ITX Gaming PC - X99 or Z170?

[Random Guy Esq.]

Hello OcUKers!

I'm not looking for an actual spec right now (next month maybe), because final budget has yet to be decided. But I'd like to know the general consensus on which platform you think would suit this build best, given that;

• the computer will be used primarily for gaming (with the usual browsing and Netflixing thrown in too), 1440P now, maybe 4K later
• the CPU will have to last ~4 years (pretty much right through university)
• it will be an ITX build in as small a case as I can get away with, but I'd like to use an AIO cooler
• I'll be overclocking

My main thoughts so far are that the extra cores on the 5820K might give it a bit more longevity over say a 6700K, but would obviously give me no choice as regards which motherboard to use. I think it also slightly limits cooling options??

What other factors should I be looking at? Is there a big difference between the available features of both chipsets, for instance? How about thermals? I'll be in university for the next few years, so it's unlikely I'll be upgrading during that time, but if this was your build, would upgrade path come into your thinking?

Hell, is Devil's Canyon still an option?

That's all I can think of for the moment. Just looking to start a discussion really, and get a few ideas. Thanks in advance.

 

[dacads]

Will you be performing multi-threaded tasks such as modelling, rendering etc? If so then I'd definitely go with X99.

Even so there's not much difference in price between the 6700k and 5820k , so I think the latter is probably your best bet anyway.

It's a hot and hungry chip, so you'll definitely benefit from an AIO

I'd say devil's canyon 4790k is still an option, providing you don't mind going with the older tech (not performance wise anyway).

 

[Confused Stu]

I'm pretty sure there's only one ITX X99 board at the moment:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asro...2011-ddr4-mini-itx-motherboard-mb-142-ak.html

So if you do decide X99, you will be limiting your choice quite a bit more than if you go Z170. Not necessarily an issue, just something to bear in mind.

 

[dacads]

I'm pretty sure there's only one ITX X99 board at the moment:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asro...2011-ddr4-mini-itx-motherboard-mb-142-ak.html

So if you do decide X99, you will be limiting your choice quite a bit more than if you go Z170. Not necessarily an issue, just something to bear in mind.

Good point Stu, I had mATX in my mind for some reason. Maybe that's an option for OP?

 

[unp|dissy]

If mainly gaming, I'd go with a Skylake i5.
As dacads sed though, if modelling, rendering etc, then go X99.
I've got the Corsair 380T case, really nice case, and the handle will come in handy if you're gonna be moving it around a bit.
I have a skylake i5 with only a 780 for now until Pascal, and I use a low profile CPU cooler which keeps it surprisingly cool. The case is good as the side panels allow good air flow too.

 

[Random Guy Esq.]

Thanks guys. And yep, as I mentioned in my OP, I know there's only one X99 ITX board. Shame other manufacturers didn't try to follow suit. Too niche a sector of the market maybe?

Anyway, in terms of productivity, I wouldn't really need the extra cores (some light photo editing is about as productive as I get). I was wondering if games in 2-3 years time would benefit from them, but that's pretty much asking you to predict the future!

I do like the 380T as well, unp|dissy. It's a pity that a lot of SFF cases aren't exactly small!