Who's Jumping On Sandy Bridge-E ?

Well, Bulldozer is here and left enthusiest relevancy at the speed of a benchmark.

So, who's jumping on Sandy Bridge-E in November?

Performance previews have shown it to be slightly faster than the current leaders 2600K and 990X , but the overclocking headroom has been touted to be even more impressive.

I suspect those that already have an SB chip will wait for IvyBridge and more power to them, but for those of us who are due for an upgrade now; SB-E is quite enticing.

So leave a comment and participate in the poll.


+1 for SB-E here!

SB-E is gonna run hotter and be more expensive, we know that much. I'm not sure actually.

I might get one. I'm building a new PC soon. What will they retail at? What do you think the best price will be for them? ie Microcenter

Poll is up. You guys are fast haha

Not me.

LGA 1155 platform is more than enough for my needs: High end gaming.

Let's be realistic, a CPU with the caliber and power of the 2600k is going to remain a viable gaming chip for many years. And I do mean A LOT of them.

Take a look at LGA 1156 and 1366 i5 and i7s. They are 3 years old, and the only thing faster than them in gaming, is Sandy.


Plus, LGA 1155 is where all the action is coming to first. We got Sandy first, and we get Ivy first.

Ivy-E is coming much later to LGA 2011.

Poll Fail. Where is the option of LGA 1155 is good enough for me!

Couldn't wait on Sandy-E. After being alarmed by BD failure, I had to bite the bullet and go ahead w/ the 2600k today to finish my BF3 build.

defaultluser said:

Poll Fail. Where is the option of LGA 1155 is good enough for me!

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Then put your not upgrading until 2013

Motley said:

I might get one. I'm building a new PC soon. What will they retail at? What do you think the best price will be for them? ie Microcenter

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Off of wiki they still say

3960X $999
3930K $583
3820 $294

But theres no word if this is the base price w/o the fancy closed loop LC or if its included.

Hmm, interesting but...

The Sandy E3820 is locked and price will be $299

The 2600k is unlocked and price is $279 (at Microcenter)

No thanks, I'll be going with my original plan to purchase the 2600k for my new build, coming soon.

if i was rich and had a bunch of money to waste sure.

I've seen previews such as on Anandtech and a few other sites and they all point to the fact that the 3000-series SB-E is no more faster than a 2600K. It does have better memory bandwidth though over the 2500/2600-series.

I wonder why.

I know it's the second generation of the Sandy Bridge architecture, but would the only reason to get one is to have a 2011 socket platform?

octoberasian said:

I've seen previews such as on Anandtech and a few other sites and they all point to the fact that the 3000-series SB-E is no more faster than a 2600K. It does have better memory bandwidth though over the 2500/2600-series.

I wonder why.

I know it's the second generation of the Sandy Bridge architecture, but would the only reason to get one is to have a 2011 socket platform?

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The CPU architecture between LGA 1155 and 2011, is exactly the same. It's not the second generation of anything. It's the same Sandy architecutre, on a diferent platform. that's all.
They are both Sandy Bridge CPUs. All that changes are the features of the platform such as PCI-E lanes, triple/quad channel, etc.

The CPUs themselves are the SAME architecture-wise.

I have been anticipating SB-E for a good while now, but the closer we get the more i feel like waiting for IVY. Being that the 6 core unlocked model is going to be around 600$... I just cant see it being powerful enough to justify an upgrade over my 920 @ 4.2. 600$ CPU and a 300$ MB... it better be a hell of a jump.

QuadDamage said:

The CPU architecture between LGA 1155 and 2011, is exactly the same. It's not the second generation of anything. It's the same Sandy architecutre, on a diferent platform. that's all.

They are both Sandy Bridge CPUs. All that changes are the features of the platform such as PCI-E lanes, triple/quad channel, etc.

The CPUs themselves are the SAME architecture-wise.

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I think Anandtech or another site previewing SB-E called it "second generation" Sandy Bridge, so it kind of stuck with me.

So, this is more like a "tick" than "tock," with Ivy Bridge being "tock" in Intel terminology.

If I was wanting the quad channel RAM (for I don't know what reason), then I'd go with SB-E. However, I think for day-to-day stuff and gaming, 2600K or 2500K with dual channel RAM is more than enough for the majority of people out there.

Probably going to get the 3930K.

i would like to, but it doesnt make sense when i consider how much money i've put into my x58 setup. Plus, im HOPING the 980x and 990x drop to a more affordable level when SB-E comes out so i can make somewhat of an upgrade - even if its just an e-peen upgrade...

I will upgrade sockets when
1: i NEED a pcie 3.0 mobo to support a future GPU
2: it provides enough PCI lanes to support tri-sli + sound card
3. it shows significant improvement in gameplay in the games i play (which it will, because i play battlefield, and that loves CPU power like i love bacon)

octoberasian said:

I think Anandtech or another site previewing SB-E called it "second generation" Sandy Bridge, so it kind of stuck with me.

So, this is more like a "tick" than "tock," with Ivy Bridge being "tock" in Intel terminology.

If I was wanting the quad channel RAM (for I don't know what reason), then I'd go with SB-E. However, I think for day-to-day stuff and gaming, 2600K or 2500K with dual channel RAM is more than enough for the majority of people out there.

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LGA 2011 is just the enthusiast version of the "Tick" (Sandy Bridge).

We can't mix CPUs with platforms. The CPU architecture is just one (SB) spread over two platforms for different market segments.

I was waiting for SBE until I saw that the 3930K was going to cost $600.
Went for the 2600K instead.

blahblahyoutoo said:

I was waiting for SBE until I saw that the 3930K was going to cost $600.
Went for the 2600K instead.

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Yah With the expected pricing and models...... SB-E only really has a point when you buy a 600$ processor. At least when 1366 was launched you had the 300$ 920 which at the time was the same thing as the best of the best model only clocked lower. I just don't see anything like the 920 coming out of SB-E (I think the 2600K already took that spotlight) They would have to release an unlocked 6 core for a decent price.. to me 600$ is about 200$ too much.

At reasonable prices 1155 is plenty, 1156 was very good too, the only reason I had alot of 1366 systems was due to crazy deals at microcenter which put 1366 systems close in price to 1156. So I would say online I would not touch SB-E but if microcenter has some crazy deals I may get one. Then again I have 3 systems on 1155 so it may be better to keep them all on that platform in case a part breaks. This time around though I think SB-E will be far less successful than x58 was because it is releasing later where as x58 released before 1156 sockets. That forced alot of people who had to buy in that time to go x58 and get locked into the platform. If I remember right it was before the holiday season too.

blahblahyoutoo said:

I was waiting for SBE until I saw that the 3930K was going to cost $600.
Went for the 2600K instead.

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Same boat I'm in. SB-E is just too expensive.

The LGA 2011 mobos will likely cost $250+ like when X58 first dropped.

Now the fun part will be finding a decent 1155 Mobo that's PCI-E 3.0 ready.....ideally from Microcenter while they still have that deal.

Think I'll be upgrading my HTPC with a 2500k from the pentiumG series it has now, its cheap enough and I find myself using it more then my desktop these days.

Not sure, might just look for a Gulftown cpu to throw into my current setup =p I'd get more bang for the buck with what I use it for.

I am definitely going to jump on SB-E. Just not right away, I am going to wait until all the dust settles down, then make a move(probably 3 months). I will most likely get the processor last because who knows what Intel retail edge will have.

Is Ivy Bridge supposed to be the successor to SB-E? I am not quite sure how Ivy Bridge places between SB-E and SB.

Ivy is a die shrink, it will occur on both platforms, so you'll get Ivy Bridge and Ivy Bridge-E at 1155 and 2011 sockets respectively.
As for moving to lga 2011, i'm definitely going to be making the move, my q6600 has run its lengths and i'm ready to upgrade to something high end.

My current system is on my sig.. I have no need to upgrade, but my bro needs a desktop. So I might give him my current rig and jump to SB-E.

BETA. said:

I am definitely going to jump on SB-E. Just not right away, I am going to wait until all the dust settles down, then make a move(probably 3 months). I will most likely get the processor last because who knows what Intel retail edge will have.

Is Ivy Bridge supposed to be the successor to SB-E? I am not quite sure how Ivy Bridge places between SB-E and SB.

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No, Ivy Bridge is a die shrink and improvement over Sandy Bridge. Ivy Bridge will be out first for 1155, and then Ivy Bridge-E will be out about half a year later for 2011.

Remember, Intel no longer has a one platform for everything situation. They now have two platforms, a mainstream platform and an enthusiast platform. There will be separate CPU's for each one. Yes, they will use the same architecture, and thus will perform similarly. The enthusiast platform (in this case) gets more cores, quad-channel memory vs dual-channel, more PCI-E lanes, and several other features that make them enthusiast class rather than just mainstream.

I'm going to skip this gen (although I already have a SB rig in the living room), and get an Ivy Bridge E. If there is such a thing.
I'm no PC guru, but how much better is/will it be in comparison to a i7 965? I don't OC... I know not very [H] of me, but I'm fine with what I have. Even 12gb of ram was overkill, but reading posts here made me feel like my ram was too small (I had 8gb before!)

I am, been waiting for almost 4 years now! I WAS going to get Gulftown but I was expecting at least one sub $400 sku, which didn't happen. So then I said I'll wait for the successor to 1366..... lot longer wait than I thought, but I can afford the Sandy-E's now!

As for heat/power/performance concerns... these things do not bother me. Just look at this screen. Presler was probably one of the hottest cpus Intel ever made for a desktop, and this is all I've got at the moment. It's almost exactly 1/6th the speed of a sandy 2600 in an ALU bench.

Yes, I will adopt a X79 setup but not right away, I just hope the i7 3930K is at least 20% faster than my i7 970, nor going to pay $1K for a "Extreme" CPU, not worth it.

if it goes on the intel big deal...

I wanted to go SB-E.

Then I made myself a common sense check - I realized that I won't ever need more than 2 GPUs and games don't need more than 4 cores so I went with 2500K with cheap sli mobo.

for a gamer, its a silly thing to buy.
unless you run eyefinity and have the gpu power of trifinity or quad, then maybe.
server side and those folders, might be a good thing.

i keep my 4.8ghz rig for the time
its just such a good deal with price/performance.

I'm waiting for Ivy Bridge 28nm.... the SB-E is too expensive. Right now, for $600 I can get the 2600K and the Z68 mobo, propably Ivy Bridge mobo+cpu prices will be at same level, and I doubt the difference in power will be that much.

I think I want to go with LGA 2011 right out of the gate simply because of the excellent life-span x58 had. If we eventually get 8 or even 10 core chips on it as an upgrade path, I'll be a happy camper

I've been wanting to go SB-E > IB-E all on 2011 after the success my 1366 rig enjoyed. Unfortunately, Intel seems to not want my business. They've put together only a handful of chips at crazy price-ranges. The $300 part is basically an updated 4-core chip, has a lot less cache and is significantly locked. Then we have to go to a $700 part that's a 6-core upgrade at least, has more cache, and "partially" unlocked. Finally is the $1000 Extreme Edition 6-Core with the full compliment of cache, unlocked.

Back when I bought my Core i7 920, the difference between it, as a ~$225-250 part and the $1000 Extreme Edition was basically an issue of being completely unlocked and having a higher clock speed. It had the same amount of cores (yes, the 6-core 980 and 990x came later etc...) and very close if not the same amount of cache etc.. all in the $200 range. This meant that with the awesome 3.5-4.2 ghz OCs stable on air or water, it was an excellent enthusiast chip and we made the choice to swallow the additional cost of the Intel X58 platform motherboards and Tri-Channel RAM.

It seems Intel doesn't want us doing that again. Socket 2011 is going to be an expensive switch, I'm sure. Buying an X79 chipset board is going to be a bit more expensive than a comparative P67/Z68 1155 mainstream chipset, most like (and considerably more expensive than a comparable AMD 990FX board ) and quad-channel RAM kids may be really expensive to the point it may be better to "chance it" buying 2 dual-channel kits, assuming that the X79 RAM specs are similar to existing requirements in terms of voltages, speed and whatnot.

With this in mind, I can't see why Intel is pushing the pricing structure they are so far. SB-E 2011 seems to only be an easy switch for high-end performance minded people with limitless pockets and who buy the $1000 Intel EE anyway, or those still hanging out on 755 with X48 and a Core 2 Duo/Quad who want big performance and would rather shell out for the 2011 platform and don't mind only gettin a quad-core i7 for the $300 part.

If Intel came up with a $200-range part (even $300) that had the same amount of cores and cache and everything else as the Extreme Edition save for the clock speed, I'd have no problem upgrading immediately as it seems 2011 will give me the same kind of value and power that 1366 did. Unfortunately, I'm no longer convinced of that and sadly Bulldozer only putting forth moderate competition for SB means most like that Intel doesn't feel worried about AMD creeping up on SB-E turf. I can only hope they realize that Intel is acting as their own worst enemy in this case and if they want to have the same enthusiast and high-end prebuild success of 1366 they'll need to rearrange the pricing and possibly make a new chip or two.

I was holding and holding for SB-E but I had to jump the gun a few weeks ago and go with 2600K. I'm thoroughly happy with the entire system. But I may go for IB-E as soon as it's launched if for no other reason than the extra DIMM slots.

Exactly Xaeos... lack of serious competition gives Intel free hand on pricing. They don't have to worry, people who want high end CPUs will flee to competition.

And yes, the difference between first gen of i7 was not great, most bought i920 and OCed like hell. Now I believe, Intel is securing their profits by making the steep differences in price/architecture, not to loose profits from upper tier of generations.

The problem is, that once the PCIe 3.0 hits full speed, the 8/8 config on Z68/77 will make a difference between 16/16, and those who want to run SLI / X-Fire will have to go 2011. There is also no way to avoid it, as AMD has no offering that would even come close to SB-E.

Guess, I'll stay on my i920 way, way longer then I expected - might just get some cheap, used i980.

I honestly don't see sb-e being that impressive for most enthusiasts, considering how amazing the 2600k is, given oc ability and price. And I don't care much about quad channel ram, or native USB 3.0. Pci-e 3.0 can be put on 1155 as well, so that's not a major issue either. But the native 40 pci-e lanes...to not have to use nf200 for a real 3-4 gpu solution... I wish there was someway to see just this feature on 1155.