It is really rather quite tempting, but as other people have pointed out, I can't really think of anything that my current rig dosn't tear to peices (gfx aside).
And there you go. Not as clear cut as you might've believed. Despite the potential to "miss out" on the next big thing. A TUF 1366 or 1156 i5/i7 could be very interesting depending on pricing, post-launch. There's also the question of what AMD will do in the sub-£100 bracket. Whilst nobody doubts SB is the new king, the old stuff was hardly crap and if it does get cheaper, win. The last CPU I bought was a 939 X2 and what was originally very expensive was had by me for £40 after it went EOL. Watch this space innit......
I am still pleased with my 950, so will wait until some more reviews are out and any problems are found! Other than bigger numbers and better benches I am not sure about the real world desktop performance gains?
So very, VERY tempting, but as so many people before me have said, I'll probably wait until enough people have provided positive feedback. Better to wait and everything to be okay than to buy on the first day and find faults with the chip, amirite? But still.. With all of that in mind, I still may buy it on day one, however. I've held my breath until now to build a new rig to replace my aging Athlon 64 X2 5000+ box, and I don't think I can hold it much longer!!
So let me see if I have this correct; Unlocked CPU + P67 = Overclocking, but 3000 series graphics go unused; no accelerated encoding, so a much cheaper locked CPU on a H67 board will actually beat your more expensive rig when it comes to video stuff. Unlocked CPU + H67 = No overclocking even though you paid for the unlocked chip, but you get accelerated encoding and can actually use the 3000 series graphics for general purposes too. Locked CPU + H67 = No overclocking. You get to use the graphics for encoding/general purpose but it's only be 2000 series, not the significantly better 3000 series. Good job Intel! Three scenarios which all have significant downsides.
I guess it would depend if the GPU is completely disabled or just the output is disabled on P67 boards.
Unlocked CPU + Z68 = overclocking and ability to utilise 3000 series graphics in parallel to discrete card as well as accelerated encoding. Intel always find new ways to suck your wallet dry...
...and guess who is suspending the cake in the air? Yup, you guessed it, Intel. Of the cheese variety?
I intend to wait a month or so because I was originally going to wait to see what the Nvidia 560 was like. The more I think about it now, depending on prices in a months time I may have to spoil myself and get both.
No retailers have even a "coming soon" or "pre-order" on these CPUs. And there are no available mother boards. Looks like I'm going to be sitting around with my thumb up my arse for another few weeks...
I was tempted, especially after reading this review. Unfortunately my bedroom tv died last night, so this means a shiny new 50" plasma has to be purchased for the front room. Hopefully by the time I can afford a Sandy Bridge system it will all have settled down.
You're right, that review does seem pretty damn good. Seems like Asus have set the bar at the moment...
Overclockers were just updating their site and showed the 2500K with a price of £189.99. They were too quick for me to take a screenshot though. Also the P8P67 Pro was listed as £149.99.
Aria have the 2500K @ £172.20 and the 2600K @ £251.99, both including VAT and available on pre-order. Source: http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/CPUs+/+Processors/
