Yet another z170 thread. Long term build

[Method]

Currently running an Asus P6T with an i7 965 extreme (yes I know what my sig says) so as you can see, I don't upgrade often. This comment may irk some people but I'll say it anyway: z97 is on the way out. Socket 1150 is on its way out, it's due for that. At this point I'm ready for an upgrade. I want something that will last just as long as my i7 has. Other than DDR4 being a bit pricey, the cost of upgrading is vastly the same.

 

A 4790k on newegg is $339 right now. The 6700k is $350. For now I may go with a 6600k to offset the ddr4 cost. This way, I can upgrade to a faster cpu at a later date should I feel the need to. (should that be the 6700k or some other processor, who knows) 

 

Then comes the question of motherboard. I need something that lasts, and Asus or EVGA always deliver. I'm considering the Asus ws board once more info (especially price) comes out. That, or the EVGA Classified. Both will be pretty similar in price. Things I'll be doing with this build is mostly gaming, but a fair bit of web development work as well (backend development, so I need lots of ram.) I also need fast storage, and not necessarily lots of it (I have a nas) Asus WS board has 2 full size m.2 slots (key m), and a u.2 port. EVGA only has a single full-size m.2 slot, and no u.2.

 

I was going to go with x99 but I think that might just be slightly overkill, and since z170 is a mainstream release, I think I'd be better off with that. Looking to get some feedback on this. I know I said mostly gaming but don't get too hung up on that. I think realistically it'd be about 50/50 between gaming and productivity. 

[Nena Trinity]

Currently running an Asus P6T with an i7 965 extreme (yes I know what my sig says) so as you can see, I don't upgrade often. This comment may irk some people but I'll say it anyway: z97 is on the way out. Socket 1150 is on its way out, it's due for that. At this point I'm ready for an upgrade. I want something that will last just as long as my i7 has. Other than DDR4 being a bit pricey, the cost of upgrading is vastly the same.

 

A 4790k on newegg is $339 right now. The 6700k is $350. For now I may go with a 6600k to offset the ddr4 cost. This way, I can upgrade to a faster cpu at a later date should I feel the need to. (should that be the 6700k or some other processor, who knows) 

 

Then comes the question of motherboard. I need something that lasts, and Asus or EVGA always deliver. I'm considering the Asus ws board once more info (especially price) comes out. That, or the EVGA Classified. Both will be pretty similar in price. Things I'll be doing with this build is mostly gaming, but a fair bit of web development work as well (backend development, so I need lots of ram.) I also need fast storage, and not necessarily lots of it (I have a nas) Asus WS board has 2 full size m.2 slots (key m), and a u.2 port. EVGA only has a single full-size m.2 slot, and no u.2.

 

I was going to go with x99 but I think that might just be slightly overkill, and since z170 is a mainstream release, I think I'd be better off with that. Looking to get some feedback on this. I know I said mostly gaming but don't get too hung up on that. I think realistically it'd be about 50/50 between gaming and productivity. 

MSI makes the cheapest one I think!

[Method]

MSI makes the cheapest one I think!

 

Unfortunately you get what you pay for and in my experience, that rings true with msi. I also want something visually appealing and msi just doesn't deliver on that lol. Although, I was considering for a brief moment of doing a beefy Mass Effect themed build, and their z170 boards would be absolutely perfect for that. The novelty would wear off though.

[Nena Trinity]

Unfortunately you get what you pay for and in my experience, that rings true with msi. I also want something visually appealing and msi just doesn't deliver on that lol. Although, I was considering for a brief moment of doing a beefy Mass Effect themed build, and their z170 boards would be absolutely perfect for that. The novelty would wear off though.

https://www.komplett.no/gigabyte-ga-z170m-d3h-socket-1151/851597 (Gigabyte is cheapest)

https://www.komplett.no/gigabyte-ga-z170n-wifi-socket-1151/851598 (wifi one!)

https://www.komplett.no/gigabyte-ga-z170x-gaming-3-socket-1151/851596 (world of tanks vroom vrooooom?)

https://www.komplett.no/msi-z170a-gaming-m3-socket-1151/851773 (4th cheapest was MSI it seems)

[Method]

https://www.komplett.no/gigabyte-ga-z170m-d3h-socket-1151/851597 (Gigabyte is cheapest)

https://www.komplett.no/gigabyte-ga-z170n-wifi-socket-1151/851598 (wifi one!)

https://www.komplett.no/gigabyte-ga-z170x-gaming-3-socket-1151/851596 (world of tanks vroom vrooooom?)

https://www.komplett.no/msi-z170a-gaming-m3-socket-1151/851773 (4th cheapest was MSI it seems)

 

Im not looking for the cheapest option, I'm looking for the best option to fit my use case, not afraid to spend a little money. 

[Nena Trinity]

Im not looking for the cheapest option, I'm looking for the best option to fit my use case, not afraid to spend a little money. 

https://www.komplett.no/msi-z170a-gaming-m9-ack-socket-1151/851599 biggest and most badass?

[CostcoSamples]

I agree that z170 makes a lot of sense for new builds.  Yes, you can maybe find a deal on z97 parts, but its old tech now.  And for a long term build, I would suggest the 6700k.  That extra bit of clock speed and HT will carry your system's life a little further.  

 

Getting the i5 and planning to upgrade the CPU within one to two years is not an efficient plan.  By the time a worthy successor to the i5 comes out, you'll need a new motherboard to go with it.  Better to get the i7 and expect it to last a full 5 years. 

 

Another way to look at it is price per year of use.  Price out an i5 system that you'd be happy with, then do the same with an i7 system.  Assume the i5 will provide acceptable performance for 4 years, and the i7 for 5 years.  In both cases, you may decide to overclock in the final year just to keep performance at an acceptable level.  Divide the price by number of years and compare the two.  You may want to play with the assumed lifespan a bit.

 

For motherboard, can you wait a month or two for more selection?  Give the the big board companies time refine their lineup a little.

[Method]

For motherboard, can you wait a month or two for more selection?  Give the the big board companies time refine their lineup a little.

 

Can indeed, and probably will. However, the asus ws has me pretty much sold. I get what you mean about getting the i7 from the get go, I may just do that and span my build purchases out a little.

[NumLock21]

To upgrade to the next platform, you'll have to see what you currently have. What you have is Intel's high-end platform of that time. It's socket 1366, with triple channel ram support and that socket can run a 6 core cpu. Skylake, while it's a upgrade in terms of new technologies like USB 3, M.2 and NVMe, it's also somewhat consider a downgrade to what your current board is capable of.

Nahalem: Up to 6 cores cpu, triple channel ram, Xeon based have dual qpi for dual socket setup

Skylake: Up to 4 cores cpu, dual channel ram, only single socket setups, 36 pcie lanes (cpu+Z170)

To actually "upgrade" your build, get a X99, so it has more features than what you have right now

Nahalem: 6 cores, triple channel ram, dual socket setup on Xeons

Haswell-E: 8 cores (after 8 cores, it will be Xeons), quad channel ram, dual socket setup (Xeon E5 2000 v3), USB3, M.2 and NVMe, 40 pcie lanes (5820K only 28 pcie lanes).

[CostcoSamples]

To upgrade to the next platform, you'll have to see what you currently have. What you have is Intel's high-end platform of that time. It's socket 1366, with triple channel ram support and that socket can run a 6 core cpu. Skylake, while it's a upgrade in terms of new technologies like USB 3, M.2 and NVMe, it's also somewhat consider a downgrade to what your current board is capable of.

Nahalem: Up to 6 cores cpu, triple channel ram, Xeon based have dual qpi for dual socket setup

Skylake: Up to 4 cores cpu, dual channel ram, only single socket setups, 36 pcie lanes (cpu+Z170)

To actually "upgrade" your build, get a X99, so it has more features than what you have right now

Nahalem: 6 cores, triple channel ram, dual socket setup on Xeons

Haswell-E: 8 cores (after 8 cores, it will be Xeons), quad channel ram, dual socket setup (Xeon E5 2000 v3), USB3, M.2 and NVMe, 40 pcie lanes (5820K only 28 pcie lanes).

I don't think that is a fair comparison.  Skylake blows Nahalem out of the water in real world performance.  You can't just look at cores and clocks and ram channels.

 

He doesn't need to go x99 for a true upgrade.  Skylake is will be a massive upgrade for him, in every way that matters.

[NumLock21]

I don't think that is a fair comparison.  Skylake blows Nahalem out of the water in real world performance.  You can't just look at cores and clocks and ram channels.

 

He doesn't need to go x99 for a true upgrade.  Skylake is will be a massive upgrade for him, in every way that matters.

And so is Haswell-E, massive upgrade in every way, plus more cores.

 

Intel X170

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($111.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus Z170-DELUXE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($114.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.89 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($634.39 @ Amazon)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($634.39 @ Amazon)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($116.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit)  ($134.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Other: Core i7 6700K ($369.99)

Total: $2710.48

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-07 15:23 EDT-0400

 

Intel X99 (changed only cpu, motherboard, and ram)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($373.99 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($111.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus X99-DELUXE ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($386.98 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($124.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.89 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($634.39 @ Amazon)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($634.39 @ Amazon)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($116.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit)  ($134.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Total: $2806.47

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-07 15:27 EDT-0400

Price difference is $96, but that's because I've picked the same style of board, Asus Z170 Deluxe to Asus X99 Deluxe. Now if I pick the cheapest Asus X99 board, Asus X99-A, then

 

Intel X99 (change board from Asus X99 Deluxe to Asus X99-A)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor  ($373.99 @ SuperBiiz)

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i GTX 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($111.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus X99-A ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($234.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($124.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($97.89 @ OutletPC)

Storage: Seagate  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive  ($89.88 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($634.39 @ Amazon)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Superclocked Video Card (2-Way SLI)  ($634.39 @ Amazon)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($116.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM (64-bit)  ($134.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Total: $2654.48

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-07 15:32 EDT-0400

Haswell-E cost less than Skylake, and you save $56 dollars.

[Method]

To upgrade to the next platform, you'll have to see what you currently have. What you have is Intel's high-end platform of that time. It's socket 1366, with triple channel ram support and that socket can run a 6 core cpu. Skylake, while it's a upgrade in terms of new technologies like USB 3, M.2 and NVMe, it's also somewhat consider a downgrade to what your current board is capable of.

Nahalem: Up to 6 cores cpu, triple channel ram, Xeon based have dual qpi for dual socket setup

Skylake: Up to 4 cores cpu, dual channel ram, only single socket setups, 36 pcie lanes (cpu+Z170)

To actually "upgrade" your build, get a X99, so it has more features than what you have right now

Nahalem: 6 cores, triple channel ram, dual socket setup on Xeons

Haswell-E: 8 cores (after 8 cores, it will be Xeons), quad channel ram, dual socket setup (Xeon E5 2000 v3), USB3, M.2 and NVMe, 40 pcie lanes (5820K only 28 pcie lanes).

 

I don't think that is a fair comparison.  Skylake blows Nahalem out of the water in real world performance.  You can't just look at cores and clocks and ram channels.

 

He doesn't need to go x99 for a true upgrade.  Skylake is will be a massive upgrade for him, in every way that matters.

 

Yeah, sorry but you just can't compare the 2 platforms like that. Sure, I can run a 6 core processor, but as I said, half of what I'll be doing with this build is gaming, and for gaming, Skylake will absolutely blow any 1366 cpu out of the water. You can't compare clock for clock because there's so many other variables. Productivity alone, hard to say for sure, but the faster ram AND faster storage options trump clock speeds, hands down. To get the same, I'd have to run pci-e cards, which would take up my already limited pci-e lanes, especially considering it's not pci-e 3.0.

[NumLock21]

Yeah, sorry but you just can't compare the 2 platforms like that. Sure, I can run a 6 core processor, but as I said, half of what I'll be doing with this build is gaming, and for gaming, Skylake will absolutely blow any 1366 cpu out of the water. You can't compare clock for clock because there's so many other variables. Productivity alone, hard to say for sure, but the faster ram AND faster storage options trump clock speeds, hands down. To get the same, I'd have to run pci-e cards, which would take up my already limited pci-e lanes, especially considering it's not pci-e 3.0.

Some see their systems only for gaming, while other see their system that's capable of doing many things. Depending on how you configure your build, Skylake can be cheaper or more expensive than Haswell-E and vice versa. Want a build only for gaming, then go with Skylake, want a build not only for gaming, then consider Haswell-E. If you're near MicroCenter, then you can grab a Core i7 5820K for $299. Both Skylake and Haswell-E can run M.2 in x4 mode, U.2 (need a adapter for X99), and will have a performance increase over your Nahalem.

[bomerr]

Go X99 5820k.

 

Skylake and Haswell-E both use DDR4 so ram cost is the same.

Good entry level x99 mobos (asus x99-a) cost the same as mid-range Z170 Mobos: $230 

i7-6700k has an MSRP of 350, 5820k is selling for 390 on newegg right now and 320 at microcetner. 

 

so for roughly $40 over the 6700k and $140 over the 6600k you get soo much more performance. More cores primary but also more cache and quad channel ram. 

 

For gaming the question is: Will my CPU limit--bottleneck--my GPU?...

 

6C is 50% more performance than a 4C however as skylake has a high IPC it's probably more like 40% performance increase.

 

... with a 5820k you'll have 40% more CPU headroom to grow into the future. So it'll last a lot longer compared to the i7-6700k.  IMO since DX12 reduces CPU usage and 4K reduces CPU usage too, a 5820k will be good until PCIe 3.0 16X gets maxed out. 

 

Also M.2 might be worthless in the future. IMO M.2 is great for mini iTX rigs. The problem with it is that it's linked to PCIe lanes and you can't upgrade it after the fact. So right now M.2 4X is great for NVMe SSDs but what if in the future you want 8 lanes? well too bad no go you'll need a regular pci card ssd.