Sandy Bridge Preview

[snowhiker]

Sandy Bridge Preview from Anandtech:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the-sandy-bridge-preview-three-wins-in-a-row

[Chewy509]

Nice article...

Main points -
new socket - LGA 1155
new chipset - P67, H67 and H61. (P for discrete gfx, H for integrated gfx).
All sandy bridge CPUs have Intel HD GPU on die, and shares L3 cache for work. The paired chipset will either enable or disable it.
Different SKUs - K, S and T suffixes. K is unlocked multiplier for overclocking and S and T for performance and power optimised models respectively
All Sandy Bridge CPUs will have a '2' prefixed to the model number - eg i5-2400 - Should make easy to tell.

The new i5-2400 preforms close to the current i7-980X in some benchmarks. (~$200 vs $999). (If I read the article right - See for an example http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the-sandy-bridge-preview-three-wins-in-a-row/10 )

[CougTek]

Perfect platform to put in a Mac Mini for my computer-illiterate friend. Too bad it's not out yet.

[Stereodude]

Looks promising, though I still don't understand why Intel has to keep changing their socket. :bstd:

[Mercutio]

Looks promising, though I still don't understand why Intel has to keep changing their socket. :bstd:

LGA775 has had a surprisingly long life.

[sechs]

How would motherboard manufacturers make money if all they did was pump out BIOS updates for the latest chips?

[Pradeep]

Looks promising, though I still don't understand why Intel has to keep changing their socket. :bstd:

As long as you go into an Intel based mobo based on the fact that it may never get an upgrade on the same socket you won't be disappointed.

[CougTek]

It's bad for repairs, the area where I make most of my money. Ususally, when a repair cost above 150$, people don't do it and they change the computer. I make a lot less money that way (almost no labor). Changing sockets for one single f**king pin is outrageous. It's ripping off the customers.

[MaxBurn]

Meh, trying to keep the same socket would stand in the way of progress. How could you move the GPU to the processor, add a bunch of power saving stuff and keep the same chipset/socket?

[snowhiker]

Mobile Roadmap Revealed: Sandy Bridge Part II, again from Anandtech:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3876/intels-core-2011-mobile-roadmap-revealed-sandy-bridge-part-ii

[sechs]

Meh, trying to keep the same socket would stand in the way of progress. How could you move the GPU to the processor, add a bunch of power saving stuff and keep the same chipset/socket?Good design?

Why does AMD not need three different desktop socket designs at once?

[Chewy509]

Good design?
Why does AMD not need three different desktop socket designs at once?

Maybe they don't have the same weight to throw around and bully OEMs with? Or is it just a perception?

But interestingly...

Since 2000 with AMD we have had (not counting mobile or embedded):
Server: Socket 940 -> Socket F -> Socket C32/G34
Desktop: Socket A -> Socket 754/939 -> AM2 -> AM3

Since 2000 with Intel we have had (not counting mobile or embedded):
Server: Socket 603/604 -> Socket 775/771 -> LGA 1156/1366 -> LGA 2011?
Desktop: Socket 423 -> Socket 478 -> LGA 775 -> LGA 1156/1366 -> LGA 1155.

In the same time, Intel has only had 1 additional socket change vs AMD? (I've grouped some together, as they should be considered a family due to being either single socket or dual socket motherboard configurations).

Your thoughts and comments?

My take, AMD has done it better as they have provided some backward/forward compatibility between sockets, mainly due to the CPU having an IMC, so you aren't having to deal with multiple bus or chipset changes.

[Pradeep]

Socket F had a nice lifespan in the server space. G34/C32 should likewise.

You can add AM3+ for the forthcoming desktop socket:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20100826225852_Desktop_Bulldozer_Processors_Will_R equire_New_Platforms_AMD.html

Backwards compatible with AM3 CPUs.

[sechs]

AM3 CPUs work in many AM2 boards. Intel doesn't do anything of the sort.

[Adcadet]

I'm wondering if a Sandy Bridge will be my upgrade to my currently 44 month old Core 2 Duo. Do you guys think there will be anything competitive on price/performance at the mid-high end in Q1-2 of 2011?

[sechs]

When is Bulldozer due out?

You might want to wait for that, even if only for the possible price fight.