Best modern CPUs for gaming?

tkline · Sep 8, 2017

I'm building a new system, it's going to be used for gaming 99.94239% of the time. No streaming or content creation, I'm basically just going to use it like a console system hooked up to my tv. I have a regular desktop for those other things.

For a system like that, how important is the CPU? Let's say I'm going to use a GTX 1080 Ti for the video card. Will a more expensive CPU make a big difference in FPS, paired with that GPU?

At first I was looking to do a budget system with an Intel Pentium G4560. If I switch to a i5 or i7, or ryzen 5 or 7, will there big a big difference in fps? Just asking because since I'm only gaming, I don't think I need lots of cores & threads if I'm only going to be running 1 thing at a time. Since I'm planning/hoping to invest in a 4K TV for xmas, I decided to splurge and go with a 1080 GPU so I'm just not sure if I need to get a better/stronger/faster CPU as well. Also FWIW I don't really plan to overclock it, I never do.. too scared of breaking things. So I'm looking for the best stock power out of the box, for the best price.

Snipergod87 · Sep 8, 2017

Don't pair a G4560 with say 1080 Ti, you will just be asking for a bad experience, You should have at least 4 processing cores.

JalYt_Justin · Sep 8, 2017

At 4k you will need a fairly strong CPU, and Ryzen starts falling behind Intel once you go past 1080p gaming. For 4k the only processor I can recommend (for a decent price) is the i7 7700k. It might be worth waiting until the 8700k comes out with Coffee Lake, whenever that happens. Ryzen 5 1600 is a very good gaming CPU, however it is undeniable that the i7 7700k is the best all around gaming CPU on the market currently.

For gaming purposes, a GPU is the most important part of the system. That stays true all the way up to 4k as well, but past 1080p CPU becomes equally as important. You can't just pick up a G4560 and expect it to play well at 4k, you'll need stronger, which is why I say the 7700k is your best bet. i5 7600k would be good if Ryzen didn't just all out beat it, even at 4k. Ryzen 7 1800X would be good, but you don't do any content creation or anything that would make full use of the 8C/16T. Definitely 7700k.

captaincharisma · Sep 8, 2017

the top gaming CPU currently is the I7 7700K. also if you switch to ryzen down the road after getting an intel system you will end up getting both a CPU and motherboard again

WildCard999 · Sep 8, 2017

Since your not overclocking just get a i7-7700, B250 motherboard & GTX 1080 (or ti), it will be a well balanced system and good for 4K/60 FPS (mix of ultra/high settings).

When are you planning on building this? I think around October Intel will be releasing Coffee Lake & the i5-8400 or even i7-8700 may be worth waiting for.

Upgrademe · Sep 8, 2017

Doesn't the 8700k come out in like a month?

tkline · Sep 8, 2017

OK thanks.. I was under the impression that you really only need lots of cores if you're doing lots of things at the same time, so I could save and get a less fancy CPU. So I guess i7 is the way to go.

Another question.. for 4K, will a 1070 be ok? I have that in my current PC now, and was thinking of taking that out for the new system. The old one is just going to be for some light light design work and general web browsing so I thought the onboard video might be OK there. Or will I really want a 1080 or 4k?

TJ Hooker · Sep 8, 2017

JalYt_Justin :

This is all backwards. Resolution has little to no effect on CPU usage.If a CPU is capable of pushing 60 fps at 1080p, it's capable of pushing 60 fps at 4K (assuming your GPU is up to snuff). In fact, at higher resolutions the performance delta between different CPUs tends to shrink as the GPU starts to become the limiting factor. Which is why the difference in performance between Ryzen and Intel tends to shrink at resolutions >1080p.

TJ Hooker · Sep 8, 2017

tkline :

If you want 4K/60 fps in modern AAA games at high settings, you'll probably want a 1080 Ti. A 1070 could play at 4K, but you'll be turning down settings a decent amount.

geofelt · Sep 8, 2017

Gaming performance depends on the game, and the hardware.

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend to like many threads.

Most games, though can effectively only make use of 2-3 threads.
Some argue that the future will require >8 threads, I don't buy it.
Game developers want the largest possible market for their games.

Probably you want to balance the cpu to the graphics card.
Think in terms of budgeting 2x the cost of the cpu for your graphics card.
I7-7700K is, today the best gamer around. The GTX1080ti is the best performing single graphics card available.
It costs about 2x the price of the 7700K.

If your budget is not so rich, look at a $200 class cpu, either ryzen or I5-7600K and a graphics card like a GTX1070.

Then, on a lesser budget, kaby lake G4600 at $85 and a GTX1050ti would be an appropriate combo.

You get the idea.

tkline · Sep 8, 2017

OK thanks. Pairing up like that makes sense.

So since I won't be getting a 4K TV until December (and then only if I can get a good enough deal on the one I want), would I be better off starting out with the Pentium and a newer Motherboard, and using the 1070 from my old PC got regular HD gaming? Then, when I have the 4K screen I can upgrade to an i7 7700 & 1080 ti? Like would I be able to just swap the pentium for the i7 and that's all?

geofelt · Sep 8, 2017

Your GTX1070 is an excellent card and may play your games on a 4k tv quite well.

It would make a lot of sense to me to start with a G4560 and a Z270 based motherboard.
Planning to upgrade to an overclockable K processor later.

But... unless you are in a great hurry, I might wait until Oct 5 when supposedly the 8th gen intel processors will launch along with Z370 motherboards.
I think the I7-8600K will become THE gaming cpu if the overclocking potential pans out.

6 threads is more than enough for games, and hopefully, the 8600K can oc to the current 5.0 level of kaby lake.

Phaaze88 · Sep 8, 2017

geofelt :

But since coffee lake is a refresh of kaby, but with 2 extra cores - talking specifically 8600k & 8700k here - 5.0 should be doable... but I don't believe the strongest air coolers(NH-D15 and R1 Ultimate) will be enough, especially on 8700k. But time will tell.

tkline · Sep 9, 2017

Thanks, I think I will go with a 270 board and start with the pentium and my old 1070 card, and then save up a bit and get an i7 and a 1080

Another question about ram... I have 32GB of ram in my pc now, 2 sticks of 16. can PCs just run on 1 stick now? I always thought they had to be paired up all the time, but I've seen some build lists that only have 1. That'll save me some cash if I can split it up and have 1 stick in each. I do a lot of graphic design light video editing, but I don't think I need 32.

geofelt · Sep 9, 2017

Unless your ram is ddr4, it will not work on a modern motherboard like a Z270.
Of course, a pc can run on a single stick.
The reason for two sticks is so that you can run in dual channel mode which is faster.

It is always uncertain if adding ram later is going to work.
Even with the exact same part numbers, it may not work.
Ram needs to be matched.

I do not know what your ram size needs are. A 2 x 8gb kit will serve most.
But if you think you ever might need 32gb, buy your 2 x 16gb kit up front.

tkline · Sep 9, 2017

I have 2 16gb sticks of ddr4 2133 and a 170 board from asrock in my current pc. So I thought to save some cash I would just split the ram and have 1 stick in each system. just wanted to make sure it would work first. Would I get a lot better performance if I just got 2 sticks of new ram for the new system?

geofelt · Sep 9, 2017

A single stick in each should work.
Intel processors are not particularly sensitive to ram speeds s you should be ok.

Sill, I can't help but think that if you have a GTX1080ti budget, you should be able to get both systems running in dual channel.
Perhaps you could buy a 2 x 8gb kit for the system that can least take advantage of 32gb.

tkline · Sep 9, 2017

Cool, yeah I figured reusing the old ram would save me a few bucks, and I can always upgrade that later on. So I can get the case and other things now and then after I get my xmas bonus I can look into upgrading the CPU and GPU if I feel like I need it. Just have to wait a few more weeks, I want to build it in the new Phanteks shift case and they said that won't be out till the end of the month. I also like the Fractal Design node 202 but I think the Shift will look better on the TV rack.

Best modern CPUs for gaming?

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