How is my computer/ Is it future proofed?

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Liamace123

Liamace123

Reputable
Dec 31, 2014
114
0
4,690
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.00GHz 50 °C
Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM
16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 799MHz (10-10-10-30)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. Z97-A (SOCKET 1150) 28 °C
Graphics
VX238 (1920x1080@60Hz)
8192MB ATI AMD Radeon R9 390 Series (MSI) 56 °C
Storage
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00BN5A0 (SATA) 29 °C
 
Solution
MarkW
The only way to future proof anything, is to freeze time. And somehow, I do not believe that you might have a time machine that can freeze time yet.

Now, on to the selections you made.

The I7-4790K is now 2 generations old. That is a Haswell CPU. Broadwell and Skylake CPU's have been released since that CPU was released. Broadwell only came out for the desktop in June, and Skylake is shipping, but hard to find at some places in the USA still. Intel says that problem should be resolved within 2 weeks.

So if you want the absolute latest, in an effort to try to be as futureproofed as you can be, you probably want to select an i7-6700K, which is the Skylake version of the i7-4790K. Be aware that it does not come with a CPU cooler, so you...
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MarkW

MarkW

Judicious
Dec 7, 2009
6,308
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The only way to future proof anything, is to freeze time. And somehow, I do not believe that you might have a time machine that can freeze time yet.

Now, on to the selections you made.

The I7-4790K is now 2 generations old. That is a Haswell CPU. Broadwell and Skylake CPU's have been released since that CPU was released. Broadwell only came out for the desktop in June, and Skylake is shipping, but hard to find at some places in the USA still. Intel says that problem should be resolved within 2 weeks.

So if you want the absolute latest, in an effort to try to be as futureproofed as you can be, you probably want to select an i7-6700K, which is the Skylake version of the i7-4790K. Be aware that it does not come with a CPU cooler, so you will need a new third party one, and the Z170 motherboard that it requires will most likely only be able to use DDR4 memory, not the older DDR3 memory. Some Z170 motherboards can use DDR3LP (low power) memory, but there is no benefit to using that if you do not already have DDR3LP memory, and almost nobody already has it.

I also notice that you made no mention at all of the most important item in your computer. The power supply. You need a high quality power supply in order for all of the other things inside of your case to function properly. I looked up that video card in a review Toms did on one, and in that case, it maxed out at 468.04 watts under a stress test. It was over 360 watts in games. So I am going to recommend at least a 650 watt power supply for you.

The power supplies listed below are top of the line power supplies. Two of these were actually cheaper than the 650 watt units, so I went ahead and selected these instead. All prices shown are from pcpartpicker.com, and may change at anytime, so click through to see what the current price(s) are.

EVGA 110-B2-0750-VR 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply $80.99

EVGA 220-G2-0750-XR 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply $104.99 - $20.00 mail in rebate + $5.99 shipping = $90.98

XFX P1-750S-NLB9 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply $78.99

 
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Solution
synphul

synphul

Champion
Mar 11, 2011
9,477
7
54,965
I don't see anything wrong with the existing build, it's really only a generation old. Broadwell was pointless and barely surfaced with the delay before skylake. Skylake is only a moderate improvement over devil's canyon.

Here's a comparison of the broadwell i7 5775c. In most every case it tied or fell behind the 4790k, its only winning points being efficiency in terms of die size, lower tdp but also severely downclocked - and the better integrated graphics which were surprisingly good for an igpu but no match for a 390/970/980ti.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/core_i7_5775c_processor_review_desktop_broadwell,10.html

The 6700k performs a little better, draws more power and costs more. Availability has been an issue unless people can wait. In some things like video editing it does a bit better, in gaming it's only around 3-5% better than haswell.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/08/05/intel_skylake_core_i76700k_ipc_overclocking_review/6#.Vfz01RFVhBc

Not to say that skylake isn't an improvement, but it's nothing earth shattering or mind blowing either. I doubt either will be more 'future' proof than the other with so little difference between the two. Certainly wouldn't hesitate on a 4790k and lose sleep over it.
 
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George Phillips

George Phillips

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Jun 17, 2015
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The list of components is very up to date, but if you want the absolute cutting edge technology, get 6700k and a Z170 motherboard. The benefits of Haswell generation processor and motherboard are that they are very mature and stable. All drivers for Haswell generation motherboards, chipsets, and storage sub systems are very stable. The BIOS' are also very stable.

On the other hand, there is always a small risk to get the very latest processor/mother that may still have some bugs that take about 1 year to work most problems out.

All said, I'd definitely go with 6700k/Z170 motherboard if I were to build an absolutely cutting edge desktop PC today. All I need to do is to update the BIOS and/or drivers more frequently in the first year. And I am not worried about stability or compatibility issues either since Intel almost always provides excellent drivers right away even for new products.
 
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