worth it or not? i7 920-950

[demonking]

Im desperate for an i7 and as the bulldozers aren't worth the cost and aren't very future proof i'm looking for a hyper threaded cpu

but i'm skint(ish)

i'm currently using a phenom 955 oc'ed to 4ghz is a first gen i7 going to be worth getting over the phenom.

i'm talking second hand of course if so are any of the 920 or 930 i7s any good? i have seen a few going for about £120-£150 and this is kinda my limit as i'd have to get a board for it as well

or shall i just stick with my 955

(or maybe even an 860?)

 

[SieB]

You might as well go Sandy bridge and a 2500k if you are going to be spending £150 on a CPU, you might be able to get a 2500k for cheaper than that once Ivy goes on sale.

 

[MaXiMiZe]

Cannot agree more with SieB.

 

[demonking]

i thought about that but decided that i would rather get a hyperthreaded cpu for future proofing

don't get me wrong id i found a really cheap 2500k i'd get it but i'd just prefer an i7

 

[AciD_RaiN]

£60-70 more and you got yourself a 2600k...

 

[Josh Weston]

Fast i5 > Slow i7

just because it's an i7 doesn't mean it's the best.

I'd also go with the 2500k - for how cheap they are, the speed is fantastic.

 

[SieB]

The 2500k is the better CPU especially when overclocked

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=288

Hyperthreading isn't going to help with future proofing to be honest, the 2500k beats the 950 even with hyperthreading. The only i7 worth getting over the 2500k is the 970 only for rendering etc though, but with a 970 you are looking at 2600k money which is as fast as a 990x.

 

[Jadarite]

How much have you got to spend on cpu and mobo? if you don't mind me asking

 

[JFC15]

If it were me, I'd save up and get what you "really" want, not only what you can afford today. Don't "settle"... Trust me, you'll be happier with your purchase if you get what you really want. You have a very serviceable computer right now, so don't be in a hurry to throw your money away. The older versions (920, 950, 990, etc.) run warm to hot. Sieb is 100% correct... go with the Sandy Bridge. They run a lot cooler than the first generation i7 (and new ivy bridge for that matter), so you get the best of both worlds with Sandy Bridge. Easier to overclock to higher speeds because of the lower voltages. The 1155 motherboards used with the Sandy Bridge processors can be used for the new Ivy Bridge processors.. if you ever decide to upgrade in the future, which we all eventually do. If you go old generation, you're not doing what you say you want to do and future proof. Always remember, what you buy today, will be out of date tomorrow. I just bought the ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe motherboard to go with a Sandy Bridge i7-2700K processor. I did a lot of research (and asked a few questions in this forum (thanks guys!) before I pulled the trigger. Do your research, and ask a lot of questions. Then, decide what you really want. Good Luck demonking!!

 

[demonking]

wise words JFC.

perhaps waiting for 2600k's to drop in price is the best option

thanks guys