Maximum PC

So, I like to build a computer about every two years. Two years ago, I built the following:

i7-870 (2.93 Turbo to 3.2)
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3
8GB (4x2GB) OCZ 1600 RAM
MSi nVidia 670 (Recently upgraded from an eVGA nVidia 460 768MB)
128GB OCZ Vertex3 SSD (Primary)
240GB OCZ Agility3 SSD (just recently added to store games)
1TB Samsung F3 (Storage)
CoolerMaster 690 II
Corsair H50 CPU Cooler

Normally, I'm eager to get the latest and greatest mainly because there is such a leap in speed between my previous computer and what is available. BUT...I don't feel that way this time.

I'm quite content with my 870. With the CPU cooler, it always runs at 3.2 when in use. I think I have some real decent hardware in the computer (and I would re-use if I were to build again). I have never sat at my computer and thought, "Geez! get done already!" - and I have always felt that way previously.

I game, surf, some "office" work (Word, Excel, PP), but no video editing; vary rarely will I convert audio files.

So my question is two-fold:

1 Is it worth upgrading to Ivy Bridge? Will I really see a dramatic increase in performance?
2 Since Ivy Bridge is the "tick", has anyone heard what we can expect from the next generation of CPUs (the infamous "tock" in Intel's release cadence)?

I appreciate your assistance!

Your build is pretty top shelf as is really. Your CPU is technically "old" but in all honesty the first generation i7s still have plenty of life left in them. You have 4 physical cores with a total of 8 logical cores with HT enabled all running at a pretty decent clock speed. Your video card that I see you recently updated is one of the top end cards around. Looking at the rest of your specifications I really don't see anything that would get you a drastic & noticeable increase in speed especially if you're satisfied with what you have. I try and make my rigs last as long as I can as well which is why I held on to a Core 2 Duo E7400 for so long before upgrading to an i5 2500K, let me tell you that was one heck of a leap.

To summarize:

Would you see a noticeable increase in performance?

For the tasks that you listed you might notice an extremely slight increase in speed but even that's a maybe. Sure your system would benchmark higher but frankly I look more at real world performance when I upgrade as opposed to benchmarks. I say keep what you have now and see what Intel's "tock", aka Medfield, brings to the table and see if the system still meets your needs. In all honesty with what you have now you're likely good for at least another year or two if not potentially more.

I'm on the same page here. The first gen Core i7 parts have a lot of life still left in them. The most taxing thing you do is play video games, if you took that out of the equation, you could use the Core i7 until it gave up the ghost and you'd still be fine.

For what you do with your PC, NO. You've already done the one thing that will improve your situation... upgraded from the 460 to the 670, an upgrade I'm hopeing to make for myself by Christmas!

You really need to be doing things like Video Editing/encoding, 3D Modeling & Animation, CAD/CAM, Folding at Home, etc... to see a benefit in moving to Ivy Bridge from your current setup.

Thank you, everybody. By deferring another year, I can gather more funds to build an even better computer.

I do intend on building a micro-ATX budget computer soon - but it won't be my primary (I'll probably donate it to a family member or charity). But, when the time comes, I will be sure to ask you fine people for advice.

Thanks, again.