3.9GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Turbo question

[MylesS]

I'm just finalising specs for a new system, and have chosen the Intel Core i5-6600K 3.9GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 for the processor. However I've just spotted that this is actually described as 3.5 GHz (Turbo Mode 3.90 GHz)

I'm not sure what Turbo Mode actually means. Is that a fancy way of saying the chip can be overclocked to 3.90 GHz or is it something else?

I don't really want to overclock anything, so I'm now considering the Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor.

It's quite a bit more money, and going from 3.9 GHz to 4 GHz it wouldn't be worth it to me. But if I'm actually getting 3.5 GHz from the i5-6600K, then I think I'll make the jump.

Can anyone throw any light on how the speed of the i5-6600K performs?

 

[Gze]

It means that when there is sufficient cooling and power available, some of the CPU cores will be clocked up to 3.9 automatically. This is different to overclocking.

 

[RJC]

Max Turbo speed is one core only, and the speed will drop down depending on how many cores are being used.

If your not overclocking go with a non K variant (having a K CPU and not overclocking is ban worthy )

 

[MylesS]

Lol. Ok, thanks for the explanation.

So something like this maybe? Intel Core i3-6320 3.90GHz (Skylake) Socket LGA1151 Processor

It has 4MB L3 Cache instead of 6MB L3 Cache that the i5-6600K 3.9GHz has. But that's the only difference I can see in specs, except that the i3-6320 3.90GHz is also rated at a higher speed! So it's much cheaper, but faster? Am I missing something? It's a bit confusing.

 

[RJC]

The i3 cpu is only dual core with 2 hyperthreading cores (2 cores 4 thread) where the i5 is quad core (4 cores 0 threads).

 

[Vish Petrol]

If you're going to be gaming then the i3 won't cut the mustard, however if its for general use, then save your money and go for the i3. What else is going to be in your system?

 

[MylesS]

The i3 cpu is only dual core with 2 hyperthreading cores (2 cores 4 thread) where the i5 is quad core (4 cores 0 threads).

I missed that! Time for my visit to spec savers!

If you're going to be gaming then the i3 won't cut the mustard, however if its for general use, then save your money and go for the i3. What else is going to be in your system?

Not so much gaming, but I will be wanting to use the machine for video editing. So I think the fastest processor I can afford will be better for me. Here's my specs so far, although I am still to choose the graphics card.

be quiet!
Silent Base 600 Midi Tower Case - Silver

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z170-Gaming K3 Intel Z170 DDR4 ATX

Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.9GHz ???

Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C 15 3000MHz Dual Channel (CMK 16GX4M2B30

Raijintek Aidos Direct Contact CPU Cooler

Samsung 120GB 850 EVO SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 32 Layer 3D V-NAND Solid State Drive (MZ-75E120B/EU

Hard Drive: Seagate 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache HDD - OEM (ST1000DM003)

Optical Drive: OcUK 24 x DVD+RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM

Graphics card: ????

PSU: be quiet! Pure Power L8 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Suppy - With 120mm Silent Wing Fan Built in.

 

[Vish Petrol]

The i5 would be a big step up in regards to video editing, i'd say go for that

 

[MylesS]

The i5 would be a big step up in regards to video editing, i'd say go for that

Ok, thanks for the advice.

 

[Diagro]

I would ay go for the i5 6400.
a z170 board will allow you to overclock it to 3.9ghz easy