4Cores in the year 202x?

[soxsure]

Hi,

 

a few years ago I got myself a kinda banging rig. I7 7700k and a gtx1080ti. I thought about upgrading due to rtx which I don`t really want to miss out on in the future.

For me it was obvious to skip Nvidia`s 20xx lineup. Now that the 30xx stuff is coming closer I will go for the next high end GPU, 3090 or whatever it`ll be named.

 

Now my question is if my CPU will actually hold back a way more powerfull graphics card. 

Using a wqhd screen 144hz, no hdr. Might be going for 4k 120hz in the future, not sure yet.

As far as I know lower resolution is heavier on the CPU and vice versa - for most games. Sooo yea; just buy a 4k screen and be set. Or is it not quite that simple?

 

Because upgrading the CPU comes with a new Motherboard and probably new ram too. Which is a pain in the meh.

 

[porina]

Similar situation to me, but I did make the CPU jump. My system was a 6700k + 1080Ti for a while, but I started getting annoyed with minimum framerate. Averages were still ok, but it was getting variable. Replaced it with a 6 core 8086k, and it made quite a difference. I'm still using that system right now with the 1080Ti moved into it. I don't feel a need to go 8 core, yet.

 

As much of a pain it will be, I think moving past 4 cores should be considered if you're going for a high end next gen GPU. I tend to stick to a system longer than people think because I really hate re-doing all the software and adjustments to get it exactly how I like it. But it will have to be done at some point.

 

At least, the ram can be reused if needed. Any CPU you get this year will still be DDR4. There might be some argument over optimal speed and/or quantity, but that's fine tuning when the time comes. Given the total cost of a build like this, it would probably be worth upgrading the ram at the same time. Old system can either be kept as a spare or for other uses, or sold on if no longer needed.

[LIGISTX]

2 minutes ago, soxsure said:

Hi,

 

a few years ago I got myself a kinda banging rig. I7 7700k and a gtx1080ti. I thought about upgrading due to rtx which I don`t really want to miss out on in the future.

For me it was obvious to skip Nvidia`s 20xx lineup. Now that the 30xx stuff is coming closer I will go for the next high end GPU, 3090 or whatever it`ll be named.

 

Now my question is if my CPU will actually hold back a way more powerfull graphics card. 

Using a wqhd screen 144hz, no hdr. Might be going for 4k 120hz in the future, not sure yet.

As far as I know lower resolution is heavier on the CPU and vice versa - for most games. Sooo yea; just buy a 4k screen and be set. Or is it not quite that simple?

 

Because upgrading the CPU comes with a new Motherboard and probably new ram too. Which is a pain in the meh.

 

A 7700k will technically bottleneck games compared to a 10900k for instance. That isn't me saying a 10900k is the answer to everyones problem, its just a point of yes, a lower slower CPU is slower... But an 8 thread CPU is not at all bad today. Especially if you can overclock it to ~4.8 or so. 

 

Here is a good example of how it does in a single game, which isn't indicative of every game, but its a good point of reference:

 

As you can see, even at stock speeds, its right there with a 3700x from AMD, which most today would still say is a very solid CPU. Overclock it to 5.1 (which you may not be able to hit, but its a good point of reference), now your at 10900k stock performance levels...

 

As time progresses, yes, it will start to show its age, especially at stock speeds. But, for now, your totally fine :). I wouldn't worry about upgrading the CPU for another year or 2, for the same reason you didn't upgrade to 2000 series nvidia. 

 

Here is another game at 1440p, which shows your point is valid about higher resolution needing a less "fast" CPU as the graphics load is mostly on the GPU, thus the CPU is not being forced to push as much data as quickly to the GPU:

[Eighjan]

15 minutes ago, soxsure said:

Hi,

 

a few years ago I got myself a kinda banging rig. I7 7700k and a gtx1080ti. I thought about upgrading due to rtx which I don`t really want to miss out on in the future.

For me it was obvious to skip Nvidia`s 20xx lineup. Now that the 30xx stuff is coming closer I will go for the next high end GPU, 3090 or whatever it`ll be named.

 

Now my question is if my CPU will actually hold back a way more powerfull graphics card. 

Using a wqhd screen 144hz, no hdr. Might be going for 4k 120hz in the future, not sure yet.

As far as I know lower resolution is heavier on the CPU and vice versa - for most games. Sooo yea; just buy a 4k screen and be set. Or is it not quite that simple?

 

Because upgrading the CPU comes with a new Motherboard and probably new ram too. Which is a pain in the meh.

 

1440p is easier to run than 4K; I don't know where you read/saw otherwise.

Nothing currently available will have an easy time with 4K/120, either.

[soxsure]

8 minutes ago, Eighjan said:

1440p is easier to run than 4K; I don't know where you read/saw otherwise.

Nothing currently available will have an easy time with 4K/120, either.

Well the plan is to let the gpu do most of the work so I don`t have to upgrade my cpu ._. And the 30xx lineup could bring enough power for 4k 120hz, or not, who knows

As @LIGISTX has shown me with the second graph, the 7700k behaves almost on the same level as a 9900k while beeing stock on 1440p.

So I got a good feeling about upgrading just the gpu so far. Oh an my cpu is just a bit overclocked (4.6Ghz) because I undervolted it. My chip can go to 4.9Ghz if needed.

[Eighjan]

4 minutes ago, soxsure said:

Well the plan is to let the gpu do most of the work so I don`t have to upgrade my cpu ._. And the 30xx lineup could bring enough power for 4k 120hz, or not, who knows

As @LIGISTX has shown me with the second graph, the 7700k behaves almost on the same level as a 9900k while beeing stock on 1440p.

So I got a good feeling about upgrading just the gpu so far. Oh an my cpu is just a bit overclocked (4.6Ghz) because I undervolted it. My chip can go to 4.9Ghz if needed.

Try a 1060 instead of 1080, that way it'll give your 7700K a rest.

You do know that the CPU draws the frames & the GPU outputs them to the monitor...?  A newer graphics card will tax a 7700K MORE.

[Nena Trinity]

8-threads will probably hold out a year more maybe for AAA games post that its probably 12-threads and up... :I

[soxsure]

17 minutes ago, Eighjan said:

Try a 1060 instead of 1080, that way it'll give your 7700K a rest.

You do know that the CPU draws the frames & the GPU outputs them to the monitor...?  A newer graphics card will tax a 7700K MORE.

But I don`t use a 1080p monitor where my cpu would be overwhelmed easily. I go with way higher resolutions so my gpu instead of the cpu is the limit. That`s why I even started this thread.

When does it become useless sticking with my 7700k?

[LIGISTX]

50 minutes ago, soxsure said:

But I don`t use a 1080p monitor where my cpu would be overwhelmed easily. I go with way higher resolutions so my gpu instead of the cpu is the limit. That`s why I even started this thread.

When does it become useless sticking with my 7700k?

So, just remember as a slight comment on what you said earlier about my second chart. Yes, the 7700k does ok in a VERY GPU bound scenario like that graph shows, but there is still performance to be had in most games via a faster CPU.

 

With that said, yes, I agree the 7700k (especially overclocked) is still totally viable with a RTX 3000 series. One of my buddies has mostly the asme setup as me, but a 6700k running at 4.6 GHz and a 2080 ti. We get very similar FPS in most games.

 

The faster the GPU, the more of a load it will put on the CPU even at high resolution, and will potentially present "more of a bottleneck". But.... bottlenecks are all relative. If you upgraded to a 10900k and overclocked it to 5.3 GHz all core, yes, you would gain FPS, but that would also cost you ~900 dollars for potentially, at best, 10% more FPS at "higher" resolutions of gaming.

 

Just making sure I am being clear with it all as fully understanding and gaining knowledge is important

 

TLDR; yes, I 100% vote stick with your 7700k for at least another year or two. And if its not overclocked, overclock it. Buy a decent cooler and experiment with overclocking. That cooler will last a long, long time. If you get a nice noctua heatsink for ~100 bucks, that thing will last for the rest of the 7700k's life, and the rest of the life of your next CPU as well which makes it a very good investment. 

[HardStroke]

2 hours ago, soxsure said:

Hi,

 

a few years ago I got myself a kinda banging rig. I7 7700k and a gtx1080ti. I thought about upgrading due to rtx which I don`t really want to miss out on in the future.

For me it was obvious to skip Nvidia`s 20xx lineup. Now that the 30xx stuff is coming closer I will go for the next high end GPU, 3090 or whatever it`ll be named.

 

Now my question is if my CPU will actually hold back a way more powerfull graphics card. 

Using a wqhd screen 144hz, no hdr. Might be going for 4k 120hz in the future, not sure yet.

As far as I know lower resolution is heavier on the CPU and vice versa - for most games. Sooo yea; just buy a 4k screen and be set. Or is it not quite that simple?

 

Because upgrading the CPU comes with a new Motherboard and probably new ram too. Which is a pain in the meh.

 

the 7700k was the best gaming cpu when it came out in 2017

as you know, its not the case anymore and its pretty outdated as it only has 4 cores.

im more then sure that your 7700k will choke a beast of a card like the upcoming rtx 3090

im also sure that with a good bios update you can get a 9700k/9900k working on a z170/z270 board (given the fact that you have do one of those since you do have an unlocked i7 cpu BUT that should be your least thought option as its not really good and im not 100% sure if its even possible, i just saw it online) SO its better to just get a new 10700k/10900k as even the top end 2000 series such as the 2080/2080s/2080 ti can really benefit from 8/10 cores and a 5GHz clock cpu so you can just imagine how much a 3080/3090 would be able to benefit from it.

 

im also sure that you are holding back your 1080 right now with 4 cores so just think of what a waste of money it will be to get a 3080/3090 with a 4 core cpu (unless of course, you plan of upgrading the cpu down the line like me, then yeah, go for a 3080 or 3090 but if not - maybe a 3070 and a new cpu and motherboard combo will be better or just stay with your current combo cause the 1080 still gives a fight to the 2060s and maybe even the 2070.

 

edit: i just re-read the first line of your post and saw that you have a 1080 ti... BRUH

why would you want to upgrade the gpu first and not the cpu??

your gpu still gives a fight to a 2070 and a 2070 super why would a gpu upgrade be your first concern?

that rtx feature is just a GIMMICK!!!

there are very few games that support it and im sure that even the 4000 series and 5000 series will most likely have it too

its not an 'exclusive feature to the 2000 series' that we will never see again...

just upgrade your cpu first and then think of a gpu upgrade cause you do have a beast of a card even in 2020. just without ray tracing.

 

edit 2:

forgot to mention OC state.

like the homie above me said, if you overclock your 7700k its a really strong gpu that would probably easily keep up with the 3000 series. like i said above. given the fact that you do have a Z version motherboard

[Nena Trinity]

7700K can play play most games at 144fps sure but I am gonna say anything that is a AAA game is where you may need a Ryzen 3700X or i7-10600K to manage the target...

[HardStroke]

9 minutes ago, Nena Trinity said:

7700K can play play most games at 144fps sure but I am gonna say anything that is a AAA game is where you may need a Ryzen 3700X or i7-10600K to manage the target...

ummm

you mean i7 10700k or i5 10600k?

either would be good but the 10700k will be a bit better

but yeah, you're definitely right.

OP should take a cpu upgrade before a gpu upgrade like i said above.

[Nena Trinity]

11 minutes ago, HardStroke said:

ummm

you mean i7 10700k or i5 10600k?

either would be good but the 10700k will be a bit better

but yeah, you're definitely right.

OP should take a cpu upgrade before a gpu upgrade like i said above.

3700X is a better pick in terms of price to performance than the 10700K is it slightly faster? Yes but only due to clock speeds... :I

 

Total reasons list to pick 3700X over the i7:

*Comes with free CPU cooler.

*Lower power consumption & heat.

*Price to performance ratio.

*Superior FPU unit (The thing causing FX to lose badly to Ivy & Sandy Bridge)

*Superior multi-core performance.

 

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/Intel-i7-8700K-vs-Intel-i7-9700K-vs-Intel-i7-10700K-vs-AMD-Ryzen-7-3700X-vs-AMD-Ryzen-7-3800X/3098vs3335vs3733vs3485vs3499

 

[HardStroke]

2 minutes ago, Nena Trinity said:

3700X is a better pick in terms of price to performance than the 10700K is it slightly faster? Yes but only due to clock speeds... :I

 

Total reasons list to pick 3700X over the i7:

*Comes with free CPU cooler.

*Power Consumption & heat.

*Price to performance ratio.

*Superior FPU unit (The thing causing FX to lose badly to Ivy & Sandy Bridge)

*Superior multi-core performance.

clocks and overclock capabilities are way better on team intel in general.

believe me, i know that the 10700k doesnt come close to the 3700x in multi core performance

power consumption of the 3700x is lower then of the 10700k

if you really get a 10700k im pretty sure that even if it came with a free cooler you wont be using it since its a 5GHz unlocked cpu and it is running quite hot

price to performance is also cant be compared as the 3700x is WAY WAY WAY better in bang for the buck.

but, as i said, the 2000 series benefit a lot from a 5ghz cpu so just imagine what would the 3000 series benefit from it

[Nena Trinity]

Just now, HardStroke said:

clocks and overclock capabilities are way better on team intel in general.

believe me, i know that the 10700k doesnt come close to the 3700x in multi core performance

power consumption of the 3700x is lower then of the 10700k

if you really get a 10700k im pretty sure that even if it came with a free cooler you wont be using it since its a 5GHz unlocked cpu and it is running quite hot

price to performance is also cant be compared as the 3700x is WAY WAY WAY better in bang for the buck.

but, as i said, the 2000 series benefit a lot from a 5ghz cpu so just imagine what would the 3000 series benefit from it

Well if we think it over remember that games do become more multi-threaded, not to mention next-gen consoles uses same Zen2 cores as 3700X & 3800X

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/Intel-i7-8700K-vs-Intel-i7-9700K-vs-Intel-i7-10700K-vs-AMD-Ryzen-7-3700X-vs-AMD-Ryzen-7-3800X/3098vs3335vs3733vs3485vs3499

Including to that the FPU & single-threaded performance caused the FX to suffer in games if we look at how things are going would you not agree the FPU & multi-threaded is probably more important in the long run? Unless OP replaces CPU every 2-3 years I would agree the intel choices are better since its a short term investment. (in which case the 10600K gets my vote!)

[Eighjan]

11 hours ago, soxsure said:

When does it become useless sticking with my 7700k?

... when the CPU is stuck @ 100% load; until then stick with it.