CPU Choice: I7-5960X or I7-4190K

[nunuxx]

So I'm making a new build and I'm having trouble deciding on my CPU. My options are:
I7-5960X or I7-4190K.

I'm going to be using the PC for gaming and the cooler I have chosen is Corsair Hydro Series H105 Liquid CPU Cooler and I'm looking to overclock it.

So what my question is, which is better suited for me, the I7-5960X or the I7-4190K?

Thanks, Nunuxx

 

[Thineswar]

if it's only for gaming, then the 4190k would be fine as you won't notice much of a difference in games with a better cpu than that.

 

[Ecky]

Most games effectively utilize 2-4 threads. Your choices are between an 8 thread and a 12 thread CPU. I imagine that in most cases, there will be little to no difference between the two.

Have you considered the newer i7 6700K?

 

[nunuxx]

Thank you @Thineswar. Also @Ecky Thank you for your response too, I currently have an i7-6700 [Non overclock] So I'm looking for something that will give me a better boost then a slight model upgrade.

 

[lifespill]

It depends your usage,if you game just grab a 4790k or a 6700k with a strong gpu such as gtx 980ti or even 1080 when it would be availabe,it would be much cheaper and more powerfull than 5960x.

Only if you do heavy video rendering its worth to purchase the 5960x.

 

[nunuxx]

@lifespill Yes I intend to pick up a 1080, potentially two but I'm not sure If I will be using heavy rendering, Just gaming. So far I'm seeming to go with the 4790K.

 

[rhysiam]

Thank you @Thineswar. Also @Ecky Thank you for your response too, I currently have an i7-6700 [Non overclock] So I'm looking for something that will give me a better boost then a slight model upgrade.

Wait, you're "upgrading" from an i7-6700? Why? That's an incredibly capable CPU, even if you can't OC it. You're going to be extremely hard pressed to find any games that benefit at all from a heavily OC'd Haswell (4790K or 5960X). Any gains would be single digit percentages... no way that upgrade is worthwhile.

If you're looking to upgrade, why not post your full system specs, there will definitely be better places to spend your money.

 

[nunuxx]

Alright so that is my current build:

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/NQDRpg

The new parts I'm acquiring for my next:

1x Intel i7-4790K
1x Corsair Hydro Series H105 Liquid CPU Cooler
1x ASUS Rampage V Extreme USB 3.1 Motherboard
2x Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 8GB
1x ASUS ROG Enthusiast 2-Way SLI Bridge
1x Corsair HX1200i 1200W Power Supply
3x Samsung S34E790C 60Hz 34.0" Monitor
1x Razer BlackWidow Chroma Wired Gaming Keyboard
1x Razer Mamba Tournament Edition Wired Laser Mouse

 

[rhysiam]

Um, so you have a really solid gaming CPU already. The only thing holding you back from a gaming perspective is that graphics card. Why not just put the two new graphics cards and PSU into your current rig?

 

[rhysiam]

If you're dead-set on overclocking, you can just drop a 6700K into your current rig and away you go. Might be able to get a decent price for your 6700 second hand. But IMHO it's really, really difficult to make a case for that. You've got a fantastic gaming CPU already.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

just upgrade the video card, if you really need more power then think about a k edition skylake cpu to OC. Why you would downgrade to a haswell cpu is beyond me....?

 

[nunuxx]

An I7-4790K is not better than an I7-6700?

 

[rhysiam]

An I7-4790K is not better than an I7-6700?

It's older architecture and process node. Because of its high stock clocks and ability to OC even further, the 4790K does make up for those deficits and would technically be faster, but there's not loads in it. On top of that, you're going older, you'd require new RAM (back to older DDR3) and motherboard (back to Z97, with far fewer PCIe lanes and less support for USB 3.1 and M.2 Cards, etc). You'd be paying money to trade a tiny bit of performance for an older platform with fewer features. Not worth.

The bottom line is that so few games are CPU limited anyway, especially considering you've got high resolution 60hz screens, you're only targeting 60fps.

 

[nunuxx]

Alright thank you very much for your input everyone. I got a good deal on my I7-6700 so I will try to sell it and buy the overclockable one [K]. From this thread I have a hugely better understanding of CPUs and PCs in general thanks to this kind community. Cheers & God bless you all.