i7-6700K to i7-9700K - Nice performance improvement in games

djoye

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Within the past couple months I went from an i7-6700K to an i7-9700K (CPU + MB upgrade only), both running their stock clocks but with my DDR4-3000 RAM running its XMP profile in both cases. Same GTX 1080 GPU with the same OC, didn't re-install Windows 10, just installed drivers for the motherboard/chipset.

I'm impressed with the performance improvement in games. Before buying, I had looked at benches and could see there were improvements in certain benches, but didn't know what that translated to in games. I'm now able to crank up shadows and anti-aliasing and maintain smoother frame rates. I had not recognized how CPU-dependent games were, but going from 4 to 8 physical cores seems to have been very beneficial.

I've ordered an NZXT Kraken x62 to replace my Corsair H100i GTX. The Corsair can't keep the 9700K 15C from TJ Max while playing demanding games, so I think it is past its prime.
 
It's probably mostly because the stock boost clock for the 9700k is a whole 700mhz higher. If you overclocked the 6700k to 4.8-5Ghz they should be pretty much equal with a GTX1080.
 
I went 3770K @ 4.4Ghz to a stock 9700K (4.6GHz @ 8 cores) and it's been a massive massive improvement in gaming. Same card, 1080 Ti @ 2560x1440 144Hz. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, 7.5 years since I built the 3770K haha.
 
I want this chip or the I7 9700KF because it runs cooler than the I9 9900KF.

I have a 8700K now but I was spoiled by the Intel Retail edge program for 3 years and getting cpus for half price.

If you look at the reviews on Amazon for the I7 9700k someone is stealing these chips and shipping inferior chips so Amazon cant be trusted the reviews are really low because Amazon is corrupt.
 
I want this chip or the I7 9700KF because it runs cooler than the I9 9900KF.

I have a 8700K now but I was spoiled by the Intel Retail edge program for 3 years and getting cpus for half price.

If you look at the reviews on Amazon for the I7 9700k someone is stealing these chips and shipping inferior chips so Amazon cant be trusted the reviews are really low because Amazon is corrupt.

If you have an 8700k now, there is no reason at all to buy a 9700k (or some variant thereof).
 
I would agree with kirby, 9700K would only be an upgrade if your software absolutely sucks with hyper threading.
 
Thank you for your post. I am on the fence with my 6700K. I have 32GB G.Skill 3000mhz memory. I don't want to replace it. Ryzen looks like it is a little fickle with memory. I don't know if I want to do the 9700k/kf or get the big daddy 9900K since I only upgrade CPU 3-5 years. I feel I am holding back my 2080Ti with the 6700k. Plus I play at 4K on 100 soon to be either 110 or 120" screen on a true 4K projector. I keep holding out for something better, waiting on Intel to get their shit together for a proper replacement of the 9000 lineup.
 
Thank you for your post. I am on the fence with my 6700K. I have 32GB G.Skill 3000mhz memory. I don't want to replace it. Ryzen looks like it is a little fickle with memory. I don't know if I want to do the 9700k/kf or get the big daddy 9900K since I only upgrade CPU 3-5 years. I feel I am holding back my 2080Ti with the 6700k. Plus I play at 4K on 100 soon to be either 110 or 120" screen on a true 4K projector. I keep holding out for something better, waiting on Intel to get their shit together for a proper replacement of the 9000 lineup.

Ryzen isn't fickle with memory and really hasn't been for over 2 years. It will run your 3000Mhz memory without issue. I'm running my 32GB at 3600Mhz with Zen 2. But even a Zen+ chip will do 3000Mhz. It was only a 1st gen chip that would be problematic, and run it at 2933Mhz.

I would agree with kirby, 9700K would only be an upgrade if your software absolutely sucks with hyper threading.

I mean the 6700k to 9700k (like the OP is talking about) is much different than the 8700k to 9700k. I think I'd actually prefer the 8700k over the 9700k personally as long as they both boosted close to 5Ghz.
 
Thank you for your post. I am on the fence with my 6700K. I have 32GB G.Skill 3000mhz memory. I don't want to replace it. Ryzen looks like it is a little fickle with memory. I don't know if I want to do the 9700k/kf or get the big daddy 9900K since I only upgrade CPU 3-5 years. I feel I am holding back my 2080Ti with the 6700k. Plus I play at 4K on 100 soon to be either 110 or 120" screen on a true 4K projector. I keep holding out for something better, waiting on Intel to get their shit together for a proper replacement of the 9000 lineup.
Considering I'm seeing consistently smoother gaming performance with a 1080, I'd say that 2080 has more in it than you're currently seeing. I did look at the 9900K but there wasn't a large enough gain in games to justify the cost. GamersNexus is a good resource for info. I did just install an NZXT Kraken x62 and saw my temps drop ~25C under load, so either my Corsair H100i GTX is failing or is inadequate for more than 4 physical cores; if you're not already running a 280mm or 360mm cooler or something beefy, you'll need one to keep these 8+ core CPUs cool under load
 
You can air cool with a Noctua A12 99.00 cooler but it claims it can cool anything.
 
Considering I'm seeing consistently smoother gaming performance with a 1080, I'd say that 2080 has more in it than you're currently seeing. I did look at the 9900K but there wasn't a large enough gain in games to justify the cost. GamersNexus is a good resource for info. I did just install an NZXT Kraken x62 and saw my temps drop ~25C under load, so either my Corsair H100i GTX is failing or is inadequate for more than 4 physical cores; if you're not already running a 280mm or 360mm cooler or something beefy, you'll need one to keep these 8+ core CPUs cool under load

I just went from an i7 3820 @ 4.3GHz to a stock 9900k and I can tell you its a monster difference in every single way. You do get more longevity w/the 9900k but the 9700k is the smarter choice.
 
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