Consider the i7 9700K or opt for the next generation with a new socket
Consider the i7 9700K or opt for the next generation with a new socket
I searched for comparable threads but didn’t find one. I apologize if this has been covered before. You’re considering a new gaming PC next month and wondering whether it’s wise to wait for the next Intel CPUs. I’ve seen similar conversations elsewhere, but my worry is that the socket changes with the new 10th generation chips. If you upgrade from your current 9700k, you’d likely need a new CPU and motherboard later, just like with your previous setup. A 9700k could work for a while, so it probably isn’t a huge issue. Still, I thought it would be helpful to get some advice before investing heavily in this build.
Upgrading path often seems too important, especially when you initially purchase a top model and are at the start of its life cycle. It rarely justifies the cost within a few years, and even then you might miss out on newer features that newer boards offer. The Ryzen 4000 will arrive mid-year next year, and the 4790k is decent; I’d hold off unless absolutely necessary. For Intel, the 10th generation is already past its prime—especially if you’re not aiming for it. The 9th gen was largely outdated when it launched. If you’re after the latest, wait until you see significant improvements before committing. I once had a locked Haswell i5 and skipped the 6th and 7th gen thinking there’d be little benefit. It wasn’t until I noticed the big jump in the 8700k that I upgraded within a month, and I’m happy with my choice after two years. I don’t mind if Intel changes sockets for the 10th gen—it’s probably just an old upgrade. I’ll hold off another three years and reassess; by then a new socket will be standard.
The classic debate, buy now or wait for the next big leap? No matter what, there will always be something new. From my perspective, the 10700K will bring HyperThreading, essentially reaching around the 9900K mark. Apart from that, it seems unlikely to have much more improvement. It probably won’t see PCIe 4.0 or USB4, and since this will likely be the final 14-million chip, future boards will introduce new tech. It’s improbable the board for a 10700K will support the next generation. Still, if you were me, I’d look for a good price on a 9700K (preferably an AMD).
Intel's capabilities are constrained by their current silicon manufacturing, so significant improvements are unlikely before the ninth generation. AMD aims for another advancement next year with a 7nm redesign and architectural changes, but Intel has reached its peak at this point. They’re restarting Haswell mainly to address supply issues rather than launching new models, and they haven’t expressed any intention of moving to 10nm desktops soon. Instead, they’ll continue using their existing 10nm technology for high-end laptops. Their upcoming desktop releases are expected to stick with 14nm architecture, similar to the 9700k design. If you stick with Intel, the 9700k remains a strong choice, particularly for gaming, offering excellent performance at low clock speeds and solid efficiency. While it may not surpass the 9900k in overall FPS across all scenarios, it excels in gaming precision and low-latency performance, especially at higher refresh rates. For those interested in streaming or multi-threaded tasks later, a 9900k could be considered, but for pure gaming at the moment, it stands out as one of the best options available. If cost matters, pairing it with a mid-range budget Z390 (like the Gigabyte GX2700) and decent RAM can still deliver a solid experience. For those not focused on gaming, an AMD R7 might be a better fit.
Supporting what @Plutosaurus mentioned, focus less on the upgrade route, particularly for Intel—you won’t really need to upgrade unless you replace the motherboard. The most practical improvements I see right now are switching from 2600/2700 to 3900/3950X or choosing systems already equipped with 16 cores ready for lower prices. For Ryzen 4000, if the 3950X drops around $200 in 2020, you could get both a 3600 and a 3950X for about $750, possibly saving money compared to buying a 3950X outright. If you're planning an Intel build, don’t stress too much—10nm tech is probably not ideal yet, and 7nm won’t arrive until 2021. If upgrades worry you, stick with an X570 Elite and a Ryzen 3600, and wait about two years before considering a change, hoping for better options then. Just build what fits your needs now and avoid chasing future specs.
Thanks for your kind words! Your background as both a mechanical engineer and a comic artist is really inspiring. You're aiming for a 1440p experience while staying within a $1500–$1650 budget for a new build. Based on your experience, a 9700k processor should handle SolidWorks and Photoshop smoothly, especially when paired with a high-end graphics card like the 2060 or 2070 series. Your current 4790k has served you well for years, so the advice about sustained performance makes perfect sense.