Need guidance on selecting a CPU? Consider your needs and budget to find the best option.
Need guidance on selecting a CPU? Consider your needs and budget to find the best option.
I'm setting up a gaming PC just for fun. It's based on an LGA 1150 Z87 ASUS Sabertooth motherboard. I have 1600MHz 4x8 gigabytes for a total of 32GB, plus a 4GB RX 480 GPU on a 2008 Sanyo 720p TV. At first I considered an i5 4690K, but the seller pulled out and gave me a refund. The board already has an i7 4770 inside. Now I'm thinking about getting an overclockable CPU so I can really enjoy the experience. I'm torn between the i7 4770K and the i7 4790K. Both have similar base and boost speeds, but I'm not sure which does better thermally when pushed. Also, I'm looking for reputations about overclocking performance. Would anyone have some advice or opinions on which one to choose? Assuming the price isn't a problem, this build is mostly about fun. The new motherboard is free, so the only cost will be the CPU.
It's a good idea to grab an affordable x58 from Ali Express. The 4770k and 4790k struggled with overclocking because of weak timing. Once they settled, they performed well. At this stage, it's important to maintain a cool temperature since their thermal management is quite bad. O.C.'s performance has improved, typically reaching around 4.4 on a well-cooled board.
Essentially, you'll likely see only a 10% improvement unless you're willing to replace the chip and have a decent cooler. The gap between the die and IHS has likely degraded over time, with some users reporting a significant drop in performance. There are occasional forum discussions about 4th generation CPUs overheating or losing cooling capability after years of use. You might want to look for a pre-delidded chip.
If you're looking for a way to enjoy gaming on Z87 or Z97, you'd likely want the 5775c: Intel CM8065802483301 SR2AG Core i7-5775C Chip. This Broadwell model is quite impressive, though it only reaches around 4.3GHz after overclocking, which still feels like a solid 4.6GHz or higher thanks to better performance per clock. If you're interested in pushing it further with a 4770k or 4790k, you'll need to invest in a delidding tool. These tools can help, but they come with risks—especially if you're not experienced or follow instructions carefully. Delidding options exist, but they might not be worth it for older chips. If you're willing to put in the effort, following tutorials and using a delidding tool can be manageable. Even then, a delidded version will probably cap around 4.5-4.8GHz at most. You won't gain massive speed improvements over your original 4770k, but you'll still have a rewarding experience if it works. For most people, the 5775c is the better choice due to its rarity, higher IPC, and manageable overclocking potential.
They're making a gaming PC just to have fun. They find pleasure in it. And spending $40 is probably more than enough for a decent meal. If getting this working and doing whatever they want gives them more satisfaction, they'd be crazy not to do it. OP doesn't need any reason for their enjoyment.
They don't agree, but it exceeds $40, reflecting the worth of all other components. Resources maintain worth, which you mention in your counter but overlook in your assessment. It wasn't a major concern—it was more about speculation than influencing the outcome. I find it confusing, and if we can't maintain balanced conversation on either side...
Last year for Christmas I created something special for a friend who couldn’t afford a PC. I used an LGA 1150 socket and mostly repurposed parts I already had, like two used Z87 motherboards from eBay—just in case. The only costs were about $20 for the case and $40 for a new PSU. Everything else came either for free or was leftovers from my own build, so I didn’t spend much. Of course, I could still play on my 3900X, but having those parts around makes it worth using them instead of letting them gather dust.