Upgrading from i5 4690k what processor should I look for?

[Sithire]

So I'm upgrading from an i5 4690k, I know this is already a solid CPU but I just got a promotion at work and I'm looking to upgrade my rig to celebrate! Where should I be looking for a performance boost from where I'm at currently? I've had my eyes on the i7 7700k. Any recommendations?

 

[Barney6262]

The real question is whether the CPU needs upgrading?

What GPU have you got at the moment? Maybe you would benefit more from upgrading that.

Do you run a single monitor or multiple? Do you just use your PC for gaming or other tasks?

 

[Cdog042501]

The 7700k will be a nice upgrade depending on your gpu you may want upgrade that too

 

[RektSkrubz]

I just picked up a 6700k for $280 on ebay, and if you could do the same, that's a steal. If you REALLY need an extra 500MHz, you could get the 7700k, but those go for around $350, so it's not really a good deal unless its around $300-$310.

 

[EchohcE]

To be frank, the 4670K is already a really good cpu, especially if it's overclocked. I'll side with Barney and say to upgrade your gpu or get an ssd if you don't have one. The SSD won't help in games, but it makes literally EVERYTHING else better. Another good place to upgrade is to go from a 60hz monitor to a 144hz monitor. Literally night and day.

 

[Barney6262]

There are loads of different things which could be upgraded. What we need is a full current specs list and a budget for this upgrade.

Forgot to say, congratz on the promotion btw 😀

 

[Sithire]

I currently have a vegan Gtx 970, 250gb ssd, I run 2 monitors, 16gb ram and an msi z170 motherboard, I mostly just use my computer for gaming. I don't do really any editing or anything like that.

 

[RektSkrubz]

vegan?

 

[EchohcE]

vegan?

No animal parts went into making it

 

[Barney6262]

What specs are the monitors? Are you trying to push 144hz or just 60hz?

If you are running high refresh rate monitors I would suggest getting the 7700k

If 60hz, maybe consider upgrading the GPU. Are either your GPU or CPU at 100% usage when playing games?

 

[Sithire]

My CPU tends to sit close to 100% usage, I'm running 2 monitors one at 1080 144hz the second at 1080 60hz

 

[CTurbo]

You would benefit more from a video card upgrade. There is no cpu on the market that would make a hugely noticeable difference for you. Sure, an i7 would help sometimes, but you wouldn't even notice the difference a lot of the times.

Have you tried overclocking it?

 

[Sithire]

I never overclocked my i5, I always get worried about over locking and overheating something, I have the evo cooler master I think is what it's called, it isn't the stock cooler though, so what should I be looking for then? Like a 1070 or 1080?

 

[CTurbo]

A GTX1060, RX480, or RX580 would be a good upgrade for you. A GTX1070 would be a huge upgrade for you if you can afford it.

I wouldn't worry about the cpu any time soon.

 

[aquielisunari]

I never overclocked my i5, I always get worried about over locking and overheating something, I have the evo cooler master I think is what it's called, it isn't the stock cooler though, so what should I be looking for then? Like a 1070 or 1080?

The 1070 would be a great upgrade. The 1080 would be the best upgrade possible imo.

are my current specs. I wouldn't buy the 1060. Nice VRAM boost but the performance isn't enough of an upgrade imo. I will be satisfied with the 1070 but I really want to upgrade to the 1080. I'll skip the blower style cooler.

 

[Barney6262]

I am in a similar situation to you in terms of monitors. I run two, one of which is a 144hz monitor. I recently upgraded from an i5 4670k to an I7 7700k. My worry would be if you did get the better gpu your current cpu would stuggle with the 144hz monitor plus another monitor.

My CPU was limiting my 1070 considerably....

 

[synphul]

Another thing to consider with a cpu upgrade as far as cost and work involved, it's nearly a full system upgrade. You won't just be dropping a 7700k in place, it will require a new motherboard and ddr4 ram. At the moment ram prices aren't as cheap as they used to be. In addition to the $330-350 or so for a 7700k you're looking at around $140-150 or so for a motherboard to go with it. If you want to keep using 16gb of ram, modest ddr4-2400 2x8gb you're looking at $100-110. If you're currently using the stock cooler with the 4690k (since it's not oc'd) you'll want an aftermarket cooler for the 7700k (it doesn't come with one and a stock cooler from a previous gen may not be adequate).

That doesn't include the time spent to reinstall windows with a new motherboard. Not that it's the end of the world or impossible but the gains of going to a 7700k aren't just the cpu cost. You're looking at an os reinstall plus roughly $600 worth of upgrades just to use the 7700k and not short yourself on ram by downgrading from 16gb to 8gb.

You could spend around $340 and get a 4790k that would drop in place with your existing system, keep your motherboard, 16gb of ddr3 etc. It's not quite as fast but the cores are faster out of the box (500mhz faster) and cost of upgrade would be around half what you'd spend to upgrade to the 7700k. Just things to consider.

As others mentioned a gpu upgrade would be worthwhile especially if you're gaming across both monitors. It depends on how much of your gpu is currently used and if you're having to turn down graphics quality in the game to keep fps up higher.

 

[aquielisunari]

What are your thoughts Sithire? 4790? 1070 or 1080? New build?

 

[Rakanyshu]

If it was me, ill get the 4790k and the 1080, oc the shit of cpu and ram and hold until intel or amd comes with 10nm or 7nm cpus. (ill get the i7 only if you feel the need to get an i7).