

(very hard to say but) its time to switch to intel

i think you can manage i7-2700k
and why hd 6950 why not a gtx580

 

[a sandwhich]

the 2700k is $70 more with only a 100 mhz increase. I choose the 6950 because I am still an amd fan, and it has eyefinity, something i intend to make use of. And the 580 is +$150 more.

 

[truegenius]

what about phyx of nvidia

 

[a sandwhich]

Does it matter? The 580 is out of my immediate price range, and I honestly prefer the 6950.

 

[truegenius]

you can have phyx with a ati system
you can use any cheap phyx capable nvidia card and can use them (both nvidia and ati at same time) only by installing both cards and both drivers and a mod (you can search web), seems risky though

(i know it is off topic but this is the new thing that i learned and i was wondering to share it)

 

[a sandwhich]

Well, aside from the gpu, are there any issues with these parts and system?

 

[truegenius]

a board with z68 chipset will be better

 

[a sandwhich]

Why? What advantage does it have over p67? All of the boards I am seeing with the specs that best suited are either too expensive or poorly rated. Will I be losing quality with p67?

 

[truegenius]

z68 is good for k series

 

[a sandwhich]

Ok, if I change to mobo selection to the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 LGA 1155, does everything still work fine?