Intel Sandy Bridge Quad-Core Processor Tested

[HillBeast]

It is important to note that Windows 7 will support AVX only after updating to Service Pack 1, and that Coolaler is testing this chip on Windows 7 pre-SP1.

Wouldn't AVX also require software support as well as OS support? Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe when SSE2 and SSE3 came out it didn't give a boost to older programs. I'm probably wrong on that but if that's the case, then we may not see a boost until developers incorporate it into their software.

 

[34.50]

SRSLY Intel WTF. I built a 1156 system in October, and I thought 1156 would stick around for quite some time like 775, and this is my first real desktop, outdated and not really upgradable since I have the i7 860 (which for me is more than enough of a CPU atm). Now I'm pissed that I have no upgrade path, thanks Intel.

 

[btarunr]

Done. 1366 is epic and will still be epic for a while to come.

LGA-1366 is also going to get a replacement around the same time. It's called LGA-2011 (on-die 32-lane PCI-E for 2~4 graphics cards; Quad-Channel DDR3 IMC; single-chip PCH-type chipset).

 

[a_ump]

dam, i bet S2011 with the on die PCI-E lanes will improve multi-card scaling some, less bottleneck.

 

[HillBeast]

LGA-1366 is also going to get a replacement around the same time. It's called LGA-2011 (on-die 32-lane PCI-E for 2~4 graphics cards; Quad-Channel DDR3 IMC; single-chip PCH-type chipset).

I know. My point still stands, 1366 is going to still be epic.

 

[btarunr]

I know. My point still stands, 1366 is going to still be epic.

It doesn't. It's nearing the end of the line for LGA-1366, the last model will a Gulftown based six-core chip (i7 970), after which LGA-2011 and its 8-core chips will take over. After that your Core i7 Extreme will be as "epic" as Core 2 Extreme is now (it's not).

 

[slyfox2151]

IMO have a cry for all those who are bitching about intel changing sockets.



most people dont upgrade the cpu alone. they will also buy a new motherboard and maybe even ram.



technology moves forwards, there was clearly a hardware limitation with 1156 vs 1155, so out with the old in with the new.

 

[rizla1]

who here is honestly gona want intergrated gpu wasting space on a new 4-8 core cpu?
this cpu/platform doenst really make sence. anyone who wants an office pc for basic stuff isnt going to be happy paying £400-500 just for there cpu/mobo.

 

[Yellow&Nerdy?]

Jesus Christ... Another socket? Like we don't have enough. Actually, Intel is probably going to release two new sockets next year. The "performance/mainstream" socket, which is this one (LGA-1155) and the "über high-end" socket to replace LGA-1366, which will be the LGA-2011. TBH, I don't expect much from Sandy Bridge. I mean, just look at Intels attempts on a GPU... Larrabee was and still is a total failure, Intel IGPs have been a subject of ridicule for a long time and the IGPs on the Arrandale/Clarksdale CPUs are pathetic. I personally am looking forward to AMDs attempt on a "CPU/GPU merging", since they atleast know everything about GPUs after merging with ATI. Now that on a laptop would be pretty awesome

I don't think integrated GPUs will take off in the enthusiast section anytime soon. But for e.g. laptops and HTPCs they would be pretty awesome. I don't see any reasons why Intel would try to retire the LGA-1156, which is only a year or two old. And I don't see any point in the LGA-2011 either. It will have quad-channel memory, 8 more PCIe lanes and support 8-core CPUs. But the problem is, for 90% of the users, the current sockets offer more than they need. There are few applications that fully utilise multi-core processing and Hyperthreading, and 4 or 6 GBs of RAM is enough for the most. And not that many games can use more than 2 cores.

Honestly, when these sockets come out, and you're concidering to update your LGA-1156 or LGA-1366, don't. Save your money, or spend it on some nice SSDs, RAM or a graphics card. That will definately give a more noticalbe increase in performance than upgrading your CPU or motherboard.

 

[Flanker]

the igp's don't impress me either, i mean, without the igp, the chips would probably be cheaper, and for us who use discrete graphics, it is a complete waste

 

[DaC]

Intel's IGP is just a bad taste joke..... they just want to say that they are in track with the future, just like AMD..... the truth is..... amd though about Fusion a long time ago, and time shows this bet was right..... and a great cpu with a even better igp from amd is on the way...... intel just wants to show that it can do it too.... but man..... old 945 igp on this ubber new cpus...... FAIL to me.

 

[HillBeast]

It doesn't. It's nearing the end of the line for LGA-1366, the last model will a Gulftown based six-core chip (i7 970), after which LGA-2011 and its 8-core chips will take over. After that your Core i7 Extreme will be as "epic" as Core 2 Extreme is now (it's not).

It doesn't matter how many cores a computer gets, it's not going to make the games I play run any nicer. EVERY game I play runs above 60FPS. By definition it's epic. All the additional cores are doing is wasting my money. I have no intention of spending over $2000 just to get a new motherboard and CPU which I won't use to it's limits. By definition 1366 is epic.

Also Core 2 Extremes are still epic chips. i7 runs faster but in games, most games will make do just fine on a Core 2 Extreme, or even a Quad or a Duo. Most games barely use 4 cores properly.

 

[NeSeNVi]

What a shame they didn't test power consumption, temperature either.

Gimme Sandy Bridge on Christmas

 

[pr0n Inspector]

Why is it that people think they need upgrading whenever something new is out? No one is forcing you to get the new platform at gunpoint.

 

[rizla1]

is this gona be 32nm? the only sandybridge chip that wll make sense will be the mobile chips. for performance this is just silly ,il be happy waiting for amd 32nm 8 core for £100!! hopefully am3 support. even then there new mobos will be half the price of these.

 

[phanbuey]

Why is it that people think they need upgrading whenever something new is out? No one is forcing you to get the new platform at gunpoint.

gotta keep up with the joneses

 

[TheScavenger]

Nobody likes to to see their baby get old (ie outdated). Its frustrating.

 

[Frick]

Two different sockets for high/lowend was bad enough, this is just silly. Sure it's new tech and all that, but this is too much,

 

[CDdude55]

It doesn't. It's nearing the end of the line for LGA-1366, the last model will a Gulftown based six-core chip (i7 970), after which LGA-2011 and its 8-core chips will take over. After that your Core i7 Extreme will be as "epic" as Core 2 Extreme is now (it's not).

It doesn't matter how many cores a computer gets, it's not going to make the games I play run any nicer. EVERY game I play runs above 60FPS. By definition it's epic. All the additional cores are doing is wasting my money. I have no intention of spending over $2000 just to get a new motherboard and CPU which I won't use to it's limits. By definition 1366 is epic.

Also Core 2 Extremes are still epic chips. i7 runs faster but in games, most games will make do just fine on a Core 2 Extreme, or even a Quad or a Duo. Most games barely use 4 cores properly.

It's all about what you need/want out of a system, not everyone needs an ub3r 8-core socket 2011 rig to be ''epic''. It is true that 1366 is still a beast of a socket, it should last a few good years just like the Core 2's have been doing. An ''epic'' part is a part that does what you need it to do for a years and yet still maintains great performance today as it did when it was first released, if you define ''epic'' as always having the best of the best, then you're dead wrong.

I personally don't give a $hit about the new sockets(maybe in a couple years i will), considering as a gamer, the 1366 socket is more then enough.(Hell, even a Core 2 Duo is enough)

 

[Flanker]

What a shame they didn't test power consumption, temperature either.

indeed.
on wikipedia, there appears to be a 65W quad core coming out, and that will probably be the only cpu i may get...

oh, and more reason to refuse to get sandy bridge: http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mainbo...ng_PCI_Bus_with_Select_6_Series_Chipsets.html
no more PCI slots

 

[JTS]

I won't be changing from socket 1366 for maybe 2 new generations.

Unless there are very significant performance reasons to do so - I have to agree.

The 2000 (?) 1366 socket replacement would have to show some serious improvements to entice me to buy yet another new mobo+processor+ram.

As for 1155 adding a IGP - that's fine and dandy for mums and dads/companies - but for enthusiasts, it's hardly a drawcard.

Native SATA/USB/PCI-E 3.0 is welcome - but it will be a while before there are enough mainstream devices available to warrant it the change so soon.

 

[pr0n Inspector]

indeed.
on wikipedia, there appears to be a 65W quad core coming out, and that will probably be the only cpu i may get...

oh, and more reason to refuse to get sandy bridge: http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mainbo...ng_PCI_Bus_with_Select_6_Series_Chipsets.html
no more PCI slots

cheap on-board pci-e to pci bridge chip: problem solved.

 

[HillBeast]

cheap on-board pci-e to pci bridge chip: problem solved.

Well originally I thought getting rid of PCI was going to be annoying, but really it's not too bad. I'm putting up with having less PCI slots just fine. Only things that need PCI these days are sound cards and TV cards, and both are going the way of PCI-e now.