Quad core or 6 core?

[cHk4]

Looking at building a PC which is going to have to last me a fair while. The system will be water cooled ( CPU anyway )

I'm looking at http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-403-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat= if I decide to go with quad core.

If I decide to go with 6 core I'm looking at gettings
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-389-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat= or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-392-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=

I'm going to be doing a lot of livestreaming and I want to be able to do this at the maximum possible resolution that my 100mb line will let me do. I'm also looking at overclocking too but not sure which route to go.

Help please

Thanks

 

[Nuclear Fusion]

It depends, if you really need the multi tasking power, then go with the 3930k (don't even consider the 980 at that price, when the 3930k is basically the same price- and is better). I don't think you will be held back by a 3770k, so I would go for that. For the amount extra that the 3930k costs, it is only worth it if you are doing loads of multi core rendering etc. and need the extra PCI-e bandwidth that X79 provides (so good for running 3/4 graphics cards). If you are just going to be gaming and livestreaming, I think the 3770k will serve you just as well, for a lot less.

 

[Purgatory]

Get the Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz (Sandybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - Retail
it is a much better CPU than the i7 980 mate if you decide you want 6 cores.

Everyone will tell you the same here, just get a X79 motherboard with as many ram slots as you need 4 or 8, I would personally get 8 ram slots on my board but thats just me I can make a system eat all the memory if given half a chance.


I would take a good look at the quad cores too, but if you are using an application that can use all 6 cores and the virtual cores so 12 threads in total that would be great to get a 6 core CPU, if you find the application you want to use only can use 2 or 4 cores/8 threads you won't see the benefits of a 6 core/12 thread system. Depends on the applications and how much ram you need really. If you need more than 32GB of RAM your only choice will be a X79 2011 platform. You can buy quad core CPUs for the X79 platform too.

 

[Durzel]

Do you mean 100Mb line as in a leased line, or 100Mb Virgin Media? Quite a big difference, I don't think 100Mb VM will sustain a particularly high bitrate stream.

Quad core would probably do the job, but hexacore would guarantee it. If you can afford it there's no real reason not to go for 3930k.

 

[cHk4]

Cool thanks all for the replies, much appreciated.

@Durzel in regards to the 100mb line I do mean virgin so my max upload is about 11mb so I should be able to stream at a good high res quality so long as my CPU is up to the job.

 

[Orcvader]

Your current CPU is up to the job now though... Honestly it would be more of a bandwidth bottleneck, but the 11mb upload should be fine.

 

[inf]

I stream currently at 720p which sits around 3mb Upload. That is around 50fps quality is very good.

I have no problem streaming at 1080p as well but i tend to find with twitch.tv and viewers only being able to select one bandwith option, you will really want to stay at 720p for the moment. If you have lots of regular viewers then twitch i believe make it possible for the viewer to select 480p 720p 1080p depending on the max res you use.

Using Aquiss Fibre business and had no problems so far, my max upload is around about 18mb

I use a I7 930 and i do have some noticeable slow down in fps games if i stream 1080p and watch the stream on the same machine via firefox.

Hope that gives you some idea.
Regards
R

 

[cHk4]

Your current CPU is up to the job now though... Honestly it would be more of a bandwidth bottleneck, but the 11mb upload should be fine.

My sig is technically a lie as it's back at stock now as I've had issues with temperatures as my room gets really hot

I stream currently at 720p which sits around 3mb Upload. That is around 50fps quality is very good.

I have no problem streaming at 1080p as well but i tend to find with twitch.tv and viewers only being able to select one bandwith option, you will really want to stay at 720p for the moment. If you have lots of regular viewers then twitch i believe make it possible for the viewer to select 480p 720p 1080p depending on the max res you use.

Using Aquiss Fibre business and had no problems so far, my max upload is around about 18mb

I use a I7 930 and i do have some noticeable slow down in fps games if i stream 1080p and watch the stream on the same machine via firefox.

Hope that gives you some idea.
Regards
R

Cool thanks a lot for that info mate. I believe my stream is on twitch so I guess it would be a case of trial and error, I doubt I'll get many viewers tbh but something I want to do

 

[inf]

My 930 is stock. It appears to handle RTS/MMO games well. These tend to be the most watched, FPS game streams seem to have a smaller following at the moment. (Dota 2 at dreamhack topped 50k viewers on just one of the casters stream the game had 5 other casters casting the same match in different languages)

I would recommend trying xsplit which i use to stream, very useful and easy to use software. You have to pay a subscription but they have an offer on at the moment i think its about $79.99 for 3 years.

Use a webcam if you want more regular viewers, I tend to get asked to play with the viewers which i do and this has got me more followers. I am still pretty new to it all as well though!
Regards
R

 

[mmj_uk]

Why do people still consider the i7 980 when it's the same price as 3930K? is the 3930K not better in every single way?

edit: ah because you already have an LGA1366 motherboard I guess? apologies.

 

[smilertoo]

if youre mainly playing games then get 4core, if youre doing video encoding or 3d rendering then get 6cores.
im using an i920 thats clocked at 3.6ghz for summer, 4ghz in winter. (noctua coolers ftw)

 

[BodgeITandRun]

The simplest one will be go for the 980 as it won't mean a mobo swap too. But if that doesn't phase you, then I would say go for the 3930 for more futureproofing and more power than most would need.

I have thought a few times about selling my 990x and changing to a newer board, but it seems to perform fine so haven't bothered yet. I will be the first to admit it's dreadful value for money though.

 

[IvanDobskey]

6 core CPU's are only worth it if you can properly make use of them. No gaming PC needs more than a quad currently.