LGA 2011 vs. LGA 1366 (A matter of future proofing)

[Dubnoman]

I am doing some homework on computer components before buying a new computer. I was going to go with an i5 3570K, which is great for gaming right now, but I'd like this computer to be well future proofed for the motherboard and CPU. I read that they won't create anymore LGA 1155 CPUs from now on.

Will Intel develop more LGA 2011 and LGA 1366 CPUs in the future, perhaps releasing new ones in the next twelve months, next eighteen months, or possibly even next twenty-four months? If new, better processors would be coming out for either or both LGA 2011 and LGA 1366 processors, I might want to get a computer with a motherboard for one of those socket types. It'd make upgrading in the future easier. I want this computer I'm looking to get to carry me into the next gen of gaming, and then maybe all I'd need is a new CPU in about 4 years, instead of buying a new motherboard as well as a new CPU.

 

[jay_nar2012]

Intel are bringing out their next range of CPUs next year (LGA1150) which is codenamed Haswell.

There are Ivy Bridge-E CPUs coming out next year aswell.

There will be no more 1366 CPUs as 2011 replaced 1366.

 

[Dubnoman]

Thank you for the info. How does the i7 3820 compare to the i5 3570K. Is it significantly better? Do you think if I went with the LGA 2011 socket type/an X79 motherboard, I'd be pretty well future proofed and when I want to upgrade my computer in (let's say) 4 years, an LGA 2011 CPU should be just fine? I figure so, as i7s are currently more than people need for gaming right now.

If I go with an LGA 2011 CPU, I think I will choose the i7 3820.

 

[mocchan]

LGA2011 will most likely outlast any LGA1155 CPU out on the market at the moment, much like LGA1366 did.

Keep in mind, however, that LGA2011 is a totally different market than LGA1155; 2011 is meant for extreme consumers/people who need power while LGA1155 was meant for the everyday consumer.

The i7-3820 will be faster than the i5-3570k in certain applications due to the Hyperthreading it has. Generally speaking, I wouldn't invest in an LGA2011 platform unless I were to go for AT LEAST an i7-3930k. The i7-3820 is the same as any ordinary 1155 i7 with the exception of a few features.

Long story short, there is no such thing as "future-proofing" when it comes to gaming rigs, if you want longevity, either of those solutions will do fine. Games right now don't even take advantage of 4 cores with the exception of a few titles.

 

[jay_nar2012]

The i5 3570K would last for a few years in terms of gaming, both of them will last 4 years but by then they will both be out dated.

You could always wait for haswell then you would have a better upgrade path then getting a 1155 CPU now if you are concerned about future proofing.

LGA 2011 will last longer than LGA 1155 but will eventually be replaced by another socket (can't say when).

The difference in gaming between the two is hardly noticeable.

Here is a comparison of an older CPU (Sandy Bridge 2500K) vs the i7 3820.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/523?vs=288

If you are mostly gaming get the 1155 OR wait for haswell (next year) if you edit videos and images a lot then get the i7, otherwise it would be a waste of money.

 

[Dubnoman]

So I was thinking of going with an i7 3820 and then upgrading in about four years and just getting a better LGA 2011 CPU then, thus avoiding replacing my motherboard then. That isn't a good upgrade plan? I should just get an LGA 1155 motherboard with an i5 3570K and then in about four years just upgrade the motherboard and CPU? I guess I shouldn't concern myself so much with future proofing.


What time next year do the haswell CPUs hit the market?

 

[jay_nar2012]

Like March or April i think, can't be certain, Intel could hold back the CPUs for a while if they wanted to.

 

[vitornob]

Let's say that someone bought the LGA1366 thinking about future proof.
LGA 1366 will complete 4 years in the next november.

If someone with LGA 1366, thinks about upgrading today, they won't buy another LGA 1366 CPU cause a simple i5-2400 is faster than any LGA 1366 cpu today.
Probably they will upgrade to next plataform.

I think this shall apply to you too.

Conclusion: buy what is good today, no need to freak out about future proof. Remember the first people who spent big money on Q6600 when launched (Q1 2007) talking about future proof, that the games would surely use all the cores and etc?
Well, when these games came out the Q6600 was already obsolete.

 

[ebalong]

It doesn't make much sense to try to upgrade "only the cpu" in a few years....the mainstream Skylake chip or whatever that will be around at such a future time will be faster at gaming or anything else than any CPU likely to be based off of the 2011 platform, which may only have new processors made for it through next year (if the rumors of Ivy Bridge-E are true). Just get a 2500K/3570K based system, it will last 3-4 years at least.