Question on CPU and Motherboard

[Nebiros]

Currently in the process of building a new computer. I am going with a core i7 and was wondering if the socket type of the CPU (LGA 1366) *has* to match up with the motherboard socket type. Would i have to purchase a motherboard with a socket type of 1366. Is it required that i do so in order for it to work? I only ask because i am close to the spending limit.

[Nixia]

Yes, they must match. A 1366 processor will only work in a 1366 socket, 1156 will only work in 1156 and so on.

[Cilraaz]

Yes. The socket type of the CPU must match the socket type of the motherboard.

[Jiran]

If you also go with the i7/1366 setup, you will need to buy your memory as tri channel too. (3x2gb, 6gb total) preferred. Vs. an 1156 setup which is dual channel (2x2gb, 4gb total) preferred.


But my question to you is this? Do you plan to take advantage of hyper threading or planning to run tri fire/tri sli?? That is the major advantage vs an 1156 setup.

If you're sticking to 1-2 video cards, and have no use for hyperthreading, save yourself some money and go with an i5 750/1156 setup. Theres not a huge huge difference between tri channel and dual channel memory setups for gaming at this time.

the i5 750 and the i7 920/930 bench roughly the exact same in most games.

[Cilraaz]

If you also go with the i7/1366 setup, you will need to buy your memory as tri channel too. (3x2gb, 6gb total) preferred. Vs. an 1156 setup which is dual channel (2x2gb, 4gb total) preferred.

A triple channel RAM setup isn't mandatory. If you put 2 matching sticks of RAM in, an i7 setup will default back to dual channel.

[Jiran]

A triple channel RAM setup isn't mandatory. If you put 2 matching sticks of RAM in, an i7 setup will default back to dual channel.

It isnt, but why wouldnt you do it? It's like putting cheap tires on a corvette

[Cilraaz]

It isnt, but why wouldnt you do it? It's like putting cheap tires on a corvette

It's an easy place to save a few bucks and then add to later. The performance drop from triple channel to dual channel is negligible at best.

[Jiran]

It's an easy place to save a few bucks and then add to later. The performance drop from triple channel to dual channel is negligible at best.

Building an i7/1366 and doing it cheap are two things that really should be advised against. It's the performance tier.

there is just no point to half assing a 1366 build when you could build an 1156 within the budget and get equal/better performance due to savings in other areas, that the user will see no benefit too.

IMO, if you're going 1366, you're usually going all out.

[Jiran]

Dual channel vs tri channel in gaming performance (especially for wow), not so much of a diff. In other areas, such as multi threaded software development, video encoding, photo work etc. Big gains.

[Cilraaz]

I agree that it's not optimal. However, I've yet to see any proof that triple channel provides any substantial benefit.

[Jiran]

I agree that it's not optimal. However, I've yet to see any proof that triple channel provides any substantial benefit.

I see it everyday in what I do. I architect heavy process intensive multi threaded business process management applications that monitor and administer hundreds of thousands of transacational data types.

But I agree with you above, for "current" gaming you see "little" benefit. You do see an increase though, it is just negligible.