whispercat wrote:
I thought only the i3 chipsets were locked? Oh, I see, you mean OC'ing the graphics chipsets
Nope. Everything but a K can only be overclocked 4 bumps (400mhz) above its turbo frequency. AFAICT this 'overclocking' is just use and extension of the turbo mode, and the default clock remains. i3's, AFAIK, don't have turbo, so don't have this. xxxxK's have unlocked multipliers.
BUT only p67 can use this. AFAIK, h67 can't do the 'turbo' overclocking either, but i'm not sure. I believe the h67 *can* do oc-ing of the graphics, memory and voltages.
This, combined with the fact that only the K cpus have the faster GPU, is a huge mess up IMO. I am due an upgrade after selling my Wolfdale setup. Before Sandy Bridge I was planning on an i3. This would allow me to run a semi passive system, with cpu graphics, which could also be OCed into the 4.4ghz range when desired.
I was considering spending more on a K, which i could justify in that it would allow me to play games without an extra card, just about acceptably, perhaps with a gpu OC. But without the ability to UC on h67, it would offer me no cooling advantage, or cost saving, over an i3+ real graphics card. fail.
Another failure, still no 24p support (an important fact missing in the review here). So its no good as an HTPC.
Another, where the graphics isn't used (read: p67), there will be no support for the fast encoding. So piss off those who will use a dedicated graphics card too.
Dissapointing not to see many higher OCs yet too.
I appreciate the fact that SPCR attempted to simulate a dual-core version, but failed to highlight the significant fact that no dual core will have the better onboard graphics. Which leaves a CPU which uses about the same power, and has about the same graphics power.
This really leaves us with a lamed solution until the z68 comes out. I guess it really depends on how much the motherboards cost, I have a suspicion intel may milk the z68 a little. It is also a shame to see nothing with the good gpu/ unlocked for dual core. The H61 looked a little interesting for a moment as a cheap option until discovering in has no sata 6gb/s, the main reason preventing me from jumping on clarkdale in the first place.
Now, this leaves me considering not which sandy bridge, but whether it is worth spending extra money on and potentially sticking with a dead platform (1156) or getting another wolfdale/Yorkfield to tide me over to z68 or ivy bridge!