Which CPU Should I Get? (Intel Core i7-4790K or Intel Core i5-8600K)

kinggamer1st

Prominent
Dec 21, 2017
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510
Hello,

I am thinking of upgrading my CPU and was wondering which one I should go with. This is for my gaming computer and I don't plan on doing any video rendering etc., only gaming.
I have managed to narrow it down to two based on budget, specs, performance, and just what I think I need - Intel® Core™ i7-4790K and Intel® Core™ i5-8600K.

Below you can find my current Computer Specs:
CPU - Intel Pentium G3260
GPU - MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti
MOBO - Gigabyte Technology H81M-S2H
RAM - 8GB Single-Channel DDR3 1400MHz (think it could actually be 1600MHz though.)
STORAGE - 1TB Seagate ST1000DM003 Barracuda HDD
OS - Windows 10 Pro

(anything else required please tell me)
My problem right now is that I am unsure as to what one would be the better option for me.
The i7-4790K is supported by my motherboard and doesn't require any other changes (that I am aware of). It also features 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology, as well as a base frequency of 4.00GHz and 8MB of Intel SmartCache.
The i5-8600K on the other hand, is not supported by my current motherboard would require other changes (such as a RAM and Motherboard upgrade). It features 2 more cores than the previous (now 6) however 2 less threads (now also 6), a lower base frequency of 3.60GHz and 9MB of Intel ("regular") Cache.

The prices are roughly the same and I am willing to pay more for extra parts if it means a significant performance boost in games. There are other less significant similarities and differences between the two that I didn't mention however you can see these yourself if you wish.


Also, if anyone has any upgrade suggestions or other Intel CPU recommendations that suit my PC please let me know.

Thanks
 
Solution
If you don't mind spending the extra $$$, the 8600k would be marginally better. The 4790k is not a bad option at all though. However, With an H81 board you will lack overclocking ability. So a board upgrade would still be in order if you want to overclock.

It depends on what your gaming goals are. If you are wanting to play at 1080p 60Hz Ultra, you might even upgrade that GPU as well.


Another option from Intel would be the 8350k, it lacks hyperthreading but it is overclockable and still has 4cores. But it also requires an expensive Z370 board and an aftermarket cooler to get up to good OC speeds.

An option from AMD is the Ryzen 5 1600. It's a little more than the 8350k but comes with a cooler, and can be used with cheaper B350...

EpIckFa1LJoN

Admirable
If you don't mind spending the extra $$$, the 8600k would be marginally better. The 4790k is not a bad option at all though. However, With an H81 board you will lack overclocking ability. So a board upgrade would still be in order if you want to overclock.

It depends on what your gaming goals are. If you are wanting to play at 1080p 60Hz Ultra, you might even upgrade that GPU as well.


Another option from Intel would be the 8350k, it lacks hyperthreading but it is overclockable and still has 4cores. But it also requires an expensive Z370 board and an aftermarket cooler to get up to good OC speeds.

An option from AMD is the Ryzen 5 1600. It's a little more than the 8350k but comes with a cooler, and can be used with cheaper B350 boards. Ryzen really shines with 3200MHz RAM so that will also factor in, but after all is said and done. The Ryzen is very very slightly cheaper, and will be outperformed by the 8350k in a lot of cases (not all mind you)
 
Solution

kinggamer1st

Prominent
Dec 21, 2017
11
0
510


I am planning to upgrade by GPU later on down the line because my CPU is the most in need of rescue. I really just need a processor that would be able to work well with a high end graphics card (at some point) such as an NVIDIA 10 Series GPU.
Thank you for your reply though, it was very helpful :)
 

EpIckFa1LJoN

Admirable
I'll break this down a little.

Cost of Used 4790k: ~$250-300 US

An 8350k with a decent 4.7GHz OC will heavily outperform a stock 4790k in single core and quad-core performance (most games), but will lose out at multi-threaded performance (due to no hyper threading)(most newer AAA titles). Cost of 8350k with board and RAM: ~$400 US

A Ryzen 5 1600 with a solid 3.8GHz OC will get close to the 4790k (nowhere near the 8350k) in single core performance, but will pass it greatly in quad-core and multi-threaded performance. However it will still get beat by the 8350k until true multi-threaded performance is reached. So for most games the 8350k is still better. Cost of 1600 upgrade: ~$375 US

8600k with a decent overclock will beat them all in every respect.
8600k build: ~$480 US
 
At an equal cost to upgrade, the I5-8600K would be a much better performer.
You would get some benefit by moving from 4 threads to 8, but most games depend on the performance of the single master thread.
A I5-8600K will usually overclock to the 4.7-5.0 range.
Plus, you get 6 threads.
Few games can effectively use more than 2-3 threads.

The extra cpu core speed comes into play when you start using a GTX108xx class graphics card.
 

EpIckFa1LJoN

Admirable




No, the 8600k will outperform the 4790k especially if you cannot OC the 4790k because of your current board. If you were to upgrade the current board you might as well upgrade the CPU to something current.

Newer architecture helps a lot. And threads do not equal physical cores. so just because the 4790k has two more threads, it still has two less physical cores, in addition the clock speeds are slightly lower. So the 8600k beats the 4790k in all three categories (Single Core, Quad-core, and Multi-core)