[SOLVED] 8700k vs 9600k for Gaming

[gedwards913]

It's been a while and I'm building a new tower. My previous experience was with a 6700k, so it's been a little bit. Looking at the two, it seems I will not benefit much more with the i7 for gaming, especially for over $100 difference, which would goto RAM lol. Thoughts?

 

[Supahos]

I don't know that a 9600k is actually an upgrade over your current system almost certainly not enough to make it the price difference. The 8700k at least offers more overall processing power and can actually be found used if you were so inclined

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Well, for gaming, they are so close, but the 9600k wins out in most games. It's a real balancing act. The 6 cores with higher IPC of the 9600k gives it a slight advantage. But the 8700 is within 5% and has HT. Like Supahos said, I'd prob go more with the 8700k, because it's more capable for other things, and so close to the 9600k in gaming, it's worth it.

Some games can use more cores/threads, so although 6 is perfect for a great gaming experience now, the 8700k will have some more longevity and relevance IMO.

 

[gedwards913]

Are more games taking actual advantage of the HT now though? Thats where I see the major reason to go i7, but from what I remember and have searched, not many do utilize it.

Also, Supahos, the 6700k PC is no longer with us unfortunately, hence this build. I have an i5-4570 laying around to use temporarily now.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Are more games taking actual advantage of the HT now though? Thats where I see the major reason to go i7, but from what I remember and have searched, not many do utilize it.

Also, Supahos, the 6700k PC is no longer with us unfortunately, hence this build. I have an i5-4570 laying around to use temporarily now.

More, yes. BF V is the best example, but others too. I've a 6c/12t CPU, and after playing BF V nearly all core/threads will have maxed at some point and would average about 70% usage. 6 True cores (9600k) is solid right now, and for maybe a year or two. Defo stellar for any recent game. But more games will make use of more resources.

The i5 4570 will disappoint with most AAA games now.

 

[mdd1963]

Well, for gaming, they are so close, but the 9600k wins out in most games. It's a real balancing act. The 6 cores with higher IPC of the 9600k gives it a slight advantage. But the 8700 is within 5% and has HT. Like Supahos said, I'd prob go more with the 8700k, because it's more capable for other things, and so close to the 9600k in gaming, it's worth it.

Some games can use more cores/threads, so although 6 is perfect for a great gaming experience now, the 8700k will have some more longevity and relevance IMO.

The 9600K runs at the same base clock, but at a 100 MHz less turbo than the 8700K. Although there might be the odd outlier where the 9600K does better with fewer threads , I'd expect those to be rare with the 8700K's higher turbo speed. (On a clock for clock basis, the 8600K matches the 9600K, so there was no IPC improvement, merely a 100 MHz bump in turbo speed at allegedly the same TDP)

https://www.anandtech.com/show/13400/intel-9th-gen-core-i9-9900k-i7-9700k-i5-9600k-review/18