Intel Core i3/i5/i7

[hifihigh]

Hi, I am currently looking to buy a new desktop pc but I haven't really been keeping up with current developments in pc hardware so I am not sure what to look for.

Anyway I was wondering if I buy a computer with an i3/i5 processor now will I be able to upgrade it with an i7 processor in a few years or are they incompatible?

Also how do the current range of AMD Phenom II processors compare to the Intels? Will they be upgradable in a few years or are they about to be replaced with a new type?

[FlossyThePig]

How many years are you talking about? To upgrade my current machine I will require at least a new motherboard, memory and processor.

[hifihigh]

I would probably be keeping the machine for a couple of years then looking on ebay for a replacement processor and gfx card etc when they have come down in price.

At the moment I have an amd athlon 3700 socket 754 and the motherboard only supports agp/pci so there is not much scope to upgrade it unfortunately.

[RichardD]

Following on from a topic I had trying to upgrade graphics card and failing (so I'll be getting a new base unit come Autumn), I started to look regarding CPU's as my knowledge was rather out of date.

Good info here, explaining sockets etc on the i5 and i7 :-

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,...

[michaeljclark]

Well PC Pro rate the i5-750 as the A-List at the mo: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/alist/processor as soon as I can find a small case/MoBo combo I like I'll be getting one!