Buy used i7-4770k SLI or new i5-6600K?

I am looking for a low buck desktop solution. The Haswell system is used, the Skylake system I would build myself. Built many systems in the past so it's no big deal.


Haswell System, used $400
i7-4770K
16GB RAM
Asus Z87 Pro (can do SLI/CF)
1TB HDD
500w PSU

Skylake System, new $542
i5-6600K
16GB RAM
Asrock Z170 ProS (no SLI/CF)
No HDD (I have 500GB SSD)
750w PSU

The purpose is that I simply want a desktop to play with and try different things. I have a GTX 690 and I know it's limited by the 2GB VRAM per GPU but I have considered getting another and SLI "just because" even though a 1070 would make more sense. I am kinda leaning towards the Haswell system. I know that Skylake is newer. For gaming I don't think I will notice one bit of difference.

I have one GTX 690 already that can go in either system although the 500w PSU is getting close to running out of wind.

What say you?

 

I would get the Skylake build but with a better motherboard if budget allows.. An Asus Z170 might be an option!

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Yeah you are probably right. But that would push the cost gap even wider.

I guess i just like a good deal.

The real question is would I see any performance difference between these two CPU configurations for gaming?


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u gotta factor in the cost of getting a new PSU for the used system as well.

the upgrade to a SLI/Crossfire-capable MoBo is next to nothing.

 

Yes, I think you are right. Is the difference between the systems even worth discussion from a performance standpoint?

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i haven't looked at Haswell performance in a while, but i think both systems should be on par with each other when it comes to gaming performance. i doubt either CPU's would bottle neck a 1070 and under.

if u add the PSU u'll need for the used system in, then i'd definitely go with the brand new system for just a little more. the difference is only about $100 -/+ and u'll have a spankin new platform to build upon.

 

My vote is for Haswell. Skylake doesn't bring enough to the table to drop down to an i5 and pay more. My 4790k stands up just fine to Skylake machines, it's not like Skylake was some massive leap in performance. I don't plan to upgrade again until at least Cannonlake and maybe not even then as my i7 has room to grow, just needs better cooling (4.9GHz needs more voltage than my H100i can handle and 4.8GHz keeps the fan noise on high while 4.7GHz is dead silent unless I'm encoding or something and then it makes a dull roar). Haswell is a very capable platform and I wouldn't give up an i7 4770k to pay more for an i5 Skylake but that's just me.

 

I see where you are coming from but not a fan of buying used usually.. Just cannot guarantee quality and reliability..

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You can't guarantee that with new components either. Check the capacitors on the motherboard, it sounds like a new power supply is in the pipeline anyway. There's a lot less that can go wrong with a desktop build than a laptop build and if something fails, it can be replaced.

I wouldn't consider Skylake without a 6700K. Microcenter sells them at a steal, especially when you combine them with a motherboard.

I just threw together a cart

6700K - 299.99
ASUS Z170-E (SLI support) - 84.99 plus a 20 dollar rebate
Corsair CX750M PSU - 87.99 plus a 20 dollar rebate
Geil 2x8GB DDR4-2400 - 49.99

Total - 522.96 (482.96 if you're not lazy like me and fill out the MIRs).

Now thats a system I'd back over the 4770K. It's not the cheapest either. There are cheaper boards but quad SLI, USB 3.1, and M.2 at that price point plus ASUS' incredible BIOS? It's a crazy good bargain.

 

That's not too bad.. Great Price, wish it was like that here in the UK..

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Yeah you really can't beat Microcenter. Similar build on PCPartPicker is quite a bit more. 592.84 before MIR, 552.84 after.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/ctTZZ8

 

Dear god those US prices. I envy you Americans .

 

Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it.

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Last time I built a desktop was loooong ago. Still have it minus the case. AMD X2 3800+ with 2GB DDR1.

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For that price you can buy a better PSU you know.

 

I have an HX750 and I love it. It has zero issues.

 

Well duh! HX is a high end PSU, unlike CX series.
OP is better off getting a SeaSonic or EVGA.

 

Screw SeaSonic but EVGA I'd agree with. I was looking at Microcenter though and their options are a lot more limited. Before I found the HX750, I was going to get an EVGA Supernova 1000W but since I decided not to buy two 780 Tis, I'm glad I went with the Corsair instead.

 

I do want to option to SLI and have thought seriously about a 1000w Supernova as well.

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what's wrong with SeaSonic?

+1 on this build.

and what's wrong with SeaSonic???

if u're on a budget then don't waste your money on a 1000W PSU. it's complete overkill.

my 750W SeaSonic could run an SLI setup without a hiccup.

 

You do realise that some of the Corsair, EVGA, Be Quiet, etc. high end PSUs are made by SeaSonic, right?

 

I'm aware that SeaSonic makes a lot of the high end PSUs but I'd rather pay money for the warranty from a company like EVGA or Corsair that actually take care of their customers than buy a regular SeaSonic PSU. EVGA and Corsair both have excellent warranty policies, with EVGA even having cross ship options available for most products.

And yes, a 750W PSU is good for SLI with most GPUs but I wasn't going to put two overclocked 780 Tis on a 750W PSU with a 4790K at 4.7GHz. Especially since at the time, I had a very bad 4770K that needed almost 1.4v for 4.6GHz.

 

Good discussion here. I am probably going with 1000w.

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The top end EVGA PSU uses Seasonic OEM.....

 

Correct. But it has EVGA covering the warranty. So again, I'd prefer to have EVGA's warranty as I explained.

 

Fair enough. Either way, go with 6700k. If you really want to go SLI with x16/x16, you need x99 anyways imo.

 

Ok, now I have to look up x99. You guys are making me read. Not a bad thing...

SLI with x16/x16 adds something tangible? Not being a smart ass, just want to know.

 

What's MIR??

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Mail In Rebates

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16x/16x is overrated imo. The performance difference isn't great enough to justify the expense of the X99 platform.

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GTX_980_PCI-Express_Scaling/21.html

 

I saw a test where beyond 4 cores actually decreased gaming performance in some cases.



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Yes, but in case of you suggesting a crappy Corsair CXM a couple of pages back, then instead you can grab a Seasonic for pretty much the same price, which is also better... Sorry, just no...
Seasonic also gives a 5 year warranty

 

Lively debate here. I love it! I never knew the notebook forums world be so active in the desktop section. I am learning a lot here...

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Again, I put together a cart at Microcenter only. Options are more limited, especially since in order to get the processor and motherboard that cheap I had to look at my local store in Denver, not the web store. SeaSonic isn't as easy to deal with as Corsair or EVGA for warranty problems either.

Lots of us have built desktops over the years. I'm 31 and I built my first when i was 12. In fact I was a pure desktop person until my early 20s when I wanted to cart my laptop to and from work for gaming purposes.

 

THIS is interesting. The slight issues that may happen due to hyperthreading is far outweighed by the smoothness in game play when you aren't running just the game.

 

most games just aren't optimized to use more than 4 cores. some games aren't even optimized to use more than 2.

i wouldn't consider an X99 platform if u're on a budget because the CPU's are alot more expensive and u don't gain any/much gaming performance from them. as Ethrem stated, 16x/16x SLI is overrated. the difference is like, literally, a few percent.

clean power and cooling capabilities are much more important for gaming. those 2 factors are going to help maintain stable overclock speeds and minimize GPU/CPU throttling. i would focus some attention on a quality PSU (instead of a more powerful PSU) and nice airflow because those 2 things can carry over when u are going to upgrade the CPU/GPU or go SLI.

 

Holy crap. Looks like the newer CPUs are worth considering. I neglected to consider the fact that Skylake is 14nm and Haswell tends to run hot. That i7-4770K is pretty toasty.

In the mean time, I thought this video comparison was enlightening.