i7 860 Vs i7 920

[Grib]

Hi guys I'm really having a hard time choosing from these builds I'm more turned for the bottom one I dont really know .. I'm going to OC everything.

Hope you can help me to decide and please explain your choices.



CORE i7 860 2.80GHZ 8MB CACHE 1156 269.70 €
ASUS P7P55D* 136,90 € 136,90 €
4GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-16000 RIPJAW (9-9-9-24) (2x2GB) 91.80 €
SAMSUNG 1TB SATA II 32MB* 72,60 € 72,60 €
HD5850 230€
CORSAIR VX550 550W SLI 76.50 €
LG DVDRW GH22NS50 22X SATA PRETO BULK 22.90 €
LANCOOL PC-K58 75.00 €
NOCTUA NH-U12P SE1366 & 1156 C/ 2X VORTEX FAN 59.40 €

Total: 1030€

Vs


SAMSUNG DVD±R 22X SH-S223F PRETO BULK (SATA) 20,50 € 20,50 €
CORSAIR HX-520W 86,70 € 86,70 €
HD5850 230€
INTEL CORE I7 920 (2.66GHZ) SKT 1366 BOX (D0)* 242,00 € 242,00 €
ASUS P6T SE 178,50 € 178,50 €
GSKILL KIT 6GB DDR3 1600MHZ NQ (CL9) 112,60€
SAMSUNG 1TB SATA II 32MB* 72,60 € 72,60 €
LANCOOL PC-K58 BLACK 75,00 € 75,00 €
NOCTUA NH-U12P SE1366 56,30 € 56,30 €

total: 1.071 €

[ubuntu83]

I say get Core i7 920. For that much price difference 920 is a excellent buy. D0 can OC to 3.9Ghz with that cooler. Once OCed the 920 will definitely be faster than a 860. In the future you'll get a upgrade option to gulftown too.

[Mean Machine]

Since the i7-870 is almost as good as a 965, I'd go for the 860, which realistically should beat a 920 any day.

[B.E.E.F.]

The i7 860 is much cheaper, and clocks almost the same. It's also got higher turbo clocks if that's important to you than the i7 9xx series. Slightly faster, cheaper, and it consumes less power thanks in part to the P55 so your system will run cooler.

Also, this system will be hella powerful. You might not even need to overclock that much. Bump up the clocks a little bit and leave turbo on for dual and single threaded applications. Your build will run EVERYTHING well, even Crysis.

BTW props for the lancool. It looks awesome, and its a Lian Li rebrand. :up:

[PC_User]

My vote goes to the i7 920. Fast clock-per-clock when overclocked, more longevity for the X58 platform (Gulftown 32nm 6core), triple-channel DDR3 for higher memory bandwidth, and a few other reasons.

[Nowyn]

i7 920 for sure.

And for the record i7 860 by itself doesn't consume less power than 920. They have a lower OC potencial on stock volts, we all know that since Core 2 Intel CPUs can run stock even undervolted, so i guess Intel did that on purpose to lower TDP. When OCed to 4+ it will require the same or likely even more volts than 920 D0.

Then with 920 you will not be bottlenecked by 8x/8x SLI / CF setup, should you go that way. 2GB extra ram also helps with a ~15% higher RAM bandwidth. Ofc you can get 4x2GB sets for 8 total, but it would likely affect OCability a bit.

Overall i7 860 (as all Lynnfields) is a little trickier to OC thanks to on-die PCI-E controller.

[B.E.E.F.]

And for the record i7 860 by itself doesn't consume less power than 920.

There's no point in reading the rest of what you wrote. You are very misinformed.

http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/corei7860_091709181820/20087.png

http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/corei7860_091709181820/20088.png

Look at that. The P55 platform vs the X58 consumes less power in idle AND load.

[xXxDieselxXx]

How about when the 920 and 860 are overclocked? As I have been reading both reach about the same temps. Just Saying! :D

[Gautam]

920's clock higher than 860's. 860's are clocking much like C0 920's more or less. 1156 IMHO is only justifiable if it's significantly cheaper than 1366. It's slower clock for clock and clocks lower.

[Salavat23]

i7 920 for sure. You are sacrificing too much with 1156 like ram capacity, air overclocking (D0's clock higher on average than the 860s, and with less volts), PCI-E bandwidth, memory bandwidth, and future CPU expansion.

Both are nice, but 1366 is what you want if you're looking for a more future expansion and usability.

[B.E.E.F.]

920's clock higher than 860's. 860's are clocking much like C0 920's more or less. 1156 IMHO is only justifiable if it's significantly cheaper than 1366. It's slower clock for clock and clocks lower.

Well, with 1156 you only need a dual channel kit. So you save money there. The board is cheaper too, more money saved. And that's about it.

How high do the 920s clock?

[Computurd]

do not go p55 if sli is in your future.

[Kylzer]

Well, with 1156 you only need a dual channel kit. So you save money there. The board is cheaper too, more money saved. And that's about it.

How high do the 920s clock?

Well with what i've seen here

2x2GB skt 1156 kits cost even a bit more than 3x2 kits for some odd reason.

And 920 D0s (current market stepping) will do 4Ghz no problem

i've had mine @ 4.5ghz without to much voltage.

[B.E.E.F.]

2x2GB skt 1156 kits cost even a bit more than 3x2 kits for some odd reason.

the hell??

You can just buy a 3x2 kit and throw away a stick. :shrug:

[Asylum1]

Go with the 1366 platform.
It will be better in the long run.

[Nowyn]

There's no point in reading the rest of what you wrote. You are very misinformed.

[..]

Look at that. The P55 platform vs the X58 consumes less power in idle AND load.

Problem is you haven't read or understood what i was trying to say.
Find power consumption of both CPUs when OCed to 4GHz and you will find it very similar if not in 920 favor. Talking about pure CPU power draw, as X58 chipset by itself will require more power compared to P55, no doubt here.

[Lightning98]

Go with the "real" i7 920 , for the same price its better, and OC's easier

And btw, who even cares about consumed power? give or take a 100W, any 500+ W PSU can handle both systems easily.
I really, really don't understand people who justify buying one peace of hardware over another because it "uses less power".

And if you read the last review on xbit or anand?? don't remember, it seems like that when you OC the P55 i7 you have to add quite a bit of voltage, thus increasing the power use as much as 25-35% And all that because of the integrated PCI-E controller.

[WhiteFireDragon]

And btw, who even cares about consumed power? give or take a 100W, any 500+ W PSU can handle both systems easily.
I really, really don't understand people who justify buying one peace of hardware over another because it "uses less power".


100w is actually a significant amount. it really depends on the application. if you're building an HTPC, do you want an extra 100w of heat so you'll have to add more noise from higher speed/more fans? and try crunching at 100% load 24/7, it'll affect your bill, especially if you have more than 1 rig doing this.

i'd go with the 920 just to play and tinker around with, but the 860 for 24/7 crunching

[B.E.E.F.]

Problem is you haven't read or understood what i was trying to say.
Find power consumption of both CPUs when OCed to 4GHz and you will find it very similar if not in 920 favor. Talking about pure CPU power draw, as X58 chipset by itself will require more power compared to P55, no doubt here.

I'm talking about platform draw since you can't separate the CPUs from their chipsets, so what's the point? Only if you're comparing different CPUs on the same chipset.

[Lightning98]

100w is actually a significant amount. it really depends on the application. if you're building an HTPC, do you want an extra 100w of heat so you'll have to add more noise from higher speed/more fans? and try crunching at 100% load 24/7, it'll affect your bill, especially if you have more than 1 rig doing this.

i'd go with the 920 just to play and tinker around with, but the 860 for 24/7 crunching

I meant the 100W as a measure of selecting the PSU, not as a representation of CPU power usage... and as someone added, its the platform draw that counts not just the CPU.

But in any case, i always like to get as much as possible for the same amount of money, so if i can get a 920 for the same $ or cheaper as an 860, its easier to OC and generally faster why would i select the slower one simply because of the power usage?

And besides, the extra wattage doesn't really heat the system all that much since at load they're pretty much the same.

As for HTPC's, why would anyone want a i7 in that? i mean, it sounds like a huge overkill to me, but then again we don't have the hardware prices in Europe like they are in the US so you can probably get away with that.

As for crunching, i don't do that, but i have about 5 networked machines working on my CFD , and FEM simulations, almost 24/7 + the servers... and i don't really complain about 100W give or take.

[INFRNL]

I am very confused now. From what I have read 860 clock for clock is a little faster than 920 and even overclocked to same levels the 860 still consumes less power, granted its only like 20w.

The reason why some people care about saving power is to save money on electric bill. If a person saves a few watts here and there, in the end they will be saving a lot. especially if they are building farms for DC.

right now 920 setup is basically the same price as a 860 depending on where you live and what stores are in your town I guess.

Yes 1366 is more futureproof, but how many of us will keep the same mobo when 6core cpus, sataIII(600), usb 3.0, and whatever else is around the corner is available? Maybe a few people if that.

I think its up to the individual, either way you go you will be happy. And the whole don't go with p55 if you want sli is crap. Look at the reviews, there maybe only a tiny bit of performance increase from x58.

[Lightning98]

I am very confused now. From what I have read 860 clock for clock is a little faster than 920 and even overclocked to same levels the 860 still consumes less power, granted its only like 20w.

right now 920 setup is basically the same price as a 860 depending on where you live and what stores are in your town I guess.

Yes 1366 is more futureproof, but how many of us will keep the same mobo when 6core cpus, sataIII(600), usb 3.0, and whatever else is around the corner is available? Maybe a few people if that.

I think its up to the individual, either way you go you will be happy. And the whole don't go with p55 if you want sli is crap. Look at the reviews, there maybe only a tiny bit of performance increase from x58.

As for speed, as far as i know 860 is faster than 920 because it's stock clock is higher, and i don't really see how it can be faster clock-for-clock, when both are OC'd to say 4GHz

Well, most people don't really upgrade that often, only the "enthusiast" line of people do that with each generation of chipsets or CPU's... i mean will you really, really need to upgrade an P55 or X58 in the next 2-3(or even more) years? i seriously doubt it.

And SLI, well i haven't tested it since i don't like any of that multi-gpu stuff, but all the reviews i've read say that X58 gives quite a bit more performance when going dual gpu, or more...

[B.E.E.F.]

The reason why some people care about saving power is to save money on electric bill. If a person saves a few watts here and there, in the end they will be saving a lot. especially if they are building farms for DC.

Not necessarily. Less heat means less cooling means less noise. :up:

[Talonman]

I do know that Vantage loves the 920 D0's, over the 975's and 965's...

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=100448234&mpage=1&key=�

johnksss --------- i7 920 D0@ 4.60GHz --- (2) 295 839/1809/1203 ----- P46,814
hallowen --------- i7 920 D0@ 4.71GHz --- (2) 295 839/1806/1193 ----- P46,101

Q56_Monster ---- i7 920 D0@ 4.55GHz --- (2) 295 813/1809/1220 ----- P45,418

hallowen -------------- i7 975@ 4.47GHz --- (2) 295 834/1798/1193 ----- P44,929
iride4u ---------------- i7 975@ 4.50GHz --- (2) 295 763/1665/1268 ----- P44,507
awalleyeguy ----- i7 920 D0@ 4.64GHz --- (2) 295 742/1656/1269 ----- P44,433
nateman_doo --- i7 920 D0@ 4.50GHz --- (2) 295 840/1810/1220 ----- P44,012

hallowen -------------- i7 965@ 4.82GHz --- (2) 295 828/1785/1198 ----- P43,788
Q56_Monster --------- i7 920@ 4.36GHz --- (2) 295 805/1805/1230 ----- P43,718
wizzard1709 - Xeon W3540@ 4.43GHz --- (2) 295 775/1671/1211 ----- P43,171


I would go for the 920 D0 myself. :)
Good price, and darn fast!

[INFRNL]

I can honestly say that an I7 920 rig will last a good couple years or so, but I like to help donate for new tech. your statement about clock for clock doesnt make sense to me. I guess being similar architecture but the reviews still say 860 is slightly faster. Take for example the newer cpu's that are clocked lower than previous cpu's but actually perform faster; thats how I see it. It can calculate more per cycle

Beef makes a good point too about less heat and noise.

[Chumbucket843]

Well, with 1156 you only need a dual channel kit. So you save money there. The board is cheaper too, more money saved. And that's about it.

How high do the 920s clock?

you can put a dual or single channel kit in x58.

here is the core i7 9XX OC thread. most of the newer D0's clock really well though. most review sites used older C0's in from older reviews in their p55 reviews. i can get about 3.7 HT on my D0 with out any vcore bump and its folding 24/7.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=213105

[damtachoa]

i7 920
Advantage:
1) Have x16/x16 sli/crossfire
2) Triple memory
3) $199.99
4) Able to use included memory fan
5) Future uprade 32nm
6) High potential overclock

Disadvantage:
1) More power at idle & load
2) Expensive Motherboard
3) A little more money on memory

i7 860
Advangtage:
1) Dual Memory
2) Less power at idle & load
3) Not expensive motherboard
4) High potential overclock

Disadvantage:
1) Only x8/x8 sli/crossfire
2) Unable to use included memory fan
3) Not future upgrade compatible
4) $229.99

Anyone have any advantage or disadvantage from these two i7, add more.

Future Design will be in following:
1) Sata II -> Sata III
2) USB 2.0 -> USB 3.0
3) PCI-E 2.0 -> PCI-E 3.0
4) CPU = 4 core -> 6 core -> 8 core
5) Memory = DDR3 -> DDR4
6) P55 chipset -> P65
7) X58 chipset -> X68
8) More features add on

[Grib]

I got some discounts from a reseller and the i7 860 will cost 964 € and the i7920 that is the one I'm going for 1005 so a difference of 41€ .
Do you think i'm doing a smart choice going for the i7 920 that costs more 41€?

[B.E.E.F.]

I got some discounts from a reseller and the i7 860 will cost 964 € and the i7920 that is the one I'm going for 1005 so a difference of 41€ .
Do you think i'm doing a smart choice going for the i7 920 that costs more 41€?

Depends what you want. Check the chart above. ^

If you go 920, you have an option of upgrading to an (expensive) 6-core or higher processor later. If money is your concern then go i7 860. You save on cooling, electricity, and I'm sure you can get parts cheaper than that.

[Grib]

Depends what you want. Check the chart above. ^

If you go 920, you have an option of upgrading to an (expensive) 6-core or higher processor later. If money is your concern then go i7 860. You save on cooling, electricity, and I'm sure you can get parts cheaper than that.

Ok I'm going for the 860 then.
You are sure I can get cheaper than this ? Well unfortunately I can't those prices are from the cheapest store on my Country And I'm getting it cheaper because my fathers friend has a company and can buy directly from a reseller.

[Arkangyl]

I thought the 1366's clocked better than the 1163's due to not having the PCI-E on-chip and thus one less thing to limit your overclock?

[B.E.E.F.]

I thought the 1366's clocked better than the 1163's due to not having the PCI-E on-chip and thus one less thing to limit your overclock?

But they run hotter, so that evens out the advantage a little bit.

[fanatic22b]

i7 860
Advangtage:
1) Dual Memory
2) Less power at idle & load
3) Not expensive motherboard
4) High potential overclock

Disadvantage:
1) Only x8/x8 sli/crossfire
2) Unable to use included memory fan
3) Not future upgrade compatible
4) $229.99


Is it confirmed that there will be no future upgrades for the lga1156? I will be building soon and am stuck at picking a socket. I would like to lean more towards longevity (currently running a 4 year-old socket 939). I like the lga1156 since it's cheaper, uses less power, and in many respects faster. Certain things like triple channel and better dual video card performance don't really make a difference to me, but the processor will.

On the socket 939 I started out with a 3200 venice and later upgraded to an opteron 165, helping it last longer. I get the feeling I'd like to do that as well with the new system. Will there be no future processor upgrades for the lga1156?

[B.E.E.F.]

Is it confirmed that there will be no future upgrades for the lga1156?

The only word on upgrades is that the LGA 1136 will get a 32nm 6 core. That doesn't mean its the only upgrade that will happen. Nobody knows, but if you look in the past chances are you will get a nice beefy upgrade for the 1156 too.

[fanatic22b]

The only word on upgrades is that the LGA 1136 will get a 32nm 6 core. That doesn't mean its the only upgrade that will happen. Nobody knows, but if you look in the past chances are you will get a nice beefy upgrade for the 1156 too.

I believe that's what I'm primarily looking for. As it stands right now I'm looking at the i5 750, which will give me a substantial upgrade from my opty 165. As long as it leaves me for an upgrade later on down the road I should be fine. The main things that don't interest me from the lga1366 is the triple channel memory and better dual video card performance. Those are two things I can live without.

[Bandit_44]

i7 920 D0 All the Way! Why settle for Less?