Upgrading my CPU: is a i7 6700k worth buying over a i7 4970k, if I have to buy new ram as well?

[Superiorplatypus]

HI,

I'm planning on upgrading from my old rinky-dink FX-8320.

Right now I'm deciding between the 4970k and the 6700k. If I bought the 4970k I wouldn't need to worry about buying new RAM. but if I bought the 6700k I would get slightly better CPU performance, and future resilient RAM for about $100 more.

I'm not inherently opposed to spending that $100, but it doesn't seem worth it to me.

A few other notes: I have not overclocked before but will probably do it with this CPU, I might try a VM with a GPU passthrough, this machine will be mostly for games and programming.

For reference, here are the builds I would be going with: Haswell, Skylake

 

[weberdarren97]

I have added a CPU cooler to the Skylake build, since the 6700k doesn't come with one. http://pcpartpicker.com/list/bqjPsJ

I strongly recommend making the move to DDR4. I've found that DDR3 clocked at above 1866MHz can be troublesome to get it to reach its advertised clock speed.

I strongly recommend Skylake.

 

[Superiorplatypus]

I have added a CPU cooler to the Skylake build, since the 6700k doesn't come with one. http://pcpartpicker.com/list/bqjPsJ

I strongly recommend making the move to DDR4. I've found that DDR3 clocked at above 1866MHz can be troublesome to get it to reach its advertised clock speed.

I strongly recommend Skylake.

This is a pretty nooby question: How much will I notice the improved clock rate?

 

[weberdarren97]

If you're talking about the RAM, faster RAM reduces stutter in games, shortens those frustrating moments when the system momentarily freezes because you don't know how to use Firefox without having 85 tabs open, and achieves a better sync with the CPU (resulting in a more responsive system).

I think you would definitely notice it.

 

[Mike3k24]

No come on don't give that Bs. It's not worth spending all the extra money for new ram + new cpu. Just get the 4790k it's still one of the strongest CPUs on the market.

 

[BlueM_3_]

At stock speed The i7 4790k is actually faster then i7 6700k.
it can reach up to 4.4 GHz while the i7 6700k can reach only 4.2 GHz
it has a better single thread performance - 2528
while the i7 6700k single thread is - 2330
it also has a better score for overall performance.
11196 for i7 4790k compared to 10993 for the i7 6700k.
you can see it here - https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

 

[Adnro]

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-6700K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-4790K
The i7 - 4790K is the strongest and it's not worth the momey considering you need buy new ram... I think (99% sure) that the i7 6700K is better in Hyper-threading but the 4790K is better in Gaming for sure.

 

[Trender07]

IMO thats way too much costly upgrade for the performance gained