Looking to build new gaming PC. i7-6850k or Skylake-X?

[411Please]

I want to build a new gaming PC, but I dont know if I should get a i7-6850k or wait for the Skylake-X processors first. Also I'm looking to future proof my rig for a surround view with a G-sync 1440p at 144Hz refresh rate. But I dont know if even a six core or more cpu is best for a surround monitor setup. I just assumed a six core is best for this due to the advise of Jay's Two Cent's YouTube channel video that I saw sometime ago, at least that's what I remembered. If anybody can help answer this would be great even if a higher core count is recommended for the cpu whether it's a Broadwell-E or Skylake-X, whatever is recommended for such a build.

 

[RobCrezz]

If its just for gaming, save some money and get a regular skylake 6700k on a Z170 board. Only reason to go for a Intel 6 core or higher is for other multithreaded apps. Especially now that 3/4 way SLI has been effectively killed off.

 

[Dustybin]

Is this system purely for gaming? Frankly single thread performance is still king in gaming, six cores with a lower base clock speed won't outperform a 4/8 i7.

I assume you're thinking of getting a 3 or 4 way SLI setup, well the 6850k has 40 pcie lanes so that shouldn't be a problem for such a setup. It also has a higher base/turbo clock than the 6900k which considering single core speed is going to be more important I would say is a plus.

Frankly the six cores will be barely used by most games let alone 8 so I would recommend you go for the 6850k if you want a 3+ GPU setup, and just stick with a i7-6700k if you're not and spend the budget on things that will actually make a sensible difference to a gaming rig. Looking at the gaming benchmarks between the previous gen CPU's and this I don't see there is anything much to be gained by you holding off for the Skylake-X range.

All this advice is void if you're actually going to be doing something crazy CPU intensive that you haven't mentioned, but for gaming alone I think it is sensible.

 

[elbert]

Directs 12 is best optimized for the six core but I would suggest the 5820k. It over clocked better than the 6850k and can be found for less then the 6700k. Put more cash on cooling and get the fastest video card.

 

[411Please]

Directs 12 is best optimized for the six core but I would suggest the 5820k. It over clocked better than the 6850k and can be found for less then the 6700k. Put more cash on cooling and get the fastest video card.

Good to know. Thanks for the heads up, but I know its stupid but its what I want. I dont plan on over clocking but do plan to learn in the far future. I dont have any time really to learn any time soon. I guess I should have made myself more clear as well, I want a bigger core for the 40 PCI express lanes, although you did help me to decide on the six core do to the Direct 12 info.

 

[Isokolon]

I thougt directx12 was optimised for 6 Threads?

Honestly when it's for gaming you're better off going for an i7-6700k + a 1070/1080 and buy a new rig in 3 years. Gets you better performance for roughly the same price.

 

[411Please]

Is this system purely for gaming? Frankly single thread performance is still king in gaming, six cores with a lower base clock speed won't outperform a 4/8 i7.

I assume you're thinking of getting a 3 or 4 way SLI setup, well the 6850k has 40 pcie lanes so that shouldn't be a problem for such a setup. It also has a higher base/turbo clock than the 6900k which considering single core speed is going to be more important I would say is a plus.

Frankly the six cores will be barely used by most games let alone 8 so I would recommend you go for the 6850k if you want a 3+ GPU setup, and just stick with a i7-6700k if you're not and spend the budget on things that will actually make a sensible difference to a gaming rig. Looking at the gaming benchmarks between the previous gen CPU's and this I don't see there is anything much to be gained by you holding off for the Skylake-X range.

All this advice is void if you're actually going to be doing something crazy CPU intensive that you haven't mentioned, but for gaming alone I think it is sensible.

Cool, thanks for your input. I do plan on in the future a double SLI with one of the pascel cards, that's if I go for the surround view. Then again I would definitely will be SLI'ing for sure on a 4K 144Hz monitor in my future proof rig . I should have explained myself better though on my reason for a six core or up, is for the PCI express 40 lanes. You defenitley helped me with holding off on the Skylake cpu and go for the i7-6850. Now all I have to do is to shop for a X-99 motherboard.

 

[411Please]

I thougt directx12 was optimised for 6 Threads?

Honestly when it's for gaming you're better off going for an i7-6700k + a 1070/1080 and buy a new rig in 3 years. Gets you better performance for roughly the same price.

Yeah but buying a rig in 3 years for better pricing and performance will always be true. I guess ya gotta just choose a time to build your gaming rig and buy the overpriced components and go with it because they will always have a better performing parts in the near future. Although I do want a six core or up for the 40 PCI express lanes, which I should have mentioned. If I do change my mind I will take your advise on the i7-6700k. Thank's for your advice.

 

[Isokolon]

I thougt directx12 was optimised for 6 Threads?

Honestly when it's for gaming you're better off going for an i7-6700k + a 1070/1080 and buy a new rig in 3 years. Gets you better performance for roughly the same price.

Yeah but buying a rig in 3 years for better pricing and performance will always be true. I guess ya gotta just choose a time to build your gaming rig and buy the overpriced components and go with it because they will always have a better performing parts in the near future. Although I do want a six core or up for the 40 PCI express lanes, which I should have mentioned. If I do change my mind I will take your advise on the i7-6700k. Thank's for your advice.

depending on how soon you want to build waiting for Kaby Lake could be an option as well.

I see where you're coming from and with the 6850k I can agree.
but for example if you were to go for a 1000$ 6900k to "future proof" I'd say: get a 6700k+2x1080 now and buy a 8700k+1x1280 in 2 years, as the 6700k will be all you need right now and when you need more than it, upgrade and get the best performance at the given time while paying the same overall as buying a 6900k now.


anyway for what you specified, a X99 build looks quite good

 

[411Please]

If its just for gaming, save some money and get a regular skylake 6700k on a Z170 board. Only reason to go for a Intel 6 core or higher is for other multithreaded apps. Especially now that 3/4 way SLI has been effectively killed off.

Like I've been replying, I should have mentioned one of my main reasons for the six or up core is also for the PCI express 40 lanes. It's really my main reason, also the surround view future proofing if I do decide to. But yeah everybody has been mentioning the i7-6700k, which I will consider if I change my mind, doubt it though. Again thank's for the reply.

 

[Dustybin]

If its just for gaming, save some money and get a regular skylake 6700k on a Z170 board. Only reason to go for a Intel 6 core or higher is for other multithreaded apps. Especially now that 3/4 way SLI has been effectively killed off.

Like I've been replying, I should have mentioned one of my main reasons for the six or up core is also for the PCI express 40 lanes. It's really my main reason, also the surround view future proofing if I do decide to. But yeah everybody has been mentioning the i7-6700k, which I will consider if I change my mind, doubt it though. Again thank's for the reply.

Glad I could help, good luck with the build.

 

[RobCrezz]

If its just for gaming, save some money and get a regular skylake 6700k on a Z170 board. Only reason to go for a Intel 6 core or higher is for other multithreaded apps. Especially now that 3/4 way SLI has been effectively killed off.

Like I've been replying, I should have mentioned one of my main reasons for the six or up core is also for the PCI express 40 lanes. It's really my main reason, also the surround view future proofing if I do decide to. But yeah everybody has been mentioning the i7-6700k, which I will consider if I change my mind, doubt it though. Again thank's for the reply.

Thats fair enough, what do you need 40 lanes for?

 

[PCN00b101]

I would just go with the i7 processor. You should use the money you save with the i7 on a better GPU!

I assume you will be getting a 6th gen i7 like the 6700, those things are damn good. And with the new Skylake you won't be spending more money on just the processor but the motherboard will be more expensive too.

 

[RobCrezz]

I would just go with the i7 processor. You should use the money you save with the i7 on a better GPU!

I assume you will be getting a 6th gen i7 like the 6700, those things are damn good. And with the new Skylake you won't be spending more money on just the processor but the motherboard will be more expensive too.

You might want to try reading the thread again... Every CPU we are discussing is a i7...

 

[elbert]

I thougt directx12 was optimised for 6 Threads?

Honestly when it's for gaming you're better off going for an i7-6700k + a 1070/1080 and buy a new rig in 3 years. Gets you better performance for roughly the same price.

Na 6 cores or about 12 threads.

 

[PCN00b101]

I would just go with the i7 processor. You should use the money you save with the i7 on a better GPU!

I assume you will be getting a 6th gen i7 like the 6700, those things are damn good. And with the new Skylake you won't be spending more money on just the processor but the motherboard will be more expensive too.

You might want to try reading the thread again... Every CPU we are discussing is a i7...

Ya Ik I posted it then noticed that we were talking about a i7 XD