Computer Audio Asylum

Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

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New CPUs & mobos using latest 32nm Sandybridge architecture (2011q1): Intel exiting from PCI - PCIe preferred

Posted by cics on December 20, 2010 at 21:06:52:
Yes its that time again.

There's a new range of 32nm Core ix-xxxx CPUs using a new socket (1155 from previous 1156). The exciting thing about this 2nd generation 32nm CPU is lower power consumption and improved performance - everything is integrated into a single 32nm die. If my memory serves me correctly, 1156 based Core ix CPUs & mobos required more 5V load (for QPI interface component). This is done away with. New as well is Intel's AVX instruction set allowing for 256 bit processing which is NOT supported in XP. For the enthusiasts, more information on Intel's Sandybridge can be found here.

Gigabyte's H67 chipset based mobos will support these CPUs: GA-H67MA-UD2H which offers no PCI slots! H65/7 based mobos that do provide PCI support does so using a separate PCI/PCIe chip which is not ideal. Intel will offer PCI support for Q61/5/7 chipsets - problem is finding a mobo that uses these.

What is not clear is chipset support for Intel's 22nm CPUs (Ivy-bridge) which will use the 1155 socket. This 22nm shrink of Sandybridge would yield even greater efficiencies but ideally we don't want to get another mobo.

I want to get the Lynx AES16e to try with this new hw. Will it improve on current hw specs (Core i3-530 + GB-H55M-UD2H) is the big question? I would recommend avoid using the PCIEx16 slot (which runs off the CPU). PCIEx16 is very fast indeed but I suspect for audio it will not be a good choice as the CPU is powered using multiple power phases (previous mobo uses 4 whilst new one goes to 8). Instead use other PCIe slots (running off H67 chipset). This is why I'm not keen on mini-ITX mobos as they only offer a single "noisy" PCIEx16 slot.

CPU option would be lowest spec Core i3-2100 @ 3.1GHz (K spec) - avoid S & T spec CPUs. BIOS would be very similar to current setup.