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?

 

[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