CPU for Powerful VR Gaming (i5 8600/i7 8700/Ryzen 2600/Ryzen 2700)

[kongfugorilla]

I would like to build a new VR gaming rig that can play Fallout 4 VR at 90fps at max settings. I plan on buying a GTX 1180 in the summer/fall. Should I spend an extra ~$100 to get a CPU with more cores to future-proof my PC or will VR games in the future not noticeably benefit from more cores?

Here's what I'm considering:
1. i5 8600/K
2. i7 8700/K
3. Ryzen 2600/X
4. Ryzen 2700/X

My thoughts are that Ryzen's 2600/2700 though lower in performance now compared to i5/i7 will in the long run outperform the i5/i7 when games potentially start utilizing more cores.

I'm a little hesitant to overclock, but if you think it's worth it spending the extra money on an aftermarket cooler and a better motherboard, please let me know.

 

[norcalsc]

2 or 4

 

[Lumpus]

i7-8700K if price is no object and you need every single extra frame in your games.
2700X if price vs performance ratio is more important + more future-proof with later multi-core games
/your mileage will vary

 

[geofelt]

Today, very few games can effectively use more than 2-3 threads.
Most benefit from a strong single master thread.
If game designers start requiring 8 plus threads, they will not sell many games.

For most, a I5-8600K with 6 threads is plenty.
If your budget allows you to spend another $130, go ahead and buy a i7-8700K with 12 threads.

As to clock speeds, I5-8600K runs at 3.6 stock, 8700K at 3.7
Both can OC to the 5.0 area with a Z370 based motherboard.

The ryzen processors are attractive if you need many threads, 12 and 16 respectively.
That is useful for batch applications, but not so much for gaming.
Stock clocks are 3.4 and 3.7 respectively.

To go better, you need to overclock either.
How well you can do is determined by your luck in getting a good chip.
Most 8600K/8700K can oc to the 5.0 area.
Most ryzen tops out around 4.1-4.2

Today, overclocking is a bit of a misnomer.
These chips are designed to have their performance improved.
The process is simple; raise the multiplier in the bios from the stock value.
Voltage adjustments can be left on auto.
Only record seeking overclockers need to tweak more.

You are leaving some 30% performance on the table if you do not overclock.
No need to do anything initially.

You will do OK with any of the candidates.
I might consider spending extra budget on a GTX1080ti vs. a GTX1080 for a ttop end build.


What is your budget?

 

[kongfugorilla]

This answers my questions, thank you geofelt. Since I intend to use this primarily for VR gaming, I will opt for a i5-8600K or a i7-8700K with a Z370 mobo and try to OC it.

My budget is about $1700-$1800 depending on how much the GTX 1180 will cost at launch. This budget does not include monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers which I already own.

On a related note, any idea when the best time of year to buy is? Should I wait for Black Friday or are sales just as good during Memorial Day?

 

[geofelt]

The best time to buy is when you have a need.

If you wait for the next best thing, you will wait forever.

 

[kongfugorilla]

The best time to buy is when you have a need.

If you wait for the next best thing, you will wait forever.

Haha true. Although I'm still determined to wait for the 1180 since it's just around the corner and is promising titan xp performance levels at (hopefully) current 1080ti prices. I'm on a i5-2500k / R390 system right now and I figure I can live with it a while longer until the new card comes out