i7-7700(Not K version): A viable gaming CPU choice/comparable to 7700k?

[Kobe Eveleigh]

So I get paid on Monday and was planning to order a 7700k until I figured out that after paying the bills I have exactly enough to buy a 7700k, would leave me no cash for a couple weeks. I don't really want to put off completing the build as everything else has been purchased already and the 30 day return period would end for both the GPU & motherboard meaning if they turn out to be defective I have to go through RMA process which I'm not familiar with.

I don't plan to overclock so I'm thinking about possibly getting the locked 7700 instead. So it's pretty much a matter of comparing i7-7700's 4.2Ghz boost clock to a 7700k at 4.5Ghz or maybe an easy OC like 4.6Ghz. Will this difference matter when it comes to 4K/1440p@60 gaming? If I buy the 7700k I don't think I'd try for high OC like 5Ghz or more, at least not until it's pretty much already time to replace the CPU in a few generations when everything moves ahead.


Build: i7-7700(k?), MSI Z-270A Motherboard, MSI Armor 1080 OC, G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4 3200Mhz 16CAS, Samsung EVO 850 500GB, Seagate Barracuda 2TB, EVGA G2 750W PSU, Corsair 200R Mid ATX

Games: Fallout 4 w/ mods, Skyrim SE w/ mods, Middle Earth: Shadow of War, Assassin's Creed Reboot, The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, GTA V, R6 Siege, Dark Souls 3, Cyberpunk 2077(whenever it releases), Battlefield 1

Resolution: 4K Ultra wherever feasible, otherwise 1440p ultra or 4K reduced settings. 60fps or reasonably close to it is the target. Need to buy the monitor later so I'm going to use a basic 1080p/60hz model for now.

 

[chemmajorp53]

If you're playing 4k60 or 1440p60, 7700 is an excellent CPU and you probably won't even notice the difference between it and the K model. The only problem is that the main draw to buying an unlocked CPU is being able to use a cheaper mobo, but the cheaper mobos won't support 3200MHz RAM.

 

[Kobe Eveleigh]

If you're playing 4k60 or 1440p60, 7700 is an excellent CPU and you probably won't even notice the difference between it and the K model. The only problem is that the main draw to buying an unlocked CPU is being able to use a cheaper mobo, but the cheaper mobos won't support 3200MHz RAM.

I already own a Z270 motherboard(MSI Z-270A Pro) so at least I can use 3200mhz RAM.

Oh right I should correct the opening post, it didn't include my motherboard.

 

[chemmajorp53]

If you already have the z270 board, then you might as well get the K model in my opinion, there's no use spending an extra $70-100 on an overclockable motherboard only to waste it trying to save $20 on the processor

 

[lucas_7_94]

The RAM's will work @ 2400Mhz.

 

[Kobe Eveleigh]

If you already have the z270 board, then you might as well get the K model in my opinion, there's no use spending an extra $70-100 on an overclockable motherboard only to waste it trying to save $20 on the processor

That was the plan except stuff came up so I'm lower on cash than expected. I bought motherboard & GPU ~3 weeks ago so 30 day return period would end. I don't have any PC right now so I can't test them till I buy a CPU. If they are DoA I would have to go through RMA process.

I caught a sale on my Z270 board, it was about CAD$135(~140 after tax). The cheapest H270 boards I can see on ca pc parts picker are $133 followed by $138. Even now the difference isn't much, my board can be bought for CAD$152.
i7 7700= CAD$409.99
i7 7700k= CAD$459.99

 

[urbancamper]

The i7 7700 has a some big pluses. It will not heat up like the 7700k, which has some heat issues. Another plus is, even though you are not overclocking it, it has 8 threads, as opposed to the 7600k which only has 4. It also eats a lot less electricity.

Good idea. Good cpu. It will game like a champ.