The great CPU debate...

[kindai]

4770k Haswell

vs

4930K IvyBridge

vs

4820K IvyBridge


So this is going in a fully WC (dual loop) build.

In terms of usage, its going to be used for high end gaming, MMO-Multiboxing, and when doing nothing, mining coins.

So the first arguement comes down to 4770k vs 4930k. The extra cores and ability to handle 64gb ram on the 4930k will be great for multiboxing. I can use ramdisks to load the copies of games entirely into memory for that wonderful access speeds. The downsides, the extra cost (obviously but not too worried) but mainly the overclocking. I'd realy like to get something like 4.7, maybe 4.8ghz out of the CPU, but ive seen some people struggle to even get 4.4 stable, while others can get 5ghz easily.

My biggest concern would be if I picked up a 400+quid cpu, to be one of those lumped with a poor overclocker.


Now on the 4770k side, it appears to be a much more easily clocked CPU, so will be able to get those higher clocks, almost without conern it seems. The downsides is the limited ram support, id only be able to load 1 copy of an MMO in a ramdisk, and fewer cores.


However, if we are then running a 4core system, why not look at the 4820k? Again these seem like more easily overclocked chips, so, why not throw that in the mix?


On a less, important note (well kinda is) comes down to the mobo looks. This build is going into a CaseLabs STH-10 so, a small board will get dwarfed in a case that size, not to mention looks, the RIVE-BE imho, looks stunning, and most haswell boards look a little... "meh" to me?

Oh what to do, what to do....

 

[8 Pack]

What are your GPU's of choice???

 

[Rroff]

For gaming for most people the 4770K is the winner over the 4820K - upto 10% faster base performance in many games clock for clock. The 4820K potentially has better overclocking headroom (though lapping a 4770K can offset that a bit) but thats a bit hit and miss so probably not really worth considering as a purchasing factor.

Most of the games that could take advantage of the 4930K for multi-boxing aren't really the type of games that you'd be multi-boxing and stuff like eve online unless your running like a 6+ instances will be perfectly happy on a 4770K.

Personally I went - after a lot of arguing with myself - for the 4820K as I will likely end up with high end SLI at some point (keep telling myself not to but still end up going SLI) and for some more complicated reasons regarding software development and possible need for more than 4 core / 8 thread down the line.

 

[Panos]

4770k Haswell

vs

4930K IvyBridge

vs

4820K IvyBridge


So this is going in a fully WC (dual loop) build.

In terms of usage, its going to be used for high end gaming, MMO-Multiboxing, and when doing nothing, mining coins.

So the first arguement comes down to 4770k vs 4930k. The extra cores and ability to handle 64gb ram on the 4930k will be great for multiboxing. I can use ramdisks to load the copies of games entirely into memory for that wonderful access speeds. The downsides, the extra cost (obviously but not too worried) but mainly the overclocking. I'd realy like to get something like 4.7, maybe 4.8ghz out of the CPU, but ive seen some people struggle to even get 4.4 stable, while others can get 5ghz easily.

My biggest concern would be if I picked up a 400+quid cpu, to be one of those lumped with a poor overclocker.


Now on the 4770k side, it appears to be a much more easily clocked CPU, so will be able to get those higher clocks, almost without conern it seems. The downsides is the limited ram support, id only be able to load 1 copy of an MMO in a ramdisk, and fewer cores.


However, if we are then running a 4core system, why not look at the 4820k? Again these seem like more easily overclocked chips, so, why not throw that in the mix?


On a less, important note (well kinda is) comes down to the mobo looks. This build is going into a CaseLabs STH-10 so, a small board will get dwarfed in a case that size, not to mention looks, the RIVE-BE imho, looks stunning, and most haswell boards look a little... "meh" to me?

Oh what to do, what to do....

I was dithering between 4770K and 4820K for sometime.

Facts

a) 4770K is better than the 4820K clock for clock. Actually the 4820K has to be at 4800 (dead easy to achieve) to pass a 4770K at 4400.

b) Most 4770K are not good overclockers.

c)While both sockets are dead, the X79 is better platform.
You have path to upgrade (4930K), Quad Channel memory if you wish so, and more lanes for PCI-e, giving a slight boost on multi GPU setup. (especially if you plan to get AMD R9 290 series).

d) They cost the same. The MSI X79 Plus is as good as any £150 Z87 board. Of course if you plan to get one of those £80 or less Z87s, yes that's cheaper.

e) 4770K runs hot. 90C is normal for that chip. Until you pop the lid and replace the thermal paste cement Intel is using! That will allow you to get to better overclocking, however popping the lid, will void you the warranty, might have issues resale the cpu and of course damaging the CPU if not carefull.

On the other hand the 4820K @ 4800 runs at 63-68C in IBT at full load, with a H100 running good quality (and quiet) fans. Normal temps are around 16-20C while overclocked and mid 20s while playing games.

f) Regarding the 4930K, if a game doesn't use all cores-threads then is no better than a £400 4820K.
So probably is better to spend the money and get top of the range GPU. And yes, doesn't clock that well compared to the 4820K.


Personally, I am happy with the 4820K. Got it because I am not brave enough to de-lid the 4770K. Even if it is an easy process. It runs fine, much better than the FX8350 and is cool. I believe I can squeeze it to 5Ghz if I get better understanding of the X79 platform. Because it is more complex to overclock than anything I have encountered since 1993. (and more complex than the Z87 it seems)

 

[Rroff]

Personally, I am happy with the 4820K. Got it because I am not brave enough to de-lid the 4770K. Even if it is an easy process. It runs fine, much better than the FX8350 and is cool. I believe I can squeeze it to 5Ghz if I get better understanding of the X79 platform. Because it is more complex to overclock than anything I have encountered since 1993. (and more complex than the Z87 it seems)

Yeah I need to get my head around it see what this CPU can do :S I've not done any serious OCing since LGA775 days.

 

[kindai]

What are your GPU's of choice???

2x 290x

For gaming for most people the 4770K is the winner over the 4820K - upto 10% faster base performance in many games clock for clock. The 4820K potentially has better overclocking headroom (though lapping a 4770K can offset that a bit) but thats a bit hit and miss so probably not really worth considering as a purchasing factor.

Most of the games that could take advantage of the 4930K for multi-boxing aren't really the type of games that you'd be multi-boxing and stuff like eve online unless your running like a 6+ instances will be perfectly happy on a 4770K.

Personally I went - after a lot of arguing with myself - for the 4820K as I will likely end up with high end SLI at some point (keep telling myself not to but still end up going SLI) and for some more complicated reasons regarding software development and possible need for more than 4 core / 8 thread down the line.

Yea at most i'll be quad boxing, so i can assign 1 instance to 1 core, however having that extra power available is nice.

I was dithering between 4770K and 4820K for sometime.

Facts

a) 4770K is better than the 4820K clock for clock. Actually the 4820K has to be at 4800 (dead easy to achieve) to pass a 4770K at 4400.

b) Most 4770K are not good overclockers.

a) Agreed

b) 8pack seems to suggest otherwise?

 

[Rroff]

b) 8pack seems to suggest otherwise?

Probably because he chops the top off and stick it under LN2 j/k

From what I've seen the 4770Ks seem fairly easy to get upto ~4.4 but really struggle past there in most cases unless you delid them but if you do that then they do clock a bit more. Which is why I would generally say they aren't good clockers as to get more than a roughly 10% OC out of them you have to go to extreme measures - even if they then do clock quite nicely if you've got the skill and stomach for it.

That said in most cases once you get em to about 4.4GHz you'll rarely need more performance for gaming for the immediate future unless running high end multi GPU or something like that.

 

[8 Pack]

I never chop the top off an LN2 CPU. Clocks get worse. Good silicon is good silicon.

OC Bundle is the best way to get great Haswell 4.6+ most are doing 4.8