I am currently using a Lynnfield i5 for FSX overclocked to 4.0Ghz and am considering moving to a Sandy Bridge i5 to improve FSX performance, especially in heavy airport areas and/or in heavy weather where performance can take a dive.As you guys know, the Lynnfield version is manufactured at 45nm, has a total L2 of 1MB, and an L3 of 8MB.The Sandy Bridge version is manufactured at 32nm, has a total L2 of 1MB, and an L3 of only 6MB.The only advantage of the Sandy Bridge is the 32nm manufacturing, so it had be overclocked to between 4.5Ghz to 5Ghz. Assuming the most unlikely overclock to 5Ghz, we are only talking a 20% increase in CPU speed (and we have to factor in 2MB less L3 cache), so I would expect an only minimal improvement. Is that correct, or am I missing something that says the Sandy Bridge version will likely make a more substantial improvement?I'll add this. Right now, I am using a Nvidia 275 and want to move to a Nvidia 570 card, and I want to impliment the BP=0 modification. I don't know if this information adds anything to the equation.I appreciate any advice you guys can give.thanks,RH

If you upgrade the GPU to something like the GTX570 paired with an Intel Core i7 2700K@5GHZ, the performance jump would be fantastic. The only reason I recommend the 2700K is due to the higher binning. The 2700's typically run @ higher clocks than the 2600's and run on lower voltage.Also, if you are going to upgrade, definitely go for the Asus P8Z68 Deluxe motherboard. With this motherboard, you are PCIe3 ready AND Ivy Bridge ready. (If you ever wanted to upgrade.)ORYou can wait for 2 more months and get an Ivy bridge Z77 board and a 3770K.

Edited February 15, 201214 yr by benorg

Robbie, Sandy Bridge is a new architecture that peforms better clock for clock (like a 15%). I made that 4GHz Lynnfield to 4.8GHz Sandy Bridge upgrade and saw about a 40% perf boost.I have to disagree with Ben, there's no eveidence that the 2700K & 2600K overclock any better than the 2500K, and the little extra L3 cache is a non factor, but it's true it won't hurt to wait for IB since Nehalem is still the second best CPU for FSX, and a very capable one when OC'ed like yours is

Edited February 15, 201214 yr by dazz

I have to disagree with Ben, there's no eveidence that the 2700K & 2600K overclock any better than the 2500K, and the little extra L3 cache is a non factor, but it's true it won't hurt to wait for IB since Nehalem is still the second best CPU for FSX, and a very capable one when OC'ed like yours is

The better 2600K's are now getting labeled as 2700K. I wouldn't go out and buy a 2600K anymore because all of the good chips are getting sold as 2700's.

You can wait for 2 more months and get an Ivy bridge

Yes! Tri-Gate and PCIe 3 (2x the BW of PCIe 2, PCIE 3 support required on the MB and of course also the video adapter.)

The better 2600K's are now getting labeled as 2700K. I wouldn't go out and buy a 2600K anymore because all of the good chips are getting sold as 2700's.

That's what I would do if I were Intel.Cheers,- jahman.

Yes! Tri-Gate and PCIe 3 (2x the BW of PCIe 2, PCIE 3 support required on the MB and of course also the video adapter.)

Look at my sig. :LMAO:

It doesn't look to me like they overclock any better than 2500K & 2600K'shttp://www.overclock.net/t/968053/official-the-sandy-stable-club-guides-voltages-temps-bios-templates-inc-spreadsheet/0_40#

PCIE 3 support required on the MB and of course also the video adapter.)

I recommended the P8Z68... He could build a SB system and later fully upgrade to IB+PCIe3. I kind of wish I had stuck with Z68 rather than P67 now...

Look at my sig. :LMAO:

Yes, I saw it! :Big Grin:Cheers,- jahman.

I recommended the P8Z68... He could build a SB system and later fully upgrade to IB+PCIe3. I kind of wish I had stuck with Z68 rather than P67 now...

Told ya'. OP, a +1 here. Ivy Bridge is right around the corner. Right now is one of those few times that computer builders should wait for a new architecture or die shrink. Late March to Early April.

It doesn't look to me like they overclock any better than 2500K & 2600K'shttp://www.overclock...readsheet/0_40#

What I got from that is a high percentage (nearly all) of the 2700k CPUs hitting 4.8+ and with consistently lower voltages than the 2500k/2600k.

What I got from that is a high percentage (nearly all) of the 2700k CPUs hitting 4.8+ and with consistently lower voltages than the 2500k/2600k.

Mine runs @ about 1.355Vcore @ 4.8. As far as I know, Word Not Allowed's chip requires much more Vcore at the same voltage. He has a 2600K.

What I got from that is a high percentage (nearly all) of the 2700k CPUs hitting 4.8+ and with consistently lower voltages than the 2500k/2600k.

The 2700K sample size is not big enough, but the difference is minimal. For 4.8GHz the avg Vcore for a 2500K is 1.408V, 2600K is 1.392V and 1.376V for the 2700K (only 5 entries)Mine does 4.8GHz at 1.36V too, It's still a gamble no matter which one you get.

Edited February 15, 201214 yr by dazz

Ben

"The better 2600K's are now getting labeled as 2700K. I wouldn't go out and buy a 2600K anymore because all of the good chips are getting sold as 2700's"

Does that mean all the "bad" 2600's are being sold as 2500's? :Peace:To the OP just check with Bjote on the BP=0 i thought at one time he was recommending a video card with 2GB VRAM for that to work - but I could be mistaken.RegardsPeterH

BenTo the OP just check with Bjote on the BP=0 i thought at one time he was recommending a video card with 2GB VRAM for that to work - but I could be mistaken.RegardsPeterH

Peter,Your memory is correct on that one (I think), but if so, he was mistaken. I run B=0 on my 1.5g card for a noticable performance increase without an obvious down side.Kind regards,