Upgrade itch, need some advice!

wasteomind

So I've got the urge to upgrade again. I just got a GTX 680 to replace my tri sli gtx 280s, and a Crucial M4 256gb SSD to replace my Velociraptor RAID 0 setup. I'm feeling the itch for another upgrade and I'm debating between picking up a second gtx680 somehow, or upgrading my MOBO and CPU.

I'm leaning more towards the MOBO/CPU for a couple reasons. The first being I picked up the first generation EVGA X58 3x SLI board and while it has served me well it had one massive glaring issue, Sleep mode resume while overclocked. Too many problems with it to use it. While it wasn't a big issue I wish I could have used it. More annoyingly, was the double pump start from cold boot, even sometimes on restart, and just a generally long BIOS/POST start up. BIOS updates on the board also led to some wonky overclock inconsistencies and stability from version to version.

Another reason is I ended up with the C0 stepping on my CPU and didn't have much luck with it compared to others. So I've been running my 920 at 3.8ghz with turbo enabled for the past 4+ years and I just want to go faster. I play MMOs somewhat frequently which are CPU heavy, and would thus be my biggest motivation for targeting the CPU but I'm not sure the benefits of upgrading would be worth it.

One thing I'm really interested in the newer platforms is the Virtual Vsync, since vsync is an absolute must for me. Is this Lucid technology ready for prime time (I haven't seen much about it) or is it another driver compatibility nightmare pipe dream like their Hydra platform was?

A concern however is I thought Intel was getting ready to phase out this current generation socket type, and that not to long from now we might be looking at a new micro architecture cycle Haswell. Am I wrong? Also what about CPU revisions for Ivy Bridge? I really don't wanna get owned on something like the Bloomfield C0 vs D0 stepping again....

A bit longer post then I expected, but I guess it covers my question; In your opinion, where is my money best spent, an additional GTX 680 or a new CPU/MOBO platform.

deltatux · 05-28-2012, 20:51 | posts: 18,943 | Location: Toronto, Canada

Lucid's technology is still rather experimental, it works in some games, doesn't work with others. Virtual VSync works quite well but don't expect it to work wonders.

To be honest, disable your Turbo and often you can hit higher clockspeed. I heard that for some people, disabling HyperThreading also help (to be honest your MMOs will benefit from higher clock speed than more threads).

deltatux

wasteomind · 05-28-2012, 21:13 | posts: 285 | Location: HOMELESS

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltatux

Lucid's technology is still rather experimental, it works in some games, doesn't work with others. Virtual VSync works quite well but don't expect it to work wonders.

To be honest, disable your Turbo and often you can hit higher clockspeed. I heard that for some people, disabling HyperThreading also help (to be honest your MMOs will benefit from higher clock speed than more threads).

deltatux

I disabled HT and Turbo while testing and I ran into bclock limitations around 197ish. I run on water, and couldn't find any workable variation of acceptable voltages or heat to find stability, so I backed off to 190 and left it there where it has been solid for years.

StewieTech · 05-28-2012, 21:40 | posts: 737 | Location: Portugal

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasteomind

In your opinion, where is my money best spent, an additional GTX 680 or a new CPU/MOBO platform.

Sticking to this question only: cpu/mb.

680 is very powerful. Get now a mb that supports SLI and then latter when you feel it´s time, add a second one.

clawhamer · 05-28-2012, 22:23 | posts: 1,585 | Location: eastcoast.ca

I'm with Stewie on this one, MB\CPU upgrade.

You could wait to see if revisions bring better performance, but then the platform draws closer to EOL. At that point you may think waiting for the new architecture may be a better idea, but once again you're back to first released CPUs.

It’s a vicious cycle...

If what is currently available is enough of an upgrade over your current, then go for it now if the performance increase is worth the money too you.

I’d say your current system should be able to handle one 680 just fine... two, not so much. For 680 SLI, your money would be better spent upgrading the MB\CPU first.

wasteomind · 05-28-2012, 22:34 | posts: 285 | Location: HOMELESS

In that case what is my best option for a budget of 500 bucks? I'm fairly out of the loop since the 920s released. Is Ivy Bridge really that big of a difference clock for clock over Nehalem?

Coming from an i7 920 at 3.8ghz on water, I know I want to at least end up at 4.5-4.8ghz minimum if possible. I'm not looking to get a mobo with 9329030323 bells and whistles I'll never use, or 50 gaglilllion power phases that don't make a difference at all in terms of overclocking ability when the cpu will end up being the limiting factor. Unless of course I'm mistaking my pessimism from previous experience with reality.

I think I want to avoid EVGA mobos this time around unless there is something that is an absolute must have. I think I'd like to have a board capable of the virtual vsync feature so I could at least play with it, but also be able to completely disable it like it wasn't there with no ill effects if it turns out to be trash.