upgrade to core i7/i5 from qx9650 help please

[i-zombie]

ok so ive got a few quid kicking around from the sale of some goodies and fancied an upgrade to my pc

my current rig is
cpu-qx9650
mobo-asus p5e3 pro
psu-antec cp 850
ram-corsair xms3 ddr3 1600mhz ram
gpu-ati-5870
case-antec df 85
win7 x64
hdd ocz agility 128gb ssd drive

it seems the obvious upgrade is to core i7/i5 but im unsure of which to go for,i currently have around £250 but i would imagine if i sell my current cpu and mobo it would go up to £450ish total

so what i7 cpu and mobo would i be best going for to get all round performace better than my current rig

 

[little_pob]

Intel, in their infinate wisdom, decided that the i7 range would cover 2 different sockets. As such I've suggested for both depending on the socket you want to go for (and budget):

LGA1156: go for the i5 750 or 760 or i7 860 on the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2.

LGA1366: go for the i7 920 or 930 on the Asus P6X58D-E or Gigabyte X58A-UD3R.

Note: If you go for the LGA1366 you'll probably want a 3rd stick of DDR3 for triple channel rather run in dual channel mode. (Personally I'd sell the paired DIMMs and buy a new triple channel kit such as Corsair 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Dominator Memory Kit (CMP6GX3M3A1600C8).)

 

[i-zombie]

Intel, in their infinate wisdom, decided that the i7 range would cover 2 different sockets. As such I've suggested for both depending on the socket you want to go for (and budget):

LGA1156: go for the i5 750 or 760 or i7 860 on the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2.

LGA1366: go for the i7 920 or 930 on the Asus P6X58D-E or Gigabyte X58A-UD3R.

Note: If you go for the LGA1366 you'll probably want a 3rd stick of DDR3 for triple channel rather run in dual channel mode. (Personally I'd sell the paired DIMMs and buy a new triple channel kit such as Corsair 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Dominator Memory Kit (CMP6GX3M3A1600C8).)

lol ever reliable little pob thanks,ive got 4 x 2gb of the corsair xms3 1600,can i just use 3 sticks of this or do i need specific triple channel ram,ive seen a bundle with a 920 and the asus p6 you mention for around 400 is that a decent price

 

[little_pob]

lol ever reliable little pob thanks,

:blushing: No problem.

ive got 4 x 2gb of the corsair xms3 1600,can i just use 3 sticks of this or do i need specific triple channel ram,

Check the batch numbers on the RAM if they all match, 3 should work in triple channel without an issue.

Having done a quick google, you could also try populating banks A1, A2, B1 and B2 with a stick each (leaving banks C1 and C2 empty) to run in dual channel mode.

ive seen a bundle with a 920 and the asus p6 you mention for around 400 is that a decent price

You can get the i7 930 (slightly higher clock than the 920, but doesn't OC quite as well) and the Asus P6X58D-E for £350 at dabs: Asus Intel Ultimate Bundle (Includes P6X58D-E Motherboard & Core i7-930 2.8GHz Processor) (ASUSINTEL-BUN03) - dabs.com (don't forget Quidco)

 

[i-zombie]

ive just got this board Gigabyte X58A-UD3R on your recommendation little pob, so ive 300 for a cpu after selling mine-is it worth getting one of the 920 cpus with a low batch number(golden one or something)

ive 10gb of ram in all with 4x 2gb xms which is all the same( CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) 12800 and 2 x 1gb 10666 im happy running 6gb in triple channel ill keep the other and when i can afford it ill get another 2x 4gb CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 )

dya know i always forget dabs and bloody quidco lol,ill have to check them for the cpu

 

[little_pob]

Unfortunately it's a bit more difficult to find out the VID of the i3/5/7 ranges than it was with Core Duo - unless you intend overclocking it'll make little difference anyway.

There is nothing wrong with the i7 930, just make sure it's the d0 SLBKP will do you fine.

 

[i-zombie]

im watching one on ebay thats a 001 aparently for 220,but i coulds also get a 950 for the same money-logical im thinking the 950 would be better is that right,or is there some flaw with them?

 

[little_pob]

Bit of a mixed bag in terms of results: 920 vs 950http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/47?vs=109

 

[i-zombie]

Bit of a mixed bag in terms of results: 920 vs 950

lol that link is usefull,but you linked to the i5 750 v the 920

according tho that tho at stock the i7 950 beats the 920 on all counts,i do intend to overclock a little but nothing major

right now my options for cpu are a 950 for 215 or a 920 golden cpu(001 batch)for 230

again it seems the 950 is the obvious choice but im left wondering why its cheaper than the 920 if its so much better--is a golden gpu batch doodah really that usefull for clocking

thanks againg little pob,i never seem to find comparison features like that when i look,i always end up with forum discussions

 

[little_pob]

lol that link is usefull,but you linked to the i5 750 v the 920...

Teach me to proof read...

 

[i-zombie]

thanks again for the help,ive just ordered a i7 950 just gotta wait for it all delivering now

one last question is it worth me getting another 4gb pack of the same memory to fill all my ram slots or should i just stick with the 3 sticks of ram

 

[little_pob]

Dual channel and triple channel kits are tested at the factory before shipping.

With you effectively wanting to use 3x dual channel kits, rather than 2x triple channel kits, there is no guarantee they'll work optimally with each other in tripple channel, unless you can get RAM from the same batch. For example you may have to increase the timings or not be able to run at a 1T Command Rate.