I7 vs I5

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Hi guys,

I know this has been asked 1000's and 1000's of times but I'm upgrading my PC to an Intel 6600k or 6700k. (Currently using an FX 8-core) I'll be using the Asus z170 motherboard as seen in the video on the oc3d channel.

Basic run down

CPU: 6600k / 6700k
MB: Asus z170
Gpu: Gigabyte gtx 980 g1 gaming (already have it in my current computer)
Ram: corsair LPX 32gb 2666 kit
PSU: corsair ax850 gold (also already have this)
CPU cooler: will be a h110i

I would like to over clock which ever CPU I get, up to around the 4.5 - 4.8.

The main things I will be doing on the pc Is gaming mainly battlefield 1, planet coaster, mafia 3 and racing sims along the lines of assetto corsair and project cars. and any other future releases of games that take my fancy, I'm laso planning to keep the system for around the 5 year mark.

Cheers

 

[NeverBackDown]

If you plan on keeping it for 5 years then I don't see why you would get lower than the i7. Doesn't seem like a budget issue so I say i7. Although for another 5 years, might need to upgrade the GPU or SLI

 

[Doomslayer]

If you plan on keeping it for 5 years then I don't see why you would get lower than the i7. Doesn't seem like a budget issue so I say i7. Although for another 5 years, might need to upgrade the GPU or SLI

TBH if the OP is planning on keeping the system for 5 years than why isn't X99 an option for the OP.

If budget is not really an issue i would say go X99

 

[Tolemac]

If you are just Gaming I would say go with an I5. you would only need an I7 if you are video rendering etc.

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Hey guys,

Thanks or you quick reply. I live in Australia and have looked at x99 and that it's alittle to much of a stretch for me, an extra 70 for the CPU alone. However I did not look to see if the motherboards are cheaper or the same price. I'm upgrading my case at the same time so I am spending some of my budget thete. the price of the 6600k is $349, the 6700k is $495and the 5820k is $565.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Tolemac]

If you tell us what your budget is i'm sure some of our fellow Australian forum users will be more than happy to help you mate .

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Hey,

So my budget is $1600, with that Im going to be getting a corsair 780t in white which is $250 also going to get some extra fans which is $35 and some nzxt LEDs which are $25. Other then that I'm open to suggestions, I'll need a CPU, CPU cooler (liquid) to me it just looks cleaner then having a huge metal block in the case. I'll also need a motherboard and RAM. I'm also looking to get a new mechanical keyboard of which I was looking at the ducky one with blue leds which is $149

Cheers

 

[Dicehunter]

Go with the i7, Digital Foundry have seen issues when running certain games on the i5, Not much but it is there, I'll try and find the video for you.

 

[Tolemac]

Hey,

So my budget is $1600, with that Im going to be getting a corsair 780t in white which is $250 also going to get some extra fans which is $35 and some nzxt LEDs which are $25. Other then that I'm open to suggestions, I'll need a CPU, CPU cooler (liquid) to me it just looks cleaner then having a huge metal block in the case. I'll also need a motherboard and RAM. I'm also looking to get a new mechanical keyboard of which I was looking at the ducky one with blue leds which is $149

Cheers

Seeing as you have a budget now which stands at $1190 "taking off the price of components listed above." If you went i7 that's $495 it leaves you $695 for a mobo, CPU cooler, RAM and HDD which is doable it all depends on which motherboard you choose

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Hey tolemac,

Sorry I should have said that I'm carrying over my ssd and HDDs from my previous build. So all I need is the mobo, ram and CPU cooler, for the motherboard I as going to go with the Asus z170-ar, and corsair LPX ram at 2666. I can get the i7 on my budget it's just should I get the i7 or get the i5? If I don't need to spend the money on the i7 then I won't, just for he sake of spending the money if that makes sense. :/

Go with the i7, Digital Foundry have seen issues when running certain games on the i5, Not much but it is there, I'll try and find the video for you.

If you could that would be awesome.

Cheers

 

[Tolemac]

I think this was the video Dicehunter was on about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhaB1dqYv_I&ab_channel=DigitalFoundry

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Is it just me or with the CPUs over clocked they perform the same in the video :/

 

[Dark NighT]

Is it just me or with the CPUs over clocked they perform the same in the video :/

No that's pretty accurate, they are basically the same cpu, one has hyperthreading and one does not, yeah the i7 usually runs 100mhz faster on stock, but that is not really a factor for games.

A lot of games do not utilize HT.

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Ok so what I'm trying to find out is if there isn't much point spending the money on the i7 for its hyper threading then I won't. However do we think in 2,3 or 4 years time games will start to use hyper threading, in which case is it worth getting the i7 :/

 

[Dark NighT]

Ok so what I'm trying to find out is if there isn't much point spending the money on the i7 for its hyper threading then I won't. However do we think in 2,3 or 4 years time games will start to use hyper threading, in which case is it worth getting the i7 :/

I would get the i7 for such a long term, heck id even go x99 instead, 6 cores for not much more money, maybe dx12 will really help out there, we dont know yet.

 

[Kushiro]

Didnt someone already recommend OP go with an i7?

Seriously though OP, if your planning on having your system last you 5 years, no point skimping on a mere hundred or two more dollars. Go with the X99, even go second hand if you absolutely have to. The small increase in price for x99 is well worth it especially when DX12 comes into play and you want your system to last.

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Hi kushhiro.

Yes but someone has also suggested the i5 all I'm trying to gauge is what one to buy, and no I'm not just going to take the first answer I get.

As previously mentioned I'm on a budget and x99 as I believe is to far out of the that. What is a "mere" hundred or two to you is not to me.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Hi kushhiro.

Yes but someone has also suggested the i5 all I'm trying to gauge is what one to buy, and no I'm not just going to take the first answer I get.

As previously mentioned I'm on a budget and x99 as I believe is to far out of the that. What is a "mere" hundred or two to you is not to me.

That is also why he suggested to go second hand for X99. It's a viable alternative and tbh will get you the most you can for your money. We only bring it up because 5 years is a long time and as DX12 gains more traction those extra cores and threads will help. Now if you don't want second hand then IMO the best move is to go for the i7 6700k. That's just my opinion though when you take into account how long you plan on not upgrading the CPU and it's the most powerful option available to you outside of X99

 

[II-RAPTOR-II]

Yeah that's fair enough, I'm not a fan of buying second hand computer parts tbh. However the i7 is looking like the better option as you say. I have had my current FX CPU for around 4 years and it's still going ok, my partner wants a computer so I thought to myself I'll upgrade mine and give her my old components as they will be fine for what she needs. So I figured if my FX has lasted that long, then either an i5 or an i7 will last around 5 years for what I need it for.

 

[Kushiro]

Just FYI OP my post states i7 not i5.

If you cant spend the extra right now, then as suggested before go with the i7 OR save for a little longer and get x99. Since your FX is going fine, just use that for now and share the system with your partner or something.

Eat home cooked meals, dont eat out etc etc if you dont already do so. Easy savings there. You can even claim back tax with it.