[BlizzardUK]

I use video encoding software, not games, and use software that does support QuickSync (Nero 11 and TMPGenc).

I currently have a 1090T because of the 6 cores. Should I purchase an IvyBridge i7 3770K overclocked to 4.3ghz ? By this question I mean would there be a significant improvement in speed for encoding ? Or is it money thrown down the drain ? Would cost me around £550 to upgrade to a motherboard with enough SATA on for my drives. This is quite a lot for me to spend, but I could do it if a significant jump in speed.

Thanks all !!

[c4rv]

Can't you get a cheaper motherboard and PCI-E sata controller ?

Also don't forget you will be able to sell your existing CPU and motherboard to off set the cost.

As for speed increase, if you apps support quicksync then yes you should see a significant improvement.

[BlizzardUK]

Thanks. I guess I could maybe get a SATA card, but one with 4 ports is £99, so almost the cost of a 8 port motherboard alone. I already have a 2 port controller so would need an 4 port to make up the loss (or another 2 port which takes up another slot though).

Amazing how a 4 core can beat a 6 core with encoding. Thanks for the advice.

Speaking of off-setting the cost, I was thinking I might keep the 1090T but sell my other PC which is a Phenom II x4 940, but only the motherboard, cpu/fan, and memory. So then I can slip in the 1090T to that case and have 2 decent encoding PCs. How much do you think I would get for the below on Ebay ? I know it isn't much of a PC these days, but should be good for some as it is 3ghz quad core.

Specs......

AMD Phenom II X4 940 3ghz CPU with cooler/heatsink
Asrock A780FullDisplayPort AM2+ Motherboard
4GB DDR2 Memory

[c4rv]

Maybe around £80 to £100 for CPU, M/B and RAM.