Which way should I go on a build for gaming with a small budget? i7 4790k or i7 6700k

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crazycorey44

Commendable
Nov 11, 2016
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I am needing to gain FPS for gaming and can't decide which way to go. I have an i5-4460 3.2 - 3.4GHz 4 core 4 threads processor, ASRock H81M-HDS Turbo-boost 2.0 technology mobo with 16GB of DDR3 1600 RAM, 1000W PSU, and XFX Radeon R9 290X 8GB graphics card now. I can buy a Haswell i7-4790k Devil's Canyon 4.0 - 4.4GHz 4 core 8 threads processor for $340 and put that on the mobo i have now, but I am not sure how much boost in performance I will gain or if my mobo will bottleneck that processor or not? It would save me alot of $ going that way if it will perform like I want it too instead of going this route: buying a Skylake i7-6700k 4.0 - 4.2GHz 4 core 8 threads processor, ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO LGA 1151 Intel Z170 mobo, and the DDR4 16GB memory to go with it for a total of $710. Which way would work the best for me keeping in mind the total $ values and the better FPS's?
 
Solution
Luminary
Yes the motherboard will technically support the CPU (as in the rig will run), but it would be a horrible waste of money to buy an unlocked 'k' processor like the 4790k when the motherboard cannot support the overclocking capabilities you are paying for with the 'k' chip.

What GPU + CPU you need solely reliant upon what games you play, your screen resolution, and what settings you are hoping to play those games on. If you are experiencing a slowdown in specific games the best thing to do is look at the performance diagnostics of your CPU/ GPU/ Memory and see where the bottleneck is occuring. That way you know what piece of hardware is actually holding up your games and what you need to replace next.
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Luminary

Luminary

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Nov 29, 2015
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You would need a better motherboard to currently support the i7-4790k, so you're looking at at least a motherboard + CPU upgrade no matter which you choose.

Since you will be needing a motherboard no matter what, I would personally suggest saving up for the Skylake build as you will be getting the benefit of the newer CPU architecture, DDR4 memory, and a wider choice of motherboards with the latest features.

Keep in mind, the i5-4460 is still a very strong CPU for gaming with the exception of only a very few titles like Battlefield 1. Unless you are hoping to play the very latest AAA titles on ultra a GPU upgrade might be a better next investment for gaming.
 
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hdmark

hdmark

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Feb 16, 2015
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i know you cant OC with an h81, but are you saying the h81 will not even support a 4790k at all?
 
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crazycorey44

Commendable
Nov 11, 2016
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yes the H81M-HDS does support the i7-4790k, here's the specs for the mobo:http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81M-HDS/?cat=CPU And why wouldn't an 8GB 2816 stream processors AMD graphics card be plenty for any game i play?
 
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hdmark

hdmark

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Feb 16, 2015
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ya i thought it did.

and the 290x is still a strong card, so i guess what games are you playing that you arent getting high enough fps?
I have a gtx 970 (somewhat comparable to yours) and i wasnt able to max games out on 1080p
 
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Luminary

Luminary

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Nov 29, 2015
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Yes the motherboard will technically support the CPU (as in the rig will run), but it would be a horrible waste of money to buy an unlocked 'k' processor like the 4790k when the motherboard cannot support the overclocking capabilities you are paying for with the 'k' chip.

What GPU + CPU you need solely reliant upon what games you play, your screen resolution, and what settings you are hoping to play those games on. If you are experiencing a slowdown in specific games the best thing to do is look at the performance diagnostics of your CPU/ GPU/ Memory and see where the bottleneck is occuring. That way you know what piece of hardware is actually holding up your games and what you need to replace next.
 
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Solution
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crazycorey44

Commendable
Nov 11, 2016
5
0
1,510
i have a 144Hz ViewSonic gaming monitor with the AMD FreeSync and want to run as close to 144 FPS as i can is why i am wanting to upgrade, Jack Nicklaus Perfect Golf on Steam is not performing like I want it too and everyone I talk to that has an i7 4790k or i7 6700k seems to be performing great, not exactly sure how good of mobo they are running, but my GPU is as good or mostly better than what they are running. Luminary, how do i look at my CPU/GPU/Memory performance diagnostics to see which is bottlenecking exactly?
 
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crazycorey44

Commendable
Nov 11, 2016
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My CPU % is 56% and my GPU% is 100% but it bounces up and down alot, and my Memory% is 22%, got any ideas on which is bottlenecking?

 
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