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The Big Intel Core i7 thread

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Kitrax, Jan 24, 2009.

  1. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    Well, Intel isn’t giving AMD a chance to breathe...they’ve already released a few of the new Core i7 CPUs. These new chips use the Nehalem architecture, and get a new socket (LGA 1366)...which kind of sucks for those of us with a LGA775 mobo. :bad: With this new chip, Intel has finally brought the memory controller into the CPU itself, has 4 cores on the same die, and has brought back Hyper Threading (it works this time). From the articles I’ve read, the new chips smoke everything they’ve been put up against, including the Core 2 Extreme QX9770.

    One thing I found odd, is that Intel is already planning on releasing *another* new socket...the LGA1066 later this year. Apparently Intel is going to be supporting both sockets at the same time... :skeptic:

    Anyway, discuss away! :D
     
  2. Taza

    Taza Weird Modmaker Veteran

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    I'm so not upgrading yet. A new socket, another socket coming in, no experience, triple channeling and DDR3 only?

    Yeah, I think patience is in order.
     
  3. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I'm not due for another upgrade for at least 2 years and by then there'll probably be a new socket out again. :shake:

    Though I haven't bought an Intel processor in years; until recently AMD has had a way better price/performance ratio.
     
  4. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    I don't plan on upgrading to a i7 either...I'm planning on a Core 2 Quad Q9650 in 1-2 years as an upgrade to my C2D 8400...maybe I'll upgrade my CPU & mobo 1-2 years after that.

    In 4 more years the entire industry will have changed...AMD might not even exist at that point...well, one can only hope. :evil:
     
  5. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Intel fanboy or not, that'd only be a very bad thing for the industry as a whole, as well as the consumers.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2009
  6. Saber

    Saber A revolution without dancing is not worth having! Veteran

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    True, you need competition or Intel will destroy everything.
     
  7. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    Yeah...I know.
    Lack of competition = no new R&D. However, after years of being at the end of the AMD fanboys' jokes, it's fun seeing their beloved CPU vendor not only lagging behind the current technology, but barely clinging to life! :evil:

    (note: The word "vendor" was used...because as one of AMD's own once put it, "Real men have fabs." :p )
     
  8. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
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    They still are thanks to the new AMD Phenom 940 and 920 CPUs.

    Here is a great link comparing AMD 940 and Intel's Q9400

    When I reviewed all of the reviews on the AMD 940 I noticed that most of the websites were still using 800 speed ram instead of 1066 speed ram, which would impact the CPU performance when compared to Intel systems with 1066+ speed ram. This was the first article I read that used the same ram when testing the AMD 940 vs. Intel Q9400.

    As for AMD, hey still offer the best price for performance. The savings that a consumer receives from AMD could allow them to make a small upgrade to their GPU, which is where most of the performance is for games.

    Which setup would you rather have below if everything else was the same?

    AMD 940, on a 790GX or 780G, and a 4850 / 9800 GTX

    or

    Intel Q9400, on a P43 or P45, and a 4830 / 9600 GT


    I leaning towards the AMD system given how it is very competive to Intel's CPU and it overs the better GPU for longevity of the system.

    In fact, the average consumer would not even buy the system above. They would end up buying a 920 on a 780G chipset without any GPU.


    As for the I7 I do love the system and would love to have one, but they are way too expensive. Intel does have a step up on AMD for the high end systems. If I had the money today; I would buy the most expensive setup but that setup would be outdated in 2 months and would be about 25% cheapter than what it is today.

    Does the i7 systems improve GPU performance compared to Core Duo or AMD AM2+ systems?
     
  9. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    From what I've read, the new platform includes a "direct link" to the PCIe lanes so the CPU doesn't have to go through the NB/SB chips first. Whether or not that will improve GPU performance, I can't say.
     
  10. TrueBlueAussie Gems: 17/31
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    Im looking into buying a new desktop sometime soon and at this point I believe Ill be going with the i7. Seems like a good performaer and seeing as Im buying an entirely new system, the soket issue doesnt bother me.
     
  11. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
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    Good performer??? It is the best system setup on the market right now for consumers. If you have the cash don't bother with any other setup.
     
  12. Merlanni

    Merlanni Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Yes I 7 is faster, but the boost in performance is not worth the price period. No matter if you want to buy amd or intel. Even if I have to buy new and have enough money it is still not worth it.
     
  13. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    I just upgraded to an Intel Quad 9450 three months ago, and with a vista score of 5.9 there is no perceptible lack of performance. That I couldn't afford it aside, it would mean new MoBo, CPU, RAM, cooler... the cost of an upgrade it would add up to some $ 800 or more right now. It would basically junk my recent investment :bad:

    Rather, I might go for an SSD raid some time late in this or the next year. Then I'd upgrade my graphics card. That said, I think my ATI 4870 appears to be able to last at least a little longer on my 19". If all that doesn't work, I'd go for a new CPU. In any event, that approach is far more economical. All that say reason and budget.

    Now, if I had the money to ignore reason the matter would look differently :shake: deep inside I do want a Core i7 (or that coffee table computer, or a 60" screen for that matter), just for gadgetry, coolness and bragging rights ;)
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2009
  14. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
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    The problem with Intel i5 and i7 systems is that they are not giving there 775 chipset consumers any more upgrade options. The 775 chipset is toast/history. What you see for CPUs on the market is all that intel will produce for the 775. Going forward it is going to be i5 and i7.

    This is where AMD is shining right now. With the release of the AM3 processors, with a mobo update, the older mobos can use the newer AM3 processors. When I upgraded my PC I took a chance because it was an "if" back in late August that the current AM2 and AM2+ mobo would be able to use the AM3 CPUs. Since AMD has comfirmed this the risk I took looks to be the safer bet as I can upgrade my CPU without the need to worry about upgrading my mobo or ram, etc...

    However; if I did have the cash to spend I would be buying a i7 setup. I believe Dell offers a i7 system between $800-900. Which isn't a bad buy when you consider the performance of the i920.
     
  15. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    Wait, what? Are you're saying that Intel is screwing over people with 775 sockets, while AMD isn't? :skeptic: Remember the royal screwing users of Socket 754/939 got when AMD switched to AM2? Sure, AMD is trying to let users run a new chip in an older mobo...but remember, most of the fancy new features that required AMD to make a new socket won't be supported in the old mobo...so what’s the point in buying a new chip if you can’t use its best features?

    Anyway, chip makers don't support sockets forever...Intel and AMD have had over a dozen or so different sockets....this isn't something new, it's to be expected.
     
  16. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    Not to mention their Slot A customers ...
    In a sense, yes. As for socket 775, the Quad 9450 for instance is a good performer, even with predictable obsolescence of socket 775 they'll last for a while. And for those with a 'lesser' 775er CPU, there will probably be processors available for the next one and a half years or so that'll allow them to upgrade. Widespread as the 775 is, they won't simply disappear ingloriously and suddenly as AMD's Slot A chips did.
     
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