Top Z170 boards for CPU overclocking and related queries
Top Z170 boards for CPU overclocking and related queries
I’m preparing to install the i7-6700k and the ASUS Maximus Viii Hero. I have a few concerns beforehand.
What’s the ideal overclocking motherboard for Skylake?
Should I wait on the i7-6700k until its price drops, since it looks quite expensive compared to alternatives like the i5-6600k?
Are there other factors I should consider before switching from the Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P Rev 1 and the i5-6400?
The Intel i7-5820k is roughly 50 CAD more than the 6700K, but according to some discussions, the performance gap for ACAD isn’t huge. For gaming, it might not be as noticeable as shown in a recent Linux Tech Tips video comparing X99 and Z170. Should I switch to X99 just for the CPU change? I don’t need more PCIe lanes or extra RAM, so keep that in mind—it’s not the chipset that would drive this decision.
Anything I’m planning to buy should be budget-friendly, around CAD. If you could focus on recommendations that fit a CAD budget, it would be much appreciated!
Jason
For gaming the 6700k offers similar performance to what you can expect unless you opt for Skylake E, which are still enthusiast CPUs and many threads won't benefit in games. Comparing most of their i7 models, they're priced almost identically. The Devil's Canyon i7 is quite comparable in cost. Intel tends to be costly, which is essentially the main consideration. The Maximus boards work well with Skylake—Asus has always impressed me, and the Maximus lineup has received consistently positive feedback.
For gaming the 6700k offers similar performance to what you can expect unless you opt for Skylake E, which are still enthusiast CPUs and many threads won’t perform well in games. Comparing most of their i7 models, they’re priced almost identically. The Devil's Canyon i7 is quite comparable in cost. Intel tends to be costly, which is essentially the main consideration. The Maximus boards work well with Skylake—Asus has always been reliable, especially across the Maximus lineup.
The 5820k is handy for the 28 PCIe lanes if you plan a 3-way SLI/Xfire setup, but it’s not necessary right now. It doesn’t add much value. In short, stick with your current choice unless you’re aiming for a lower-priced Maximus board, which won’t make a noticeable difference.
Genthug summarized the situation, noting that the 6700k offers limited performance gains unless you opt for Skylake E, which is still a high-end CPU and many threads won't benefit much in games. He compared most of the other i7s to the same price range, mentioning the Devil's Canyon i7 as a strong match. Intel boards are costly, while Maximus boards are solid for Skylake; Asus has been praised throughout the Maximus lineup. The 5820k is useful for its PCIe lanes if you're considering SLI/Xfire, but it doesn't add much value here. He recommends sticking with your current options and suggests lower-priced Maximus boards could work just as well without noticeable differences. Thanks for clarifying, looks like a good plan!
Genthug shared his thoughts on the 6700k, saying it's decent but not the best unless you're willing to wait for Skylake E. He noted that most of the other i7s in that price range are similarly priced. He compared the Devil's Canyon i7 favorably and mentioned that Intel tends to be expensive overall. The Maximus boards perform well with Skylake, and he praised Asus for their quality. He also suggested the 5820k could be handy for 3-way SLI/Xfire, but it wouldn't make much difference if you don't need it. He recommended sticking with what you have or consider a lower-priced Maximus board, as they would offer similar results. He added that he ordered both boards on sale and they're both en route, thanks for the update.
genthug :
Even better
😀
With the shipping times from direct canada the chances that i will have it by tomorrow are extremely high! I got my corsair 780t from their Vancouver warehouse the next day which was awesome!