8700k (6 cores/12 threads) or 9700k (8 cores/8 threads) for gaming?

[JustinXCIV]

Supposedly the next i7 iteration is doing away with hyperthreading and will have 8 cores and 8 threads. With that said, for gaming would it be more beneficial to have a 6 core/12 thread processor or an 8 core 8 thread processor? I see the pro of having the 8700k since you would have 12 threads to spread the workload but what if the 9700k's 8 core's are really good individual cores that spread the workload better...

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

It's nothing but rumors and so far most rumors have still said it will be 8 cores/16 threads. Only time will tell.

Edit: Yeah i see many rumors now about only 8 cores / 8 threads.

 

[shmoochie]

Well, you essentially get around 30% efficiency from hyperthreading, so they will likely perform similarly. There are very few games that utilize more than 4 cores right now, so it is all speculation. My guess is that Intel is dropping hyperthreading on the new i7 so that they can squeeze out a little more clock speed and make it the ultimate gaming cpu upon release.

 

[King_V]

From my understanding, hyperthreading isn't nearly as efficient as extra actual cores. ie: 8 cores/8 threads will definitely perform better than 4 cores/8 threads.

That said, it may not even be relevant, as I don't think games are that heavily multi-thread/core dependent yet, though I think others who play more modern games than I do can address that part of the question more accurately.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

Yes, everything is just speculations coming from a Sisoft Sandra entrance showing HT disabled. This could possibly be true, however there is also the chance that it was disabled simply because it was tested on a Z370 motherboard that hasn't yet been updated with proper microcode to run the new CPUs fully.

What is more exiting is the rumors about the I7 and I9 to come with soldered IHS instead of using TIM.

 

[vMax]

Right now I would wait for the 9700K to come out which could happen as soon as August...Then make your decision as if you have enough for the 8700K you will have enough for the 9700K. If the 9900K is soldered then it should be great and the extra cores and threads will make it better especially for other workloads. With some specs now being leaked and if they pan out then I would not be surprised if it is the best gaming for mainstream CPU...

Just wait and then make a decision on the 9700K or 9900K not to long to go..