Intel 1155 or wait til next generation?

[j3vr6]

My PSU is dying and I need to decide now whether or not it’s time for an upgrade or if I should wait until the next generation. My pc has also been overheating ever since I built it, so I know I also need a new case and fan. I’ve been an AMD fanboy for a while, but this time I am going to go with Intel.

My quandary is whether I should wait for the next gen of socket, or go with 1155. I want something to last me a few years and is upgradable, so I need to know if I can still go with the 1155, or should wait for the next socket to come out and just upgrade my case, heatsink, and PSU with the plan to reuse them for the next build.

I currently have:

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

CPU Fan: Stock

MOBO: MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223

Memory: Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220333

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100281-3SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883

Case: Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129152

I play at 1080 resolution on a 23 inch lcd monitor and can play most games on high settings right now, except for Metro 2033 and BF3 mulitplayer.

I was going to go with a Socket 1155 and a 2500k or 3570k, but want future proofing in case I want to swap out for something faster later. If the replies push me towards getting the 1155 now, I’ll write up a follow up post for build ideas.

So… what would YOU do?

 

[FinneousPJ]

I think your CPU is still fine and will carry you over to Haswell and maybe farther.

 

[DavidY]

If the problem is only the PS, get a new quality PS....at least 550-600 watt. Upsize to 700+ watt if you want to crossfire. 600 watt PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk3 S600 (Seasonic) or 620 watt Antec HCG-620 (Seasonic) would be my two choices. 550 watt XFX Core Edition 550 watt Pro Series (Seasonic) would also work....it's a little noisier however. If under a strict budget, there is a 600 watt OCZ ZS series (Sirtec). All are Bronze certified.

If you go 1155, go with an Ivy Bridge CPU (i5-3450 or better).

Dave

 

[Temile]

1155 will be fine for several years. There are lots of them and lots of parts, so upgrades will be plentiful. Haswell and 1150 may not be out for 12 more months.

 

[g-unit1111]

If gaming is what you're going for - games are far more GPU dependent than CPU dependent these days. Having a good CPU helps, but having a good GPU will help further.

I definitely agree you should look into getting a new PSU.

 

[jsrudd]

Intel has said that they're sticking with LGA 2011 for at least four more years if you want to go really high end.

 

[j3vr6]

Are there any heatsink/fan combo that would be compatible with the AM3 that will be future compatible with 2011 or Haswell?

 

[g-unit1111]

Are there any heatsink/fan combo that would be compatible with the AM3 that will be future compatible with 2011 or Haswell?

First off why would you go AM3? Second - there's no telling what socket Haswell will use - it will most likely be a variation of LGA 1155 or 2011. So you really can't future proof a CPU cooler when you're basing it around a socket that doesn't exist yet.

 

[j3vr6]

First off why would you go AM3?

As I originally posted, I currently have an AM3 (Phenom II x4 955). My original post was to figure out if I should just wait til next gen or stick with my current system and just upgrade the parts I need right now. Since most of you all recommended I just stick it out with what I have, I was asking if there was something that would be future proof.

Second - there's no telling what socket Haswell will use - it will most likely be a variation of LGA 1155 or 2011. So you really can't future proof a CPU cooler when you're basing it around a socket that doesn't exist yet.

Thanks, that makes sense. I know the Noctua NH-D14 heatsink came out later with a bracket that made it 2011 compatible, so thought maybe that was the norm.... But yea, heatsinks aren't that expensive if i have to buy a new one when I go next gen.

 

[g-unit1111]

As I originally posted, I currently have an AM3 (Phenom II x4 955). My original post was to figure out if I should just wait til next gen or stick with my current system and just upgrade the parts I need right now. Since most of you all recommended I just stick it out with what I have, I was asking if there was something that would be future proof.





Thanks, that makes sense. I know the Noctua NH-D14 heatsink came out later with a bracket that made it 2011 compatible, so thought maybe that was the norm.... But yea, heatsinks aren't that expensive if i have to buy a new one when I go next gen.

Yeah the Phenom II isn't that great but it will get by for a while. Where you'll notice the most improvement on any build is with the GPU.

Heatsinks are important but they're very inexpensive and you can replace them easily.

 

[j3vr6]

Best answer selected by J3Vr6.