CPU choice overload - some guidance appreciated

[dabozuk]

I want to get a new barebones PC (including case and PSU) except for drives and GFX card as I will use my own (SSDs and 7870LE).

My budget is around £400-500 and the purpose is primarily for gaming and I want this system to last several years so that I can put a brand new GFX card in next year or so and get most longevity.

But I'm confused between the opinions on i5, i7, Haswell, Broadwell and Skylake. My gut wants to go with Skylake because it's the newest, but the X99 + 5820K keeps coming up.

My days of having fun manually overclocking and tweaking are gone, I just want a fast system that will last years to come. That said, I'd happily take a pre-overclocked system.

So, any advice on which chipsets and CPUs to go with?

 

[theaterix]

Glad someone is in the same boat as me haha.
Ive been told, if your into overclocking, go for the 5820k, as thats how you match the 6700k, and if you do any sort of rendering, that is the way to go by a long shot.
If you just purely game and DONT overclock, go for the 6700k.
Thats the general concensus, but the leftover money from the 5820k combo can be used in other areas which will benefit you more, like a GPU upgrade.

 

[mickyflinn]

Another thing to consider is that the 6 cores and 12 threads that the 5820k may well be more future proof.

 

[dabozuk]

Another thing to consider is that the 6 cores and 12 threads that the 5820k may well be more future proof.

I've heard that viewpoint too, as games become more thread aware. However considering most gaming PCs now and in short term future are 4 core, would games developers really be targeting a small number of enthusiast systems? I doubt it. Over time I'm sure more games will take advantage of more cores, but equally it would be strange if only the 5th gen Intels did 6 core.

I assume Skylake supports future 6 and 8 core CPUs? In which case, purchasing the more expensive X99 5820k system (overclocked) seems a short term gain for a limited set of games, vs the cheaper and newer Skylake with option of swapping out, say, a cheaper 6600 for a 6-8 core CPU in future.

Swings and roundabouts. But at the moment I feel I'm sat on the fence watching everyone else have fun in the park!

 

[dabozuk]

Ive been told, if your into overclocking, go for the 5820k...
If you just purely game and DONT overclock, go for the 6700k.
Thats the general concensus, but the leftover money from the 5820k combo can be used in other areas which will benefit you more, like a GPU upgrade.

I need to price up some comparative systems of 5820K, 6600K and 6700K, by your point about over clocking the 5820 makes the calls harder as clearly to overclocked well you need more expensive cooling and mobo.

Seems like the 6600K is much more my price range. 6700K is an extra £150

 

[Telecaster]

I assume Skylake supports future 6 and 8 core CPUs? In which case, purchasing the more expensive X99 5820k system (overclocked) seems a short term gain for a limited set of games, vs the cheaper and newer Skylake with option of swapping out, say, a cheaper 6600 for a 6-8 core CPU in future.

No, intel enthusiast chips like the 6+ core stuff don't go in the regular 4 core motherboards, if you buy a Z170 board for a 4 core skylake CPU then that is all you'll ever be able to fit in it.

There may be a Skylake refresh later down the line like they did with Haswell/Devils Canyon but it's unlikely to be any sort of leap forward over a 6600/6700k and it will only be 4 cores.

 

[mickyflinn]

My budget is around £400-500 and the purpose is primarily for gaming and I want this system to last several years so that I can put a brand new GFX card in next year or so and get most longevity.

Look at the i5-2500K released in q1 2011 which is still going strong nearly 5 years later. The i7 is the way to go for longevity but which ? If i was gonna buy now it would be the 5820k for the reasons i mentioned above. There is no real right or wrong answer its just what you wanna pay im sure you will be happy with your choice.

 

[Poneros]

Guys, you've put the cart before the horse. Look at his budget. There is no option for overclocking - nor is it necessary, the i7 6700k is excessive and the OC gives you very little for the price. In truth, the i7 6700 is more than good enough and the differences between the two will be MINOR (google any review and you'll see; remember the 6700 boosts to 4ghz).

i7 6700 + 2x 8gb DDR4 3000 (you want faster as it makes a difference for games now) + z170 mobo + random atx case (e.g. nzxt 210 elite) + psu (evga 750w) = just a bit over 500. If you want to go smaller in size then that will cost you extra.

Imo unless you desperately want to min-max, i7 6700 is best-buy right now.

 

[Perfect_Chaos]

One thing that I've noticed is that the odd few will mention the 6700k having a bit better frame rates in games, the thing with that is these 2 points:

#1 Results of 5820k vs 6700k in games on various sites are mixed, the difference between them is either a little bit or non existent. Which results do you trust? Mixed bag.

#2 Some don't even buy the highest end GPU's so the highest fps possible was obviously not even a concern for the ones who got a 6700k in the first place.