What kind of CPU for 4k gaming?

[chainers]

The title is pretty much the question. What kind of CPU would I need if I want to do 4K gaming, or is it more about the GPU?

 

[CTurbo]

It's definitely more about the gpu, but the cpu still plays an important role.

To get the most out of a gpu that's strong enough to play at 4k, you'll want an i5 or an i7. The newer i3s would be fine in some games though.

 

[Geekwad]

More about the GPU, but most Intel's from the last several years will do the trick. i5 or better is probably worth it at this resolution.

AMD 'could' be considered, but their current FX line is considered quite dated at this point. I'd stay away from them for the time being (for a new 4k system anyway), until the new FX line comes out......in a few months.

 

[Ecky]

Resolution has nothing (directly) to do with CPU load. A CPU capable of delivering 60fps at 1280x720 will also deliver 60fps at 4096x2160, but you'll need many times the GPU power. Mostly, you'll want a faster CPU if you're shooting for higher framerates, e.g. you have a 120 or 144hz screen.

Most agree a Skylake i5 is adequate for delivering 60fps in nearly all games, if you're not streaming. If you're shooting for 120 or 144fps, an i7 is a better bet.

 

[Kurz]

As long as you have a 4 core either i5 or i7 should be fine.

 

[chainers]

So the i5-6600K (or whatever the number is) would be suitable for my needs and I should put the monetary investment into a GPU (or two, quite frankly) to output at 4k!

Got it!

 

[James Mason]

Yeah, for 4k, you wanna drop like $600 on a GPU for like, highish settings at 60FPS.
An if you want higher settings than that, drop another $600 on a GPU and SLI/crossfire them.

Don't bother with 4k unless you're willing to waste money, because 4k is currently a complete waste of money.

It's close to being viable, but needs at least 2 more years.

 

[Geekwad]

Yeah, for 4k, you wanna drop like $600 on a GPU for like, highish settings at 60FPS.
An if you want higher settings than that, drop another $600 on a GPU and crossfire them.

Don't bother with 4k unless you're willing to waste money, because 4k is currently a complete waste of money.

It's close to be viable, but needs at least 2 more years.

Just for the record I'd like to say that I wholeheartedly agree with this.

If you don't already have the display.......1440p wide or ultra-wide, and at great refresh rates with an adaptive sync monitor, is so much easier to enjoy compared to struggling to maintain 4k smoothly. The best of the best single GPUs are just barely getting it done at 60hz right now (and not even in all cases), so will surely struggle in the future.

 

[chainers]

Yeah, for 4k, you wanna drop like $600 on a GPU for like, highish settings at 60FPS.
An if you want higher settings than that, drop another $600 on a GPU and crossfire them.

Don't bother with 4k unless you're willing to waste money, because 4k is currently a complete waste of money.

It's close to be viable, but needs at least 2 more years.

Just for the record I'd like to say that I wholeheartedly agree with this.

If you don't already have the display.......1440p wide or ultra-wide, and at great refresh rates with an adaptive sync monitor, is so much easier to enjoy compared to struggling to maintain 4k smoothly. The best of the best single GPUs are just barely getting it done at 60hz right now (and not even in all cases), so will surely struggle in the future.

Thanks for the tip. The reason I ask is because I just got a 4K TV, and was considering building a 4K PC in the future. That being said, it wouldn't be something that I do until the new year, and I may just wait until the next generation of video cards come out (assuming they will make it easier to achieve 4K display, with a somewhat affordable price). We will see what happens though!

 

[sshortguy1]

here's a solution I just done on my system I had a i7 4790 processor and waited for pascal articulture gpus to come out and compared the 2 gtx 1080s and the 1070s the 1080s a little increase over the 1070s though but not enough to justify the cost between the 2 , so I went with 2 gtx 1070s and benchmarked a lot of my games new and some that are not very old maxed out frames I gotten on gta 5 maxed out 75-80 fps rise of the tomb raider around the same , any older games than that you'll see your frame rates go out the roof , just interested in seeing how mafia 3 will be like maxed out in 4k

 

[Ravi_Singh1900]

As resolution increases games use more of the GPU and there is a very minute increase in CPU load from say 720p to 4k. CUrrently gtx 1080 is the best gpu in the market and it can do 40-60fps at 4k on maxed or near maxed out setting in most games. So getting x99 board or 6 or 8 core intel cpu will not be a great idea. Save money for GPU.

Getting a locked i5 will be more than enough for 4k gaming for 1-2. If you can stretch a bit than u can should get a locked i7 with simple motherboard over a unlocked i5 with z170/z270 motherboard is a far better.

Since there is a lot of data streaming in games the extra threads of i7 are really helpful. Unlocked i7 with a normal B150/B 250 or even h110 motherboard is a very good deal for the price.