Upgrading to i7 from i5 6600k! Which One though?

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Commendable
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Hey!

So, I've saved enough money to Pay for a CPU Upgrade from my Current build, i5 6600k

Current Build:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/L69zHh

So, I would love to upgrade to one of the new I7's from the 8th Series, Like the i7 8700k.

I'd have to change mobo however.

But I dont know if this is a good choice?

Also, If I did this, I'd have to change Mobo, What is a Recommended Average Motherboard for this upgrade.



Essentially, What would you guys recommend to upgrade to?

 
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Agree, I’d upgrade that psu before anything else. Assuming a gaming build upgrading to a 6700k/7700k would be more than enough for your gpu and even then only some cpu heavy games would benefit. The 1060 is great for 1080 60Hz, upgrading past a 7700k the gpu even at 1080p just isn’t strong enough to benefit.

If you still want a cpu and motherboard upgrade then I’d suggest waiting for 9th gen Intel which are releasing sometime in October.
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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What are you doing with the system, specifically?

Unless the 8700K would give you a sizeable improvement in the tasks you desire, you might be better off looking to an i7-6700K or i7-7700K,

FWIW, your build looks like it's predominantly a gaming system - and an i5-6600K + 6GB 1060 is no slouch for 1080p.

An i7 upgrade certainly wouldn't hurt, but I don't think it's outright necessary.


That 'builder' PSU, and the lack of an SSD would be things I'd look to address first and foremost.
 
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sizzling

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Agree, I’d upgrade that psu before anything else. Assuming a gaming build upgrading to a 6700k/7700k would be more than enough for your gpu and even then only some cpu heavy games would benefit. The 1060 is great for 1080 60Hz, upgrading past a 7700k the gpu even at 1080p just isn’t strong enough to benefit.

If you still want a cpu and motherboard upgrade then I’d suggest waiting for 9th gen Intel which are releasing sometime in October.
 
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vMax

vMax

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Just to give you an idea, you are looking at the following for a minimum change upgrade to an 8700K:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2r62QV
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/2r62QV/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7GHz 6-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($36.40 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($103.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $640.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-09-24 13:34 EDT-0400

Dropping down to the 8400 which is still impressive on the gaming front:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3bmBNN
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3bmBNN/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($36.40 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($103.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $470.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-09-24 13:35 EDT-0400

Moving to the 8th Gen and the Z370 Motherboard will allow for a future upgrade to 9th Gen, which to be honest is just around the corner in October...
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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*EDIT* Got a couple of threads mixed up.

Realistically, I wouldn't look to pay new, retail for a 6700K or 7700K.

Looking through sold/auction history on eBay, a 6700K or 7700K should be achievable for ~$150, maybe $200 on the upper end.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=i7-6700k&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_Auction=1&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=i7+7700k&_sop=15&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

That's a viable pricepoint. Pushing nearer, or over $300 (retail cost for a 7700K today) and it's not a great cost of entry.
 
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Commendable
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Hey Folks,

I'll be using the System for Gaming mainly.

My current build is great, but could use some extra power for Streaming and Content Creation.

I recently upgraded my PSU to 600w from a 430w... Surely this is enough!?

All I plan to do is upgrade the CPU, I just want to know what a Useful Choice would be, as some may require me to upgrade my MOBO and Such.


So, you guys recommend just going for the 7700k? I hear I wont have to upgrade my mobo for this upgrade?
 
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mjbn1977

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Well, for streaming and content creation the extra 2 cores of the 8700k would come in handy. This would be the only upgrade that might would make a difference. Just from a gaming perspective your 6600k is fine. But the extra cores on the 8700k will help with streaming.

And yes, 600W is enough. It's not always only the watts, also the quality of the PSU is important.
 
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Barty1884

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You can upgrade to an i7-6700K as is. You may need a BIOS update to support an i7-7700K (depending on the BIOS revision you have installed).

For the right price, either of those can be viable upgrades. Full retail cost though, and they're >$300, which is a tough one to justify when a 6c i5-8400 + B360 motherboard is less.

If I were you, an i7-6700K or 7700K would be what I'd look to, if you can do it for $175 or less.
If not, then I'd upgrade the platform.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.89 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B360M PRO-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $262.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-09-24 14:17 EDT-0400

For strictly gaming, the i5-8400 should have the edge over a 4c/8t i7..... but with a 1060, it's probably not going to matter too much.


As for the PSU, it's not a wattage concern (600W is more than adequate), it's a quality concern. The CX600 isn't great at all.
 
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Thats interesting, In regards to bios, I've never understood updating it, I've never done that and Just ran the same version all along.

I mean, You mentioned the 8700k would help with more cores, But if I were to do that, What Motherboard or necassary items would I need?

I considered the 7700k, It's just the BIOS Updating I have no idea about.
 
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mjbn1977

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for the 8700k you need an Z370. If you want to overclock the 8700k you want to buy a good one (not expensive but good). You are good on the RAM and on your Dark Rock cooler. I have the same RAM and DARK ROCK PRO 3 and they rock together with the 8700k
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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A BIOS update is straightforward. Download the latest (non Beta) BIOS from here:
https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/Z170-P/HelpDesk_BIOS/

Put it on a USB, and follow instructions here:
https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1572-how-to-flash-bios-on-asus-board


For an 8th Gen chip (i5-8400, i7-8700K etc), you need a 300 series chipset motherboard.
For "K" skus, you should opt for Z370 boards to allow for overclocking - whether you want to or not. It'll help resale value in future.
Beyond that, "K" CPUs don't come with coolers.... but you're ok there. Really not much else you need to know/be aware of*.

*If you change platform though, you really should reinstall your OS. You should link your OS to a MS account prior to switching, which should (hopefully) avoid the need for a new OS license.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
 
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punkncat

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Go take a look at some reputable benchmark reviews on the procs you are looking at vs cost for that performance.

IMO at the price of a 2/3 generation older i7 to the performance gains isn't worthwhile, even with the hyperthreading. Cost gets steeper with the "current" (8th) gen due to your need of a mobo.
At most you are going to see a small gain in desktop performance that you won't realize, and perhaps a few seconds cut from content creation. I suppose it all comes down to how much is that worth to you right now.
General consensus is typically to wait ~4 gens on Intel before it begins to be worthwhile in a "really tell" kind of way when comparing apples to apples.
 
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mjbn1977

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I agree...usually the gain from a new processor is not that much, unless your processor is like 5+ years old (considering you had a good higher end one). I usually only switch processor/motherboard every 5 years. There can be a bigger gain this time around with the coffee lake platform (i5s and i7s) due to the extra cores when it comes to streaming and content creation. In your case I would only upgrade the processor if you want to invest in coffee lake plus new motherboard. Otherwise I would leave the system as is.
 
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Commendable
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Hey guys,

So I've just bought the i7 8700k on it's own, I understand I'll need a Z370 board but what else?

Also, Could you recommend A affordable and efficient board to purchase?

Thanks.

 
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vMax

vMax

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Motherboard suggestions....

Low - ASRock - Z370 Killer SLI/ac good VRM's for overclocking - $119 from NewEgg there is a 20$ rebate included
Mid - the Z370 EXTREME 4 good VRM's for overclocking - $158.99
Mid - MSI Z370 GAMING PRO CARBON - Good all round at $155.48

A 240GB SSD at the very least will make a huge difference and pretty much everything else can be reused...
 
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Commendable
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How about this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07639M7MY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1_1_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Also, In regards to getting a Fresh install properly, without any sort of remenence of my old hardware, whats the best way to do this?

I want it to feel like a Brand New PC.

So, I'll just need the CPU and the Motherboard and the rest of my components listed at the top should be Alright?
 
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mjbn1977

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Besides the Z370 motherboard you really don't need anything else. All your other components are fine. I am using the same CPU cooler for my 8700k, it is a very good cooler that, as you know for sure, runs damn silent. I was able to get a stable 4.8Ghz overclock on all 6 cores with good temps. I tried to get higher clock speeds (I eyed 5Ghz) but the temps were just a little bit on the toasty side. For more I would probably delid the processor, but I didn't feel doing it. Hey, but if you have 4.7GHZ or 4.8GHz on 6 cores....that is really really good. In terms of the motherboard, buy a good MSI or ASUS that is made for gaming. Not cheap, but doesn't have to be on of those Godlike Gaming boards.That will definitely help with the overclocking if you plan to do that. Nice quiet case fans always help. I don't know what you currently using. Because the 8700k runs hot. But its also the (almost) fastest gaming CPU out there right now.

According to you parts picker list you don't use an SSD yet. That might be something for the future. This will be a HUGE improvement for the overall performance of your computer. This will not improve FPS, but loading times by a lot. computer boot time, program start, loading games.....all this will be much much faster. And SSDs really good affordable. you can get 500GB for $100.
 
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Commendable
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Going to be buying a NZXT Case H500, Do you know anything about these fans or if its alright for the motherboard?

If you could suggest a Affordable, in the price range of like $150, Gaming Motherboard to fit hte 8700k, let me know too.
 
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vMax

vMax

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The ASRock Pro 4 is not the best motherboard and the reviews were mixed with no USB 3 Gen 2 and did not get a very good mark see Tom's review:

The MSI Tomahawk came out very well at $119.85 and has pretty much everything:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HLvZxr/msi-z370-tomahawk-atx-lga1151-motherboard-z370-tomahawk

Review for Tomahawk at Toms:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HLvZxr/msi-z370-tomahawk-atx-lga1151-motherboard-z370-tomahawk

Review fro ASRock Pro 4 at Toms:
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/asrock-z370m-pro4-micro-atx-lga-1151-motherboard,5711.html

With regards to a fresh install, yes just install Windows 10 pro on the new SSD or HD with all the components that you have....Make sure it is a fresh install which you can do via a USB stick and only have the SSD or HD that you are going to use as the boot drive installed...
 
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mjbn1977

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I replaced the fans in my case with beQuiet Silent Wings with PWM. they run soooo crazy silent. You can't hear them at all. You know how silent they are because they are used on your Dark Rock Pro.

Yeah, good pick for case. For me it was either the XZXT or the Corsair 400C. I only went for the Corsair because there was a great promotion and I preferred the aesthetics. But they both very similar and great cases. The fans they come with a probably fine, but they can be improved (if you want real silence)
 
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Commendable
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Nice!

Well, I'm not too fussed about overclocking or anything, I really just need something a little bit cheaper, maybe like £130.

Appreciate you guys letting me know about the components and such, now it's just deciding on the MOBO
 
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