Upgrade suggestion - X99 or skylake?

BeauNiddle · 14 Sep 2015 at 07:45

I feel it's time for a new machine but I'd like recommendations from more informed people first.

I've ordered pre-built machines from overclockers before and they work really well but I'm not sure which processor to go with.

They have a X99 range (5820 & 5930)

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=43&catid=2475&subid=3082

and they have some skylake ones. (most of the other full builds)

When Skylake was first released the reviews seemed to suggest it was a great processor for mobile / laptops but not amazing for full tower machines and I was hoping some kind soul here could give me their recommendation.

Thanks in advance

passey89 · 14 Sep 2015 at 08:01

Skylake if ur only gaming x99 if your rendering / other stuff like that.

Or just got x99 for 6 core epeen. Bith will perform withing a couple % of each ither in games.

Andy7 · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:00

I would go with an X99 set up if I was after a new system

uksoldierboy · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:09

If your thinking about going I7 Skylake, then don't bother, just go X99 instead.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-020-GI&groupid=2833&catid=2836

Kelt · 14 Sep 2015 at 20:54

X99 all the way.

Dave2150 · 14 Sep 2015 at 21:42

passey89 said:
Skylake if ur only gaming x99 if your rendering / other stuff like that.

Or just got x99 for 6 core epeen. Bith will perform withing a couple % of each ither in games.

This.

Games do not need a six/eight core CPU, unless you're running 4 way Crossfire/SLI and then you'd need the 40 lanes of PCI-E to run them properly.

Gazb · 14 Sep 2015 at 23:24

At the current prices, I'd say X99 is the winner.
Skylakes single threaded performance is good, but it's not good enough to warrant it currently being the same price or more expensive than the 6 core 5820K.

My only caveat to that would be if you're planning on building a small pc, like a itx or mATX then skylakes cooler temparatures and lower power draw could be important.

Mariusz · 15 Sep 2015 at 09:33

Gazb said:
At the current prices, I'd say X99 is the winner.
Skylakes single threaded performance is good, but it's not good enough to warrant it currently being the same price or more expensive than the 6 core 5820K.

My only caveat to that would be if you're planning on building a small pc, like a itx or mATX then skylakes cooler temparatures and lower power draw could be important.

Agreed 100%.

Recently changed to X99 and got no complaints, runs great. Overclockers have some nice bundle deals on boards and cpu's, snap one up and you'll be good for years.

passey89 · 15 Sep 2015 at 10:51

Mariusz said:
Agreed 100%.

Recently changed to X99 and got no complaints, runs great. Overclockers have some nice bundle deals on boards and cpu's, snap one up and you'll be good for years.

Yeh just dod the same lol. Dont need the 6 cores but helps.

4.5ghz on 1.3v stays under 70c gaming.

Simon Belmont · 15 Sep 2015 at 11:11

Everyone saying x99. For total enthusiast maybe,but If you're on i7 2600 or just pure gaming without benchy I would go Skylake. Anything above that I would wait until Skylake E or wait for kabylake?

Mariusz · 15 Sep 2015 at 11:31

The reason why people are saying X99 over skylake is cost, X99 is surprisingly better value for money as i7 5820K is cheaper than an i7 6770k and boards and RAM are down to how feature rich a board you want and how much and how fast you want your RAM. Buy X99 you get a 6 core 12 thread chip that powers through everything

kayomani · 15 Sep 2015 at 11:32

Skylake if you want any sort of upgradability

Dave2150 · 15 Sep 2015 at 12:20

Mariusz said:
The reason why people are saying X99 over skylake is cost, X99 is surprisingly better value for money as i7 5820K is cheaper than an i7 6770k and boards and RAM are down to how feature rich a board you want and how much and how fast you want your RAM. Buy X99 you get a 6 core 12 thread chip that powers through everything

The 5820k is £20 cheaper than the 6700k on OCUK, though remember that you need a more expensive motherboard, and more expensive RAM, since you need 4 DIMMS for X99 to utilize it's quad channel memory interface.

Also remember that the 5820k overclocked to 4.4Ghz+ is a monster in terms of heat output and power consumption. Not everyone wants that for their gaming rig, when it provides no current benefit over quad cores for games, unless you are running quad Crossfire/SLI.

Boomstick777 · 15 Sep 2015 at 12:24

If your thinking about spending 6700K money, it is much better spent on X99 + 5820K. You are getting more for your money.

If you just want a cheapish gaming PC than Skylake i5 + decent priced 1151 mobo is the new sweet spot. Looking at spending anymore than i5 and going to X99 is best option.

Mariusz · 15 Sep 2015 at 12:32

Dave2150 said:
The 5820k is £20 cheaper than the 6700k on OCUK, though remember that you need a more expensive motherboard, and more expensive RAM, since you need 4 DIMMS for X99 to utilize it's quad channel memory interface.

Also remember that the 5820k overclocked to 4.4Ghz+ is a monster in terms of heat output and power consumption. Not everyone wants that for their gaming rig, when it provides no current benefit over quad cores for games, unless you are running quad Crossfire/SLI.

OCUK had a bundle deal on of an i7 5820K and mobo for £400 (believe its now £440) then you just need ram http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-178-CR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=2552 £75 sorted.

I've only got a Corsair 110 AIO water cooler on mine at the minute and temps are fine and I didn't have to delid it to get decent temps

Mariusz · 15 Sep 2015 at 12:35

Boomstick777 said:
If your thinking about spending 6700K money, it is much better spent on X99 + 5820K. You are getting more for your money.

If you just want a cheapish gaming PC than Skylake i5 + decent priced 1151 mobo is the new sweet spot. Looking at spending anymore than i5 and going to X99 is best option.

Exactly, if you buy X99 you get a 6 core 12 thread beast. Not a 4 core 8 thread chip that costs more money :eek:

passey89 · 15 Sep 2015 at 12:41

Mariusz said:
OCUK had a bundle deal on of an i7 5820K and mobo for £400 (believe its now £440) then you just need ram http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-178-CR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=2552 £75 sorted.

I've only got a Corsair 110 AIO water cooler on mine at the minute and temps are fine and I didn't have to delid it to get decent temps

Yeh i got it at that price
Gigabyte x99 sli and 5820k £400 cant argue at that price considering the cpu is £300 alone.

Im only running 2 x ddr4 8gb sticks atm 2400mhz and its perfectly fine and better than my 4790k.

uksoldierboy · 15 Sep 2015 at 13:05

Lol, people recommending Skylake!

It's quite simple to be honest, if your using an older system, and can't get an I7 in budget, then yes, an I5 Skylake is the route to take, BUT, if your looking at a skylake I7 build, don't bother, for the sale price if not cheaper you can get X99 and a 5820K.

The Bundle deals Ocuk are doing at the moment on X99 means you'd be a fool not to go for it.

Simon Belmont · 15 Sep 2015 at 15:18

I wouldn't recommend x99 either tbh. Everyone should just wait. If you don't need to upgrade don't. 1151 or x99 are not worth it.

uksoldierboy · 15 Sep 2015 at 15:24

Simon Belmont said:
I wouldn't recommend x99 either tbh. Everyone should just wait. If you don't need to upgrade don't. 1151 or x99 are not worth it.

Lol

Why aren't they worth it? wait for what? the new line with the same amount of cores and 5/10% Ipc increase?

Come off it, X99 represents a fantastic system at current prices, you get the top platform, there's nothing coming out anytime soon that will better it.