System Upgrade

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nocredrs

nocredrs

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Hey guys, Im looking at an upgrade and im wondering if i should just stay with what i have.

Specs:
Core 2 Quad Q8300
8GB DDR2
ASUS P5Q-VM OEM Motherboard
Corsair TX750V2 PSU
Corsair 600T White Case
750GB Seagate/500GB Seagate @ 7200RPM

Im looking to Run Battlefield 3, and some newer games. Im also wondering how much of a FPS difference in games it will be if i get a new Motherboard since my OEM board doesn't support Overclocking. I probably will buy a nice Socket 775 Board to bring my 2.5GHz to in the 3GHz Range. Also, Ive heard that there is no need to get DDR3 Ram with Core 2 Quads, Because of a 1333 FSB.. But can't you just up the FSB? Thanks.. Im New to OCING But ive got everything down and how to do it.
 
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wintermint

wintermint

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What graphic card are you running? I would get at least gtx 460/hd 6850/hd 6870 for a good gaming experience. If you do plan to upgrade, hop on the 1155 socket instead. You can get a budget gaming cpu that matches to quad core almost twice it's price aka Intel Core i3 2100 for $125. You can also grab a H61/H67 motherboard for no more than $80. That's $200 for cpu and mobo. The graphic cards I suggested above range from $120-150 after MIR. You will need to get ddr3 instead and you can grab 8gb for $50 or 4gb for $35 but aim for 1600mhz and don't worry so much for the cas latency.
 
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nocredrs

nocredrs

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nocredrs

nocredrs

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Im Really edgy on spending another $500 on a new Processor, Board, RAM because what i got now has been doing fine. People are saying in my other thread to just OC my Q8300 and go from there. But im not Shure, Im also very shure a 2600k is a HUGE upgrade.
 
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chillin15

chillin15

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If you are going with the z68 platform, why not get the XP version of your board - the XP allows for use of the integrated graphics on SB processors

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128507

Getting a z68 without the display outputs is not worth it - you minus well go p67 since z68 offers no gaming performance benefit over the p67
 
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Cygnus x-1

Cygnus x-1

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I agree that you should overclock the crap out of your chip and spend the money on a graphics card. That will give you the most bang for the buck in gaming. SB is a lot more powerful than core 2 no doubt. But a core 2 quad clocked over 3.0ghz is still very capable, and will do well in gaming paired with a good gpu.

 
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jaquith

jaquith

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Gaming is affected by: 1. GPU, 2. CPU, and 3. RAM. You obviously have plenty of RAM.

While the following isn't an exact match to your CPU, it will give you the general 'gist' -> http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/20 ; CPU bottleneck.

IF your FPS >60 FPS then you're wasting your $ upgrading now; otherwise it's an ego thing. IMO - if you're determined to upgrade then wait ~90 days for LGA 2011. The new SB-E will embarrass the current i5/i7 SB. The SB-E CPU's range from est $300 4/4~$1000 6/6.
 
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chillin15

chillin15

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I think he can go either way on this.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-gaming-performance,3007-5.html

Tom recommends: "I don’t recommend upgrading your CPU unless the potential replacement is at least three tiers higher. Otherwise, the upgrade is somewhat parallel and you may not notice a worthwhile difference in game performance."

A 2500k would be 3 tiers higher than your current CPU so you will definitely notice a difference all else being equal. If you can wait, I would wait if not - it's not the worst investment especially if SB-E is delayed.
 
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stingstang

stingstang

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I have a q9550, 4gb ddr2, and a 4870 1gb. According to tom's cpu charts, my processor is better than the current i3 sandybridge cpu's, plus, I can overclock the hell out of this. I'm running it at 3.8 ghz, which yours should also hit, or nearly hit. Your graphics card is also 1 tier better than mine, but I have no worries about playing BF3. If I can play Bulletstorm and crysis 2 at 1650x1080 at max/near max settings (minus AA) then you should be doing fine. Look around the (hundreds of) overclocking forums on this site and see where you get.
I'm not planning on upgrading until either Bulldozer proves itself, or Ivy Bridge comes out.
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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I'd probably go the Upgrade. But jaquith has a very good point " wait ~90 days for LGA 2011. " And weigh the Cost differencial between the I5-2500k/Z68 platform and the SB-E.
Not sure just how much of a gaming improvement there would be (IE Oced 2500k to 4.2->4.6). But the Overall system performance would be a big improvement and allow for some good upgrades downstream - and not a question about upgrade, more a question of when and when he wants to "enjoy" the new system. The Z-series MB would upgrade his USB2 -> 3, Sata II -> III. The z-series would be a boost to any Video encoding done on the side. Probably no effect today, but pci-e goes from 2.1 -> 3.0 on the newer Z68 boards.
 
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jaquith

jaquith

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I THINK you REALLY need to quit quoting me - ever again.

IF you need immediate gratification, get the 'best GPU' for your game(s) today; you'll lose out on PCIe 3.0 GPU(s) 'gains.' A higher-end GPU will be bottlenecked. Wait for the SB-E, my contacts suggest they're produced and ready. The cost differences aren't too great +$150~$250~$500+ depending on CPU. When the LGA 2011/SB-E is available get one, or maybe the bottom will fall out of the P67/Z68 prices.

IF your current rig is toast 'today' then sure LGA 1155.

Information on the forthcoming X79/LGA 2011. It’s worth investigating and evaluate in choosing between the LGA 1155 or LGA 2011. Big differences are 45% CPU increase, PCIe 3.0 support, Quad-Channel, 32-PCIe 3.0 {400% GPU bandwidth gain}, etc.
Link -> http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/item/23517-core-i7-3960x-is-about-47-faster-than-core-i7-990x
Link -> http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2011/06/02/intel-lga2011-motherboard-showcase/1
Link -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_2011
Link -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Bridge#Desktop_processors

Jump 4-Tiers may 5 if what you have works.
 
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chillin15

chillin15

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lol. If you read my earlier post, I wasn't disagreeing with you. Can't we leave past wars in old threads?

In any case, I quoted you again :)
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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jaquith - Nice read!!!
This is what I gleamed.
But think your price diff a bit on the low side, if prices hold to link Lowest "k" unlocked proc is like $530 Up about $300 from i5-2500k + what ever on the MB. About $75 for 3820 (Locked CPU) vs i5-2500k
TDP 95->130W
Dropped on die iGP - not a factor for the vast majory, but I liked.
Agree not likely to drop i5-2500k/MB prices.
The 47% is a coparision between the two Top end (Ouch, both out of my price range) not sure of i5-2500 vs the 3930k.


Have to run to a meeting, But I think I'll be sticking with My i5-2500k for awhile.
 
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jaquith

jaquith

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I updated/edited my pricing while I was being quoted, and took into account the two 6-core SB-E {The cost differences aren't too great +$150~$250~$500+}. The +$150~$250 is for the 4-core and added MOBO 'guessing' costs. I had no doubts there would be a $1K CPU from the get go, but I was/am disappointed from the lack of forthcoming 8-core SB-E.

I have a 980X 6-core and in retrospect and it's duration of great service one 'could' argue the cost justification. It's all about your wallet. ;)
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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From what I've seen:
Quotes
It is said that Intel would have made some changes to its launch roadmap, delaying the departure of its processors Sandy Bridge-E, x79, lga-2011 release date from Q4 of this 2011 to January 2012.

The release date of these Sandy Bridge-E processors is unknown at this time, some reports suggesting that these will be out in Q1 2012. However, the latest rumors to reach the Web state that a 2011 launch could still be possible, but the CPUs will include a limited feature set that lacks PCI Express 3.0 support.

 
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jaquith

jaquith

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I am expecting a November release of the SB-E/LGA 2011, everything has been consistent to that time frame.

What has been controversial is the ability to BCLK OC and what does 'Limited Unlock' mean. If you can BCLK + CPU Mutiplier OC then the Limited Unlock might be perfectly fine. Currently, I have an i7 980X and I do both to OC.

Core i7 3960X 6 12 3.30GHz 3.90GHz Fully Unlocked 6 x 256KB 15MB 130W November 2011 $999
Core i7 3930K 6 12 3.20GHz 3.80GHz Limited Unlock 6 x 256KB 12MB 130W November 2011 $583
Core i7 3820 4 8 3.60GHz 3.90GHz Locked 4 x 256KB 10MB 130W November 2011 $294

Core i7 3960X (X) is the 2011 Extreme version, and Core i7 Extreme 3980X for Q1 2012.
 
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