Upgrade time! Sandy bridge or Ivy bridge?

So its time for an upgrade :celebrate First of all let me list what I am currently running:
NZXT M59 Case
DFI LANPARTY UT X48-T2R
Q6600 C2Q 2.40 GHz (Stock)
G.Skill 4GB DDR2 800
EVGA GTX 460 (Superclocked)
Tuniq 120 Extreme
Antec TP-650 650W
Seagate Barracuda 2x 360 GB (Raid0)
Seagate Barracuda 1 TB
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

I have been out of the loop for a minute, but the last I heard was the sandy bridge 2600K was the mother of all CPU's! I see now we have Ivy Bridge. So before I go looking into a mobo I need to figure out which CPU I am going with. Im looking at the I5's. But not ruling out the I7's. I dont have alot of money to spend on the upgrade but I think I am going to keep what I have and upgrade the mobo memory and CPU.

I am an enthusiast and do all sorts of things online. Anything from general surfing to watching movies and some gaming. I have a 42" aquous that I will stream movies to. I dont get the opportunity to upgrade all that often. (In other words I'm married) So this needs to count. Im looking at a budget of about $350-$400.

Any help would be great!
Thanks!
Ciber

 

Update: So here is what I am looking at... What do you think?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

 

Well if you have a MicroCenter store near you the i5-3570K is only $190. They were running a special (in store pickup only though) where you'd get an addditional $50 off any Z77 chipset mobo when you buy a i5-3570k.
I got my ASRock Z77 Pro4 and i5-3570K for $260, but I have a MicroCenter 45 miles away.

Sam

 

Well I couldn't wait any longer.... So here's what I am going with....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128546
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231468

 

Understand the motherboard is the heart and soul of the computer and therefore, when you "upgrade" the motherboard, in terms of software licenses, that is considered a "new" computer.

Consequently,

Note the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824125, near the bottom under More Information (my bold added),

And note Microsoft OEM Licensing FAQ, under System Builder Licensing, 8th Q&A,

So with that in mind, be sure to budget for a new OS license too, or use one of the many free and capable Linux alternatives.

I do, however, recommend you get 8Gb of RAM (for dual channel motherboards, 6Gb for triple) and a 64-bit OS.

 

Ummm.... digirati..... this is a hardware upgrade. Please troll someone else. Had you even looked at what I was installing you would put 2 and 2 together and realize that I am going with a 64 bit O.S. because I listed 8 gb of ram on my previous post.

And for that reason, I call you a troll

 

That was uncalled for. I did not attack you. But because I "recommend" 64-bit with 8Gb you launch personal insults?

You came here seeking help and in YOUR opening post you said,

I responded to YOUR CALL FOR HELP and I posted information that may be pertinent to your situation (or to others reading now, or in the future - this is not a private conversation, after all), with links to the source - and you slap the one trying to help you in the face!

If you don't like the message, fine. You have the right to ignore it. But don't attack the messenger. That's not what forums, places for open discussions and the sharing of information, are about.

All you had to say was "thanks", or nothing. Personal insults were not necessary or appropriate.

 

I understand your point but remember the point here is this posting is in the hardware section asking for input on the sandy bridge vs the ivy bridge which you failed to give any input on. Not to mention me stating what I was planning on upgrading so people understood what I wasplanning on keeping. I don't understand why software would even be mentioned. Also I speak my mind and if I feel you are trolling I will say so. I'm sure you have valuable info but please keep it on topic. Furthermore, I posted what I bought to basically close the thread.....

Oh I see you work for microsoft.......hmmm. rolleyes

 

Off Topic

MS MVPs do not work for Microsoft. They are recognized for their expertise in specific areas of software or hardware and their willingness to help other users.
We are fortunate to have several MVPs on the forum, past and present.
Digerati's comments are applicable if your version of Win 7 is an OEM/System Builder as opposed to a Full Retail Version.

MS MVP

Back On Topic

 

My apologies then.

 

A simple question would have cleared up the OS situation, no need to jump to conclusions and launch into a lecture that was only partially accurate anyway.

 

I did not answer that because I don't know the answer and I was too lazy to enter into Google or Bing, "sandy bridge vs ivy bridge" read through all the excellent information and comparisons, compile it, then post it for you here. Sorry about that.

And yet you added with no clarification, rational or example,

Oh? How? I simply quoted the official source, with links to corroborate. Unless you can show otherwise, I will trust the official Microsoft posted documents that detail Microsoft policy.

AND SIMPLY BECAUSE there is so much misunderstanding on that very topic, I will continue to inform users of it - so they have ALL the information they need to make an informed, legal decision. And not just the information I (or you) think they should know.

I do not, never have and never will work for Microsoft. Nor did I (or any MVP) get his or her "award" for "promoting" Microsoft products or services. The fact of the matter is, I don't really like Microsoft, the company - and they know it. But I do like their products. Just because I don't like the company, that does not mean I will not defend the laws that protect them, or us - even if I don't like the laws either!

 

Did you even read the above Digerati?

 

Yes I did, and that is entirely correct, and exactly in line with what I said in the first place. I spoke only of, and linked to OEM documentation only.

So I ask again, what was only partially accurate?

 

You did not mention Retail; given that the OP had made no mention of which version he had, or intended to use, and you hadn't bothered to ask before launching into another of your lectures, I'd say you made a serious omission.

 

Besides the OEM vs Retail issue here. When you do some gaming, what games? At max everything? Sandybridge. Casual Ivybridge. Latest and greatest Ivybridge. Workhorse? Sandybridge-E. I'm waiting on ivybridge-e myself, perhaps, maybe. I recently upgrade my video card to a GTX 680 lightning. So, I'm good for quite some time, check my signature.

 

I see. So since your entry to this thread was AFTER lbmest had already posted a clarification on that point, instead of joining the thread to contribute to the help process, you decided to join the thread for the sole purpose of criticizing a poster, his posting style and the information presented. Wow. That's pretty sad. I mean unless you are an appointed Mod or admin, but you're not.

Why didn't you slam me for not mentioning upgrade licenses? That's clearly a serious omission on your part too. Right? Perhaps if you are going to run around criticizing others for what you don't want to hear, you should be more thorough too.

******

@C1B3R5NYP3R - It seemed pretty clear to me when I posted that information that I was only talking about OEM/SB licenses. After all, something like 90 - 95% of all Windows licenses sold are OEM/SB (since most computers are factory built or self-built with OEM), or Upgrade licenses (which, it is important to note, are typically tied back to a previous version "OEM" license - again since most computer are factory or self-built with OEM).

But of course, I wrote it - so it is easy for my mind to fill in the blanks. That's what I get for assuming.

So my apologies for assuming the license you have now might not be one of the 5% that are full Retail, twice as expensive and transferable. Had I pasted in the long version of my canned-text or "lecture" and bored someone even more, I would have included the following (I would just edit it now, but it too much time has passed):

Please note a common misunderstanding is some users assume they can use their old Windows license on a new computer, or with their upgraded motherboard. Only the "boxed" full Retail license can be transferred to a new computer (or upgraded motherboard). It is illegal to use an OEM/System Builders license that came with or was purchased for one computer on another computer. A disk “branded” with a computer maker’s brand name, or is labeled with “OEM", "OEM/System Builder”, “Upgrade”, “Academic Edition”, or "For Distribution with a new PC only", is not transferable to a new PC (or upgraded motherboard) under any circumstances. These OEM licenses are inextricably tied to the "original equipment". And most importantly, we, as users, agreed to the terms of the end-user licensing agreement (EULA) when we continued to use the software. That makes it legally binding.

With that in mind, if you need to buy a new license I recommend 64-bit Windows 7 or one of the many free Linux alternatives. ​

FTR - I don't care about Microsoft, Newegg, or BestBuy profits. I care about users knowing ALL the facts (and consequences) so they can make informed decisions - even if it is information they (or someone else) don't really want to hear (typically because it means a bigger hit on the budget). That's just life.

Too much information is better than not enough. You and other readers can cull out what does not apply to you. The site, not self-appointed mods, can decide if too much is way too much or not.

And back OT - For the record, Gigabyte boards are my preferred brand and I think that i5-3570K is a good match to it. I am a bit surprised that board has a DVI port. While obviously larger than HDMI, HDMI migration to computers (from the home theater industry) is flawed - still too many problems for a lot of people. So I am glad to see DVI is still hanging around. Also nice is the large passive (heatsink only - no fan) coolers over the chipset and power regulators.

I've done a lot of builds with Gigabyte. While DOAs happen, by far I have had the fewest with Gigabyte (and then ASUS) - and they were immediately replaced, no questions asked. I've had just one fail prematurely (before the computer was retired) - 3 months past the 3-year warranty. And Gigabyte still replaced it. So that sold me on the company too.

 

They may are getting old for the regulars like you, but I don't post that information for you or satrow. Do not assume because you read it before that everyone knows it. For clearly most people do NOT understand their rights, AND obligations, or the potential consequences.

So why stick our heads in the sand and pretend license agreements (and warranties) do not matter? You are incorrect to say most builders are beyond that - not the ones I know. And to that - if they are, then THEY are violating the terms of their agreement with Microsoft as the System Builder!

Why is the truth about licenses so important for you and satrow to stifle? That's what worries me. Why do you regulars want to turn a blind eye to the fact that the illegal use of software licenses is just that, illegal?

My posts would not cause confusion, IMO, if you guys did immediately jump in with obfuscations and personal affronts. If you don't like my posts, ignore them, report them, or post a correction - if I am wrong.

But if my information is right, and may apply, then I would ask you stick to the business at hand and make sure what you are saying is true. And let the staff moderate the site.

They are watching, I am game, and that would be up to them. But to that, I would not then expect any self-appointed forum censors to criticize whenever someone links to them - and especially not joining a thread just to criticize.

The "dispute" would have been over with a long time ago, and the thread moved on if you guys did not drag it on.

Come on! Clearly it is me, and my manner of posting technical information you don't like. Get over it. Was my information wrong? No. This is a technical forum. There's no need for these constant personal affronts here.

If you don't like what I have to say, report the post.

 

What exactly was in my opening post that hindered you or anyone else in any way from helping out and contributing? Please tell us.

Once again, you all could have simply ignored it. But once again, instead you pounced, and are still pouncing with more personal affronts.

My opening post was a bit long because I tried to make it easy for all by extracting the pertinent information from the supporting evidence links and posting them there.

But apparently that style is not up to your standards.

I don't think wordy posts are the problem here. The problem is you folks want to control what information posters get, plus I am upsetting the apple-cart by discouraging a common (but still illegal) practice. And of course, no one wants to be considered a software thief.

I would like all to be friends, but that's not why I am here. I am here to make sure, once again, users have all the information and the correct information they need to make informed decisions.

So I say one last time, if the information I present is incorrect (and it was not because ESPECIALLY when dealing with MS issues, I verify my facts) then by all means, post a correction (preferably with supporting evidence). But if you just don't like my style, report it, or ignore it. But stop clogging up the threads chastising people who are here, like you, also trying to help. Especially if their information IS accurate.

Not if it blindly leads them down an illegal path - especially when WE know better! That's not giving good advice! ADVISING the OP on the best and proper way to obtain their goals is why I am here.

 

Digerati, had you not ignored the possibility of it being a Retail version in your opening reply, there would have been little to clarify. I know you are capable of better than this, here's an equivalent section from a reply by you from elsewhere less than a year ago:

If you see a post encouraging any illegalities, red flag it and let the Admin staff and Owners decide.

 

Enough said by satrow. Look you scared off the OP.

 

Wow. Still on a personal insult assault.

If all you wannabe mods did not ignore lbmest's comment he made WAY BEFORE ANY OF YOU DECIDED TO PILE ON with your own personal attacks, insults, and criticisms, this thread never would have turned ugly. Go back and look at satrows posts in this thread. Not one contributes to helping the OP. He posted 4 times just to criticize. Not one ounce of help to the OP.

Then of course the rest of the gang piles on, dragging it on and on, and down and down long after the message was clarified, and apologized for.

It is clear some of you regulars have your little cliques and sure don't like it when other, equally or more qualified experts post a different viewpoint - even if true and applicable. That's too bad because understanding there is more than one way to things, or that things change and sometimes the status quo is wrong, is how we grow.

lbmest caught and corrected my mistake (and stayed technical, not personal - but professional about it too!) long before you wannabe mods pounced with your personal attacks that provided zero value to the thread.

I am not the one with the problem here.

I am done watching this thread and have unsubscribed.