Is the upgrade from 6600K to 7700K worthwhile?
Is the upgrade from 6600K to 7700K worthwhile?
Hi.
I'm considering upgrading my 6600k to 7700k and want to know if it will really help.
I mostly play games and do some video editing.
My setup looks like this:
i5 6600K (OC to 4.8GHz)
MB asus z170 pro gaming itx
16GB RAM (XMP profile 3,000MHz)
Cooler Phanteks ph-tc14pe (3 fans)
GTX1060 EVGA SSC
I have a link to a screenshot of my Cinebench score.
Let me know your thoughts.
Karadjgne :
At that level of OC, the i5 and i7 are basically the same cpu, without the hyperthreading. In that area, no, it's not worth the upgrade. However, if there's a need for 8 threads because 4 just isn't cutting it with heavy thread games like BF1 or gta:V or Witcher 3, then yes it is worth it.
So you gotta ask yourself, is there a need for the extra 20+ fps, or a need due to streaming or rendering or any other high thread usage app, because on a purely performance basis, that 6600k is more than enough for a 1060 on a 60Hz monitor.
Thank you for your reply. I agree with you because there is quite a difference between 3.9GHz and 4.8GHz
Karadjgne :
At that level of OC, the i5 and i7 are basically the same cpu, without the hyperthreading. In that area, no, it's not worth the upgrade. However, if there's a need for 8 threads because 4 just isn't cutting it with heavy thread games like BF1 or gta:V or Witcher 3, then yes it is worth it.
So you gotta ask yourself, is there a need for the extra 20+ fps, or a need due to streaming or rendering or any other high thread usage app, because on a purely performance basis, that 6600k is more than enough for a 1060 on a 60Hz monitor.
Thank you for your reply. I agree with you because there is quite a difference between 3.9GHz and 4.8GHz
Isokolon :
The CPU power isn't linked to resolution. Switching from 1080p to 1440p shifts all extra processing to the GPU, not the CPU. In such scenarios, opting for a 1070Ti or 1080 would be more advantageous.
This. Spare your money and invest in a superior GPU.
Based on these sources, the performance gap is minimal when the AMD 7700K runs at its default speed with a 4.9GHz processor. The second option highlights a slight edge from Hyperthreading over 4 cores versus 4 cores, which can be noticeable in many games due to better use of Lcache, threads, and clock speeds. However, in single-threaded applications like Skyrim or CS:GO, improvements are negligible.
Karadjgne shared insights from various sources regarding performance comparisons. The analysis suggests minimal variation between a stock 7700k at 4.9GHz and an upgraded model. The second option highlights Hyperthreading's benefits, especially in games that leverage extra Lcache, threads, and clock speeds. However, noticeable gains are limited to single-threaded applications such as Skyrim or CS:GO. Hyperthreading only matters when a game takes full advantage of it. In 2017, most games didn't utilize it effectively—over 90% of titles. Those that did showed slight improvements, but an i5 6600k should easily sustain 60fps on modern games. If the user caps FPS with VSync on a 60Hz display, the difference won't be apparent. If FPS drops, the issue likely lies with the GPU, not the CPU, and upgrading the graphics card would resolve it. This conclusion is based on personal experience with a 6600k at 4.5GHz paired with a 1080TI and 16GB DDR4 RAM.
I own an i5-3570k and an i7-3770K, both running at 4.3GHz. Half my games feel indistinguishable, while the other half—like Skyrim with over 130 mods and enb—show major differences. The i5 had to be limited to 70 mods and the enb was removed. My Skyrim averages around 6 threads, so the i7 handles it fine but would struggle with the i5. There aren’t many multi-threaded games, but all are AAA titles, and this trend is expected to increase. Adding mods to GTA5 will really hurt the i5, just like it does for Far Cry. If OP wants to keep 100fps in new titles, they’ll need the bigger Lcache and more threads from the i7, or accept around 60fps on average.