Intel CPU Recommendations?

[spaniel53]

I am in the market for a new CPU after noticing some bottle-necking for which I am now fairly certain my CPU is responsible.

 

I currently am running a four year old i5-4670K (stock---guess who neglected to pay attention to the chipset version of the motherboard) [3.4GHz - 3.8GHz, 4c/4t] and a new GTX 1070 (Asus ROG Strix OC). I also have the S2417DG (Dell's 1440p 144Hz IPS Monitor), of which I hope to make full use. 

 

I use my PC primarily for gaming, but also use it to do research, which includes mostly low intensity tasks like Excel and a bunch of chrome tabs (~10-15 at any given time), with the highest intensity tasks being programs that visualize molecular simulation results in OpenGL. I also like to record (not stream) game footage so I can pick out highlights later. I play mostly low intensity games (LoL, CS:GO) but also occasionally play higher intensity games (DOOM, SW:BF, BF1, PUBG). 

 

I am wondering what CPU is best for me. I am tied to Intel because a relative works there through whom I can get significant discounts. Any processor with an MSRP below $500-600 is an acceptable option for me. I'm unsure if my usage warrants the use of a 6c/12t processor (like the i7-6850k or the rumored i9-7820X) and am also unsure what sorts of benefits 4c/8t has over 4c/4t. If not, something like the the i7-7700k (yes I'm aware of the temperature issues and Intel's poor response to their consumers) seems to handle games marginally better than the i7-6850K in the benchmarks I've seen. 

 

If anyone has any insight into whether a 4c/8t or 6c/12t would be better for my situation, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

 

Thanks for your time

[Zando_]

If you weren't tied to Inetel, I'd say Ryzen 7 1700. Being as you are, a 6c/12t CPU will definitely help with recording your games and any simulation/rendering programs that can use multiple threads. Though the the Ryzen I mentioned is less than $300.

 

TL;DR for the OP post: LoL, CS:GO, DOOM, SW:BF, etc CPU, with the ability to record gameplay and run molecular simulation thingies. Intel only, as he gets discounts. 

[spaniel53]

6 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

If you weren't tied to Inetel, I'd say Ryzen 7 1700. Being as you are, a 6c/12t CPU will definitely help with recording your games and any simulation/rendering programs that can use multiple threads. Though the the Ryzen I mentioned is less than $300.

 

TL;DR for the OP post: LoL, CS:GO, DOOM, SW:BF, etc CPU, with the ability to record gameplay and run molecular simulation thingies. Intel only, as he gets discounts. 

I appreciate you cleaning that up for me. I realized after posting that it was a bit lengthy.....

Yeah most of the simulations are run on a supercomputer cluster on campus (I just SSH in and submit jobs), so my most intense multitasking would likely be either:

a) Recording using GeForce Experience while playing games @ 1440p,144Hz (ideally)

or

b) Watching twitch/youtube on second monitor while gaming with ~10 chrome tabs up in the background.

 

Do these scenarios warrant the jump to the a 6c/12t HEDT CPU (i7-6850k or the rumored i9-7820X) or is my usage better for a higher clocked 4c/8t (i7-7700K)?

Thanks again guys, it's my first time posting here.

[ArcticSalad]

I would go with a 8 core/12 thread Ryzen 7 1700 or the cheaper alternative 6 core/12 thread Ryzen 5 1600.

[spaniel53]

8 minutes ago, Shadow6767 said:

I would go with a 8 core/12 thread Ryzen 7 1700 or the cheaper alternative 6 core/12 thread Ryzen 5 1600.

So that's two people who believe more cores would benefit my usage scenario. Thanks for your input guys.

 

I am, however, set on Intel because a close family member works there and can offer significant discounts. That being said, I am open to waiting for Intel's rumored i9 announcement in June or to purchasing one of their LGA2011 HEDTs (e.g. i7-6850K).

[ArcticSalad]

7 minutes ago, spaniel53 said:

So that's two people who believe more cores would benefit my usage scenario. Thanks for your input guys.

 

I am, however, set on Intel because a close family member works there and can offer significant discounts. That being said, I am open to waiting for Intel's rumored i9 announcement in June or to purchasing one of their LGA2011 HEDTs (e.g. i7-6850K).

I find it extremely unlikely you can can a discount enough to match Ryzen's pricing. Intel's high end chips cost an actual fortune. I doubt the i9s exist in the form they are rumored as, and if they do, they'll cost two fortunes. Haha. But of course, that's just my speculation.

[spaniel53]

Fair enough. I haven't received a quote yet, so you may be right about that. The discounted Intel CPU may actually end up more expensive than the Ryzen counterpart. In the past, discounts have been in the 40-60% range though, which is pretty significant, but I do not have any quoted prices yet.

Edited May 17, 2017 by spaniel53

[spaniel53]

The discount I can get is 50% off MSRP, and it seems most think 6c/8c hyperthreaded will be better for me than 4c/8t, so I am now considering the HEDT line (LGA2011-3).

I plan on waiting for Intel's June(?) announcement on Skylake-X/Kaby Lake-X before I make any decisions.