Question Is it worth the upgrade from i7-4790k to 7700k?

[Calzone99]

Hi all,

I am currently running a bit of a dated build consisting of an i7-4790k, with 16gb ddr3 ram (I don’t remember the exact speed but it’s not great) with a 1080ti. I have been noticing on more and more games that i’ve been crashing due to memory errors along with my cpu constantly running at a high load.

My friend is offering me their old components which consist of a smaller mobo in which i will need to purchase an adapter for my m.2, along with an i7-7700k and 16gb of ddr4 ram.

Was just wondering if this would make any big noticeable difference on my pc at all? I saw comparison videos of the 2 cpus and they looked very similar but the upgrade from ddr3 to 4 could also benefit

Thanks

 

[COLGeek]

Sure, you'll see a general improvement in performance from a CPU vs. CPU perspective. Not huge, in raw terms, but noticeable.

Do you know the make/model of the new motherboard (assuming from you description it is a mATX size motherboard vice full ATX you have now?). As well, what motherboard do you have now.

Is this a free offer?

 

[Lafong]

Passmark benchmark scores:

11 percent advantage to 7700K on single thread score

20 percent advantage to 7700K on multi thread score.

"Worth it"??

Not to me, but that's always a personal question and I have no idea of whether you can afford to do better by changing motherboard and CPU to recent generation stuff.

"Difference at all"? Probably. You decide if it's "worth it".

 

[Calzone99]

Sure, you'll see a general improvement in performance from a CPU vs. CPU perspective. Not huge, in raw terms, but noticeable.

Do you know the make/model of the new motherboard (assuming from you description it is a mATX size motherboard vice full ATX you have now?). As well, what motherboard do you have now.

Is this a free offer?

I use full atx now yes, current mobo is an asus z97-k and the new one is an asus h110m-k

 

[Calzone99]

Passmark benchmark scores:

11 percent advantage to 7700K on single thread score

20 percent advantage to 7700K on multi thread score.

"Worth it"??

Not to me, but that's always a personal question and I have no idea of whether you can afford to do better by changing motherboard and CPU to recent generation stuff.

"Difference at all"? Probably. You decide if it's "worth it".

Alright thank you, I always assumed it would be more of a difference from the 2 cpus but they do seem pretty similar. I’m currently a full time student so don’t have the means at this moment to upgrade to anything better however that will definitely be the move afterwards

 

[COLGeek]

I use full atx now yes, current mobo is an asus z97-k and the new one is an asus h110m-k

Not really an upgrade, but a bit of a "sidegrade".

I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze.

 

[Eximo]

i3-12100, better all around and quite inexpensive.

 

[punkncat]

Just to be fair, 7th gen was always kind of a dog in terms of raw performance. It could be of consideration that (most of) the 6th and 7th gen chips were well more efficient than 4th gen. and they aren't hard to keep cool.
It was asked above if this was a "gimmie" update and if this is free, sure why not type thing.

I haven't tried to sell a 4790K in some time, but these had been in demand a great deal over the years. My thoughts are that it is probably more well received by enthusiasts than the 7700K would be.

 

[Calzone99]

Just to be fair, 7th gen was always kind of a dog in terms of raw performance. It could be of consideration that (most of) the 6th and 7th gen chips were well more efficient than 4th gen. and they aren't hard to keep cool.
It was asked above if this was a "gimmie" update and if this is free, sure why not type thing.

I haven't tried to sell a 4790K in some time, but these had been in demand a great deal over the years. My thoughts are that it is probably more well received by enthusiasts than the 7700K would be.

That’s useful thank you, yeah it’s all leftover parts they had stored away and was offered them since my pc is starting to struggle on cpu tasks along with the memory being a slower speed ddr3

 

[Eximo]

Yeah with Windows 10 support ending and the support cutoff for Windows 11 being 8th gen, kind of a hard sell I think.

I really can't sell my de-lidded 7700k, so not sure what I am going to do with it.

 

[COLGeek]

That’s useful thank you, yeah it’s all leftover parts they had stored away and was offered them since my pc is starting to struggle on cpu tasks along with the memory being a slower speed ddr3

As noted throughout the thread, you would get some marginal CPU performance improvement and MAYBE some improved memory performance, but the lack of m.2 and weaker thermal management on the "new' motherboard somewhat negate those gains.

You really should start saving for a much more modern rig.

 

[punkncat]

Yeah with Windows 10 support ending and the support cutoff for Windows 11 being 8th gen, kind of a hard sell I think.

I really can't sell my de-lidded 7700k, so not sure what I am going to do with it.

@Eximo sent you a DM.

 

[Calzone99]

As noted throughout the thread, you would get some marginal CPU performance improvement and MAYBE some improved memory performance, but the lack of m.2 and weaker thermal management on the "new' motherboard somewhat negate those gains.

You really should start saving for a much more modern rig.

Absolutely I will be saving for a new setup after I finish my studies this is mainly just an upgrade that will be for around 6-12 months. I did just pick up a pcie adapter for my nvme m.2 so at least i’m not losing that

 

[DSzymborski]

Take into consideration that using adapters for NVMEe can be kind of janky in terms of using it as a boot drive.

 

[helper800]

I would say, given the above elaboration, that this is not really a worthwhile upgrade. Better to save any money you would spend now on a new computer in 6-12 months. Every dollar saved today is a dollar spent on your new build or anything else for that matter.

 

[PEnns]

I am in the same situation: 4790 CPU with its DDR3 memory, MSI Gaming Mobo and a 1660 Super GPU.

I must admit though, this setup is still working great for me (I added SSD adapters which work quite well, but I wouldn't use them as a boot drive; for that a Samsung SATA is working very well).

In my case, the setup runs all my games incredibly well (Far Cry all versions, latest Doom, Green Hell, Metro, Dying Light, COD, BioShock, etc) and I wouldn't contemplate any minor upgrades unless for a totally new system, maybe sometime this year.

Selling it though is a different story; not sure where or how much it would bring, most likely barely enough for a couple of new SSDs, which is a shame for such a still very capable system!

 

[JeffreyP55]

Hi all,

I am currently running a bit of a dated build consisting of an i7-4790k, with 16gb ddr3 ram (I don’t remember the exact speed but it’s not great) with a 1080ti. I have been noticing on more and more games that i’ve been crashing due to memory errors along with my cpu constantly running at a high load.

My friend is offering me their old components which consist of a smaller mobo in which i will need to purchase an adapter for my m.2, along with an i7-7700k and 16gb of ddr4 ram.

Was just wondering if this would make any big noticeable difference on my pc at all? I saw comparison videos of the 2 cpus and they looked very similar but the upgrade from ddr3 to 4 could also benefit

Thanks

The 4790k was an excellent CPU almost 10 years ago. My backup machine is a 4790k. The 7700k is not a lot better by any means. Either way you won't have windows 10 support after 10/25. No way to run windows 11. No TPM 2.0 support. Maybe save your pennies and upgrade to something more usable.