Ivy Bridge vs Sandy Bridge - The Many Questions

[pickyantivirus]

Hey everyone,

So after the many reviews of Ivy Bridge I though I would take the time to sum some things up and to post my thoughts. I've been planning my new build for a long time and waiting for Ivy Bridge is the only thing which delayed me from building many months ago. I knew all along that IB was just a die shrink and expected the performance increase to be minimal and overclocking to be ever so slightly better.

The outcome seems to have been that Intel have done a great job at shrinking the die ready for the next big step which is Haswell (the next micro-architecture Intel will release) but not such a great job for actual IB users. After all IB is pretty much as powerful as SB with very minimal pros and cons. I am however, like many, still torn between IB and SB because of the huge benefit SB has in temps and higher clock speeds. SB maybe less powerful clock-for-clock but SB at 5.0GHz must surely be faster than IB at 4.8GHz and the benefit in RAM speed seems to impact in a very small way overall.

I posted this as an opportunity for everyone to post their thoughts on Ivy Bridge vs Sandy Bridge in one consolidated post to make it easier to find and to help me make a decision. I hope this is the case and happy posting

 

[Sheza]

Well despite the heat issues, I'm going for Ivy Bridge still for my upgrade.

I don't like the idea of buying "older" technology when the new just came out, especially (hopefully) since the price difference isn't exactly that bad considering how long Sandy's been out (and hence discounted). Sure, if you have a Sandy Bridge processor that you're happy with then there's clearly no need to get for Ivy Bridge, get Haswell instead.

Considering the performance increase at stock, and clock for clock it's better, I reckon you should be going for Ivy Bridge unless you're an overclocking enthusiast that needs to have an extreme overclock. If you strive to be part of the 5.0Ghz + club, you wouldn't be able to do that with Ivy.

 

[simsimma4]

I have only been told this, but Ivy bridge at 4.5ghz is as fast as sandy bridge at 4.7 ghz. so it would stand to reason that ivy bridge at 4.8ghz would be as fast as sandy bridge at 5ghz, and you get to benefit from lower power consumption, win win situation in my opinion.

 

[pickyantivirus]

Well despite the heat issues, I'm going for Ivy Bridge still for my upgrade.

I don't like the idea of buying "older" technology when the new just came out, especially (hopefully) since the price difference isn't exactly that bad considering how long Sandy's been out (and hence discounted). Sure, if you have a Sandy Bridge processor that you're happy with then there's clearly no need to get for Ivy Bridge, get Haswell instead.

Considering the performance increase at stock, and clock for clock it's better, I reckon you should be going for Ivy Bridge unless you're an overclocking enthusiast that needs to have an extreme overclock. If you strive to be part of the 5.0Ghz + club, you wouldn't be able to do that with Ivy.

To be honest I was only wanting about 4.5GHz constant under a NH-D14, I currently run a socket 775 Q6600 so am in desperate need of upgrade. I am really torn and may just get IB, But for £30 more does IB reall offer anything better? I mean I wont be getting PCI 3.0 GPU's for long after Haswell let alone IB.

 

[pickyantivirus]

I have only been told this, but Ivy bridge at 4.5ghz is as fast as sandy bridge at 4.7 ghz. so it would stand to reason that ivy bridge at 4.8ghz would be as fast as sandy bridge at 5ghz, and you get to benefit from lower power consumption, win win situation in my opinion.

Thanks for the input, sounds about right I guess so I might just get IB. Will see after more discussion. Heat is my main concern but I'm planing on running a NH-D14 at highest fan speed constant at 4.5GHz no matter if it's IB or SB.

 

[Josh Weston]

As far as what I understand from reading/watching the reviews, reaching 4.5GHz on Ivy is easy. It's only when you try and strive for 4.7/8+ when the voltages need to be pushed and the temperatures seem to soar. I think i'm basing this off of Anand's review, but I think you'll be just fine, dude.

 

[killablade]

As far as what I understand from reading/watching the reviews, reaching 4.5GHz on Ivy is easy. It's only when you try and strive for 4.7/8+ when the voltages need to be pushed and the temperatures seem to soar. I think i'm basing this off of Anand's review, but I think you'll be just fine, dude.

This. IB has better temps than SB unless you're really pushing the chips to the limit.

 

[pickyantivirus]

Thanks guys, and this isn't a "boast" build its an every day use build which I'll be using to encode videos / images, Game and do everyday tasks. It seems I'm going for Ivy Bridge after all and I did think it was only at 4.7+ issues arose on IB.

 

[pickyantivirus]

When does Ivy Bridge come into stock in the UK as I'm thinking of ordering my cooler (within 5 working days delivery) and then I go on holiday the week after, then build after my holiday. So i will receive the cooler on friday, go on holiday monday and then build the monday after.

 

[VengeanceUK]

i'm still reeling a little at how quickly the temps suddenly soar to unmanageable levels.

i understand about the thermal limits of silicon but to see such drastic changes "all of a sudden" poses a few questions i need to research and at the moment its looking like IB will force down SB in price and make SB's more attractive propositions for those who don't require the onboard graphics as this is where the die shrink is obviously benefitted.

although the enhanced memory controller could swing me back to IB as i'm not too bothered about stupendous OC'ing.

GAHHHH decisions, decisions.

 

[marsey99]

sunday they go on sale i hear but the real question is why go ivy when the 2700k is £210 at aria and the 3770 with be about £50 more?

 

[Vicey]

If I was in the market I'd probably get a 2600K. Ivy Bridge is nice, the 3770K is nice but I don't think the price premium over the older processors is worth the 18 watt power savings. Which when you get right down to it, all there is. (95 Watt Sandy, 77 Watt Ivy).

For myself I'd value the higher OCing and lower temperatures at higher voltages but that's just me I think everyone will make their own evaluation on what they want more.

 

[airdeano]

I have only been told this, but Ivy bridge at 4.5ghz is as fast as sandy bridge at 4.7 ghz. so it would stand to reason that ivy bridge at 4.8ghz would be as fast as sandy bridge at 5ghz

what?? that makes no sense. speed is speed 100mph is 100mph. could some explain what i missed about the above statement?

airdeano

sunday they go on sale i hear but the real question is why go ivy when the 2700k is £210 at aria and the 3770 with be about £50 more?

id go proven on my dime and let the other "test" it out.. really no loss

oh and congrats on the 3rd place win.. ^5

airdeano

 

[Sheza]

what?? that makes no sense. speed is speed 100mph is 100mph. could some explain what i missed about the above statement?

I think the idea is benchmarks.

Completely theoretical numbers here just for the sake of argument, but lets say there's this test:

2600K 4.5Ghz scored 100 points

2600K 4.7Ghz scored 125 points

3770K 4.5Ghz scored 125 points

Does that make sense? In (most) benchmarks I've seen, Ivy Bridge at stock out-performs Sany Bridge at stock, and also at overclocked rates.

It's not about the achievable speed, but the performance to speed ratio.

 

[simsimma4]

Perhaps my wording was wrong, I should have said 'performs'

 

[magicc8ball]

When does Ivy Bridge come into stock in the UK as I'm thinking of ordering my cooler (within 5 working days delivery) and then I go on holiday the week after, then build after my holiday. So i will receive the cooler on friday, go on holiday monday and then build the monday after.

I to have the ancient Q6600 and it has been a damn good processor I wish I could use it forever. Anyways I have no doubt in my mind that I will be going with IB. Yes you will be able to get the SB for dirt cheap when the IB comes out but imho I would rather deal with the heat then to lose the extra features the IB offer. For right now the extra features will not mean much but who knows later down the road they might. I believe they will be released the 29th or 30th of april and depending on who you buy it from it might come with free 2 to 3 day shipping.

i'm still reeling a little at how quickly the temps suddenly soar to unmanageable levels.

i understand about the thermal limits of silicon but to see such drastic changes "all of a sudden" poses a few questions i need to research and at the moment its looking like IB will force down SB in price and make SB's more attractive propositions for those who don't require the onboard graphics as this is where the die shrink is obviously benefitted.

although the enhanced memory controller could swing me back to IB as i'm not too bothered about stupendous OC'ing.

GAHHHH decisions, decisions.

So ya it does get hotter and the only 2 logical reason that they do get hotter is the die shrink so there is less area to spread the heat over and the silicon. IMHO 32nm is the sweet spot for temps and ocing but we probably wont be able to confirm that till haswell.

 

[sheroo]

A thought occured to me that maybe its not that its 22nm but maybe has something to do with the tri-gate technology? Could it be this that is giving it a different thermal characteristic?

 

[pickyantivirus]

Overall I am not willing to pay £50 more for a chip which offers minimal changes. PCI 3.0 is useless to me until way after haswell as I won't be changing this system to PCI 3.0 GPUs ever, never mind the fact that there is barely any difference yet. SB is worth the £200+ for 2600k's but £240 + for IB, not a chance. I've 100% made my mind up now and think IB is for people who want the future features which I will never need on this board/CPU

 

[sunnydurian]

Perhaps the best move is wait till IB launch on next Monday and see what's the price difference between the new IB and old SB.

For me, the price difference has to be aligned to the performance increased. Hopefully it will be as most reviewes said the price would be around the same as SB.

My budget will be around £20-£30 price increase as compare to SB.

 

[Sheza]

What would that make your price be then, mrsunnyday?

I'm going to speculate it'll be around the £260 mark. I've seen estimates range from £240 to £260 but I reckon £280 is where it's at (I haven't just taken the highest and lowest and averaged them, I also saw a review with those prices).