i7-5820K vs. i7-6700K for running a numerical weather prediction model (WRF)

[sup3000639]

Processor: Intel Core i7 5820K (405,30 USD)
Motherboard: MSI X99A Raider M2 X99 (238.64 USD)
~$645

vs.

Processor: Intel Core i7 6700K (364,35 USD)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z170-D3H (135,45 USD)
~$500

These are the most reasonably priced choices in my country and I'm wondering if it's worth the extra 150 bucks to get the 5820K for a custom OC'ed build which is primarily going to be used to run a numerical weather prediction model that is bottle-necked by firstly memory bandwidth and then CPU thread count/RAM capacity. Also any idea if an SSD would be any use? Any suggestions are welcome, thanks!

 

[yyk71200]

5820k hands down. Especially if you plan to overclock. Past 4 GHz is where haswell e starts truly to spread its wings. It just needs a bit more powerful cooling than skylake.

 

[mrmez]

SSD would speed up booting the pc and opening programs. Nothing else.

From what you say, it's a difficult choice.

The 6700 has less brute power, but better memory speed (DDR4 vs DDR3). For 99% of users however, memory speed shows little real world increases.
The 6700 system can be upgraded with a new CPU relatively easily down the road, the 5820 is the best of a discontinued system. There will still be plenty of parts available for a long time, but nothing new will be coming. If you do need faster ram for example, you'd have to upgrade virtually everything to get a DDR4 system.

Today, i think you'd find the 5820 faster. The extra cores will overcome any small differences in memory speed. Upgrading though, as I said, will mean virtually a new system, which is fine if you plan on holding onto it for a few years.

 

[joex444]

@mrmez

X99 and 5820K blow the 6700K's RAM bandwidth out of the water. 5820K is quad channel DDR4, 6700K is dual channel DDR4. 50-60GB/s on the 5820K if you equip it with 4 modules.

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5820K is hands down the better option for this. There is no debate, it's better in every aspect without question.

 

[yyk71200]

Yes, and broadwell e will come out on x99 platform including a 10 core monster. Dont know whether you will find upgrade worthy the price thoigh.

 

[mrmez]

My bad, thought that was still on DDR3.

In that case, the extra $ for the 5820 should be well worth it.