Workstation build - 3930k or wait for SBE Xeon, Ivybridge

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs Workstation build - 3930k or wait for SBE Xeon, Ivybridge

My budget is ~$2500 for everything, excluding peripherals. Primary use will be for Motion Graphics/Video Editing. 3930k seems like a good fit for me right now. With Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge-E Xeons right around the corner, is there any reason for me to wait with the budget I have? I am not quite sure how to translate specs into expected performance.

For example, the upcoming Xeon E5 1620 has four cores at 3.6ghz at $294. This may be completely ignorant, but if I were to build a dual cpu setup with the aforementioned Xeon, is it realistic to think it will be faster because of the two extra cores and slightly higher clock speed? With no hex core IB chips, is it even worth considering them?

Reply to prylex3

I would expect the duel xeons to perform better. 8 real cores > 6 core + 6 fake cores any day. You also have to check your software to see how well it scales to a dual cpu setup.

Message edited by esrever on 01-25-2012 at 05:05:01 AM

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Reply to esrever

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can use that CPU in a dual proc configuration. You'd have to go with something like the 2609 for that same price but that's only a 2.4ghz part.

Reply to AdamUCF

I would say i7-3930k, but what programs do you use? 3d?

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Reply to amuffin

Quote :

Oh man, that does seem much more sensical. I did not even think about Xeons not having the ability to be paired.

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I would say i7-3930k, but what programs do you use? 3d?

Cinema 4D and After Effects are my bread and butter. I am in the process of learning Maya, Nuke and Premier.

Reply to prylex3

Ah cinema 4d, I really wish it supported gpu rendering Here is something you may want to check out: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1773/10/ Basically a 3930k will have around the same performance as the 3960x.