New PC

U_Fig

Right i'm thinking of building a little htpc. To keep it quiet n small I'm sticking with intel HD 3000 core i3 sandybridge CPU. The 2105 model Prob going for intel H67 or Z68 mITX motherboard maybe mATX depending on if I need 2 pci express or one for my tv tuners. And which case I choose

The build at this stage will net be till next month some time (ie April) and with the release of ivybridge next month Along with with the h77 and z77 chipsets Do you think I'd be better waiting and getting an ivy bridge i3. As either CPU is capable of everything I'll be needing its the integrated graphics I'm more Concerned over. It's been reported the the intel HD 4000 gives up to 50-60 percent improvement in benchmarks and for what will likely be not that much more expensive..it also runs at 55w rather than 65w that sandybridge..meaning a smaller power supply and less fans so less noise
I don't really need the added features the new chipsets introduce Like pice 3.0 but do like the USB 3.0 native support on the motherboard rather than though a different chipset I've had a lot of trouble with drivers lately on my XPS 15

So what you guys think I should do. I'm kinda stuck in the middle and can't make up my mind so need a little coaxing in one direction ( not the band )

Tea_Bag

if you can afford to wait, it couldn't hurt

Torqay

Waiting for the next best thing is a loser's game, or so they say.

Ivy Bridge has come down in price quite a lot, Sandy Bridge will be more expensive. And I wouldn't jump for them immediately, rather wait another few weeks then until real-world tests and reviews become available.

You won't get any coaxing from me though, the call is entirely yours to make.

Tea_Bag

Torqay wrote: »

Waiting for the next best thing is a loser's game, or so they say.

Ivy Bridge has come down in price quite a lot, Sandy Bridge will be more expensive. And I wouldn't jump for them immediately, rather wait another few weeks then until real-world tests and reviews become available.

You won't get any coaxing from me though, the call is entirely yours to make.

?

ivy bridge is 2 weeks away, its hardly a losers game.

Ivy bridge hasnt changed in price at all, seeing as its not released yet?

Torqay

Tea_Bag wrote: »

?

ivy bridge is 2 weeks away, its hardly a losers game.

Ivy bridge hasnt changed in price at all, seeing as its not released yet?

Emphasis on "or so they say".

And yes, they have come down a good bit with the next gen release around the corner, look at laptop prices, a month or two ago you would have hardly gotten any i5 under 500 yoyos, or i7 with discrete graphics for 650, unthinkable.

Retailers clearing their stock now because in a few weeks nobody would want a 2nd Gen anymore.

Tea_Bag

Torqay wrote: »

Emphasis on "or so they say".

And yes, they have come down a good bit with the next gen release around the corner, look at laptop prices, a month or two ago you would have hardly gotten any i5 under 500 yoyos, or i7 with discrete graphics for 650, unthinkable.

Retailers clearing their stock now because in a few weeks nobody would want a 2nd Gen anymore.

isnt mobile ivy delayed for a month or more or something?

In theory there shouldnt be much of a price difference between SB and IB. the i5-3570K or whatever should just replace the 2500K, at just under €200.

Torqay

Yep, the mobiles have been delayed.

The i5-3570K will be introduced at $225, the i5-2500K you'll get cheaper at the moment (quick look, found $210).

Edit: Mind you, the 2500k is a top class CPU and thus in pretty high demand, I suppose elsewhere the differences will greater.

Tea_Bag

the 2500k has been going up in price for a while now, since Bulldozer was launched actually. i got mine for €170 a few months ago, same place has it at €195 now.

Torqay

As I said, the 2500K is a very popular CPU (for good reasons), I wouldn't use it as a general pricing reference.

U_Fig

I hear what your saying it's more to the point that I would not be building it regardless of the CPU I choose till April anyway . I'm not waiting especially for the latest release by the time I get around to the build I'll have a choice..I could buy the parts now or wait closer to the time of the build is what I was saying.I think I'm gonna wait and see the prices when I go to buy and if it justifies the extra few quid then I will and if not Sabdybrige will do just fine...

Ya I was originally thinking 2500k but it's overkill for what I need..