|
|
|
|
#1
12-02-2008, 12:33 AM
|
|||
|
|||
i7 PREMIUM PRICE = SO WHAT DO YOU GET ?
FLYBY,
Was reading some other analysis earlier, sorry don't recall the link. They took an i7 920 2.66 Ghzee ($300 US) and compared in effect single, dual, triple, quad core processors impact on FPS. They disabled enough cores with each benchmark run in order to be using four, three, two, one cores. Kinda simple and sweet analysis. Seemingly across the board they saw significant gains from single to dual. From dual to triple, they observed insignificant gains. From three to four cores there was no incremental increase in output. Interestingly you can purchase a E8200 for $150 US. I don't recall the diff in FSB or onboard cache betweeen the two chipsets. Let's assume that the E8200 is equilavent to running the i7 on two cores. Consider that the i7 costs 2x that of the E8200. Now add to this premium the fact that i7 compatible mobos will run approx $100 premium. Let's leave ram out of the picture for the moment. So what do you get for that additional $250? Right now from the third party analysis I have read....no "significant " performance differences that you can touch/feel. You are on the next generation of chipset pin configuration which may or may not have any real value. You are buying the current cutting edge of CPU configuration which always costs a hefty premium for those who value the bragging rights. These rights are of value to some so this is not meant as a pejorative. Might this be why AMD came out with their triple cores instead of four? The choice one might take would depend on the specs of current system: is it inadequate?, is it just time for something new?, do I need to burn some cash?, can I wait six months to see what my options are to upgrade?, if I choose to wait a bit will I be happy to buy the i7 920 (currently $300) or Q9400 (currently $290) for half it's current premium price - equivalent to what a E8200 costs now (currently $160)? Consider waiting another few months, and whilst you wait read all the comparisons that more informed brains write up. And member to throw the costs into the mix as well as the other variables that you feel of value. The longer you wait the more you will save on the specific components and the more comfortable you will be with your decision. << Good sleep insurance<< Once you buy, do it, build it up, post up pics of the creation, and don't look at the prices till the next time the upgrade bug bites. Oh but by all means give us an objective in-depth write up whatever choice you make. PEACE 
|
|
#2
12-02-2008, 05:33 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hi Spudley,
Good points you make. I'm actually going to wait another few months (since I've been waiting for quite some time for my $$ to get right anyway). I'm looking to finance a new build, not an upgrade, so waiting is in my interest. By the time I'm ready to spend I'm hopeful that prices will drop, Win7 will be out, and mainstream motherboards X58 mobos will be out, not to mention new GPUs like the RV870. So, I'm not looking to build a monster, but surely a capable system that might be closer to Oleg's dream system rather than further away from it.  Flyby out
__________________
the warrior creed: crap happens to the other guy!
|
|
#3
12-02-2008, 08:35 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I afraid that prices of I7 setups wont drop so quickly as we assume and what more, dont forget that flight sims are real time simulations and it's very hard to implement parallel processing, maybe if OLeg will use Falcon4 like "bubble" concept for massive campaigns, but still I dont believe that more then 2 cores gonna be use at full steam.
And in Q3 09 Itel plan to introduce LGA1166 paltform (Lynnfield) base on I7 architecture but only with 2 cores but with lock clock, so it wont be easy to OC! Also, AMD is puttin all its strategy to PhenomII four cores CPU, two cores new Athlons will be for value market only. Maybe we are facing bleak times for PC gamers, multicores are not for games (and wont be ever) and two cores wont be maybe less powerfull then todays E8xxx... So my bet in on highly OC E8400 (8600), but maybe Oleg surprise us all....
|
|
#5
12-03-2008, 12:13 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Every one knows that over time hardware will become cheaper and more powerful. (Current economic meltdown permitting!) If you want the best experience playing a sim that won't be released for another year and you can afford to wait, then wait! Three or so months ago I HAD to upgrade my computer, So I worked out a budget and fitted into that. Trying to plan ahead for future upgrades. If I went through the process today the PC I'ld have built would be nothing like the one I made. In those 3 months, we've had a whole range of new technology introduced. New graphics sets, Solid state drives, a new family of CPU's and Motherboards, Tripple channel DDR3 memory. In a years time who knows what our PC's will be like? If you NEED to buy a computer now, try to make choices that will allow you an upgrade path. Just think, by the time SOW is released, you may not even be interested in Flight Sims! Who Knows?
|
|
#6
12-03-2008, 02:09 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
hi Skosh,
I don't think it would be irresponsible for Oleg to give a bit more guidance on system requirements at all. What's wrong with saying a Conroe series CPU would be more than sufficent? Or a Penryn? Or a Nehalem? I'm waiting a bit longer before building a system, but I had not planned to wait until next May when requirements are supposed to come out. So how to plan for an upgrade path when there is no target? Even Rise of Flight has posted system requirements. Surely Oleg has an idea. I know he won't recommend a Cray, but... Flyby out
__________________
the warrior creed: crap happens to the other guy!
|
|
#7
12-04-2008, 07:38 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Well a couple of reasons, Firstly, "Traditionally" development of of Hardware has followed the much misquoted "Moores Law", in which every 18 months or so the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubled every 18 months while their price dropped by about half. So fair this has roughly coresponded to the performance of the processors and memory etc. Secondly Intel has been following their tick-tock cycle, We've only just had the 'Tock' wich was the introduction of the i7 Architecture in the 45nm silicon process, In the next year or so we'll have the next 'Tick' which will be implementing the new architecture on 32nm silicon. (And I bet AMD will be trying their hardest to out do intel!) So far, from what I've been able to see programs aren't pushing the new i7 chips to their limits because the code hasn't been optimised to run on the new architecture. That'll takes time for the developers to come to terms with. Who knows what sort of performance will be reached? I certainly don't It basically comes down to that in a years time The CPU's and memory avaliable will be more powerful and cheaper, have more cores etc. Oleg has already said that they are making a sim that will be around for a long time, hopefully as long as IL2. I'm sure I read somewhere that they are adding features that won't possibly run on current PC, and closer to release they be deciding which ones they will need to turn off to get the sim to run at acceptable frame rates and game play. Now if Oleg at this stage said the game will run on 'X' and a person runs out and buys 'X' now and when time comes to play the game and the person doesn't think that 25Fps is 'acceptable' They'ld be blaming Oleg for screwing the pooch with his machine specs and we'ld never hear the last of it. Also that PC that cost lets say 2000 Rubles today would only be workth 1300 Rubles in a years time. Then there'd be a 30 page thread says Oleg robbed them. This far away from release I wouldn't be releasing machine spec's. Cheers! (Sorry for my disjointed argument, my wifes run away to the shops and left me with winging children!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure they can't be mine!!!!!!)
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
