Which processor performs better—i5 7600K in water or i7 7700K in air?
Which processor performs better—i5 7600K in water or i7 7700K in air?
Considering both choices, which one suits you better depends on your needs. Both are overclocked models.
Your overclock capability depends on the luck of obtaining a suitable chip.
As of 6/19/17
Approximately what percentage of samples can achieve an overclock at a vcore around 1.4v?
For the I5-7600K there are 5.3 samples, with an unknown occurrence rate:
5.2% (16%), 5.1% (27%), 5.0% (52%), 4.9% (72%).
For the I7-7700K there are 4.9 samples, with a 83% rate and 5.0% (62%) at 5.0%, 5.1% (29%) at 4.9%, and 6% (5.2%) at 5.0%.
In general, performance per core remains consistent.
If your application requires more than 4 threads, the I7 offers better value.
Most games perform optimally with just 2-3 threads, which could explain why the 7600K is cheaper yet still viable.
Regardless, the key constraint is the required vcore.
The vcore that produces heat must be effectively removed.
With a well-ventilated case (two 120/140mm front intakes), I believe airflow will suffice as well.
You can choose whatever feels right for you.
AIO coolers are available, but their lifespan is uncertain—you never really know when your pump might fail. Even with the warranty, you’ll need to stay prepared.
Air coolers are also an option; there are many that closely match AIO performance. I’ve used a Corsair H100i GTX and it worked fine, so I’m not concerned about differences.
I no longer have to worry about premature failure.
The decision is yours.
Your ability to overclock depends largely on the luck of obtaining a suitable chip.
As of 6/19/17
Approximately what percentage of samples can achieve an overclock at a vcore around 1.4v?
For the I5-7600K there are 5.3 samples, with an unknown occurrence rate.
5.2 samples show a 16% chance, 5.1 shows 27%, 5.0 shows 52%, 4.9 shows 72%.
I7-7700K has 4.9 samples, with 83% at 5.0 and 29% at 5.1, and 6% at 5.2.
Generally, performance remains consistent across cores.
If your application requires more than four threads, the I7 offers better performance.
Most games perform optimally with just 2-3 threads, which could explain why the 7600K is more affordable.
Regardless, the key constraint is the required vcore.
It is the vcore that produces heat and must be effectively managed.
If your case has good airflow (two 120/140mm front intakes), air cooling will work well alongside any AIO.
Here’s the TDP suitability chart from noctua: both the 7600K and 7700K are 91w processors. Adding a few more for overclocking is recommended.
http://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide
An NH-U14s or NH-D15 will meet your needs.
In this setup, you’ll enjoy a quieter, simpler, cheaper, and more reliable cooler that won’t leak.
And... using front-mounted filtered intakes will also help maintain cleaner components.