upgrading from a 2600k to 6700k?

[MrGuru]

Hi there.

I've had my trusty Sandy Bridge 2600k for going on 5 years now, and have almost pulled the trigger on upgrading to the latest Intel chip a few times, but ultimately, the many many reviews basically saying "if your gpu is fine, don't bother" has always stopped me.

The thing that caught my eye with Skylake however, is the pretty decent jump when using SLI that makes me really want to do a quick upgrade.
I'm currently running a previously mentioned 2600k @ 4.8ghz, 16gb 2133 mhz ddr3, 850 pro ssd, 2x 980 Ti @ roughly a 10% OC, and a Dell U3011 (1600p).

If I were to upgrade, I'd get a 6700k (+ an evo 212), MSI x99 SLI PLUS, and 32 gb of ~2400 ddr4 ram. Something like $700 for hopefully another 5+ years.
The new 950 pro ssds caught my eye too, but that's icing.

Thoughts?

 

[lehtv]

Why not. You're looking at a decent enough jump in performance with such a high end GPU setup. Lower power consumption is nice, newer RAM tech is nice, of course PCIe 3.0 x8/x8 support.

I happily went from i7-3770K@4.2 to i5-6600K@4.5... Kind of a side grade but I wanted to go microATX so I had to change my motherboard anyway.

MSI x99 SLI PLUS

Does not work with Skylake. You need an LGA1151 board with Z170 chipset for overclocking/SLI. On the other hand, X99 with an overclocked 5820K (or the newer Broadwell-E 6800K) is not a bad idea. A hexacore is more likely to last 5 years before needing an upgrade, esp. with DX12 multithreaded games.

and 32 gb of ~2400 ddr4 ram

is this just for gaming? If so you'll be more than fine with 2x8GB. Also, 2666Mhz is the sweet spot, and 2800Mhz (or higher) is fine too if it doesn't cost much more.

 

[MrGuru]

Nice catch - I was actually deciding between the 5820 and 6700, and just remembered the last motherboard I was looking at. I'll probably go with the ASUS Z170 Deluxe, and the ram I was looking at was 3200 mhz, not 2400.

Anyway, thank you for the response. I think I am going to pull the trigger some time here soon.

 

[bigboxes]

Yeah, I waited about 5.5 years before I finally upgraded my i7 920. It's not that I "needed" to. It was still a badass computer. Better than most computers out there. It's just on enthusiast sites like these that you see those rigs that compare to yours. Also, I would have upgraded a lot sooner, but then I started other tech projects. There's only so much $$ to go around. Congrats on your upcoming build and enjoy!

 

[RussianSensation]

6700K OC loves fast DDR4. 32GB is not necessary for games. I's rather spend extra instead on 16GB 2x8GB DDR4 3466-3600.
http://www.techspot.com/article/1171-ddr4-4000-mhz-performance/page3.html

Right now G.Skill seems to be the best memory manufacturer. Their 16GB DDR4 3200 is about $85-87, DDR4 3466 is about $110, DDR4 3600 is about $120. Newegg prices change often but G.Skill seems to be delivering usually the best price/speed rating. Skylake also barely cares about latency -- all about memory speed.

Since you kept your 2600K for 5 years, this is a good platform to keep as you'll need all the CPU performance you can get once you upgrade 980Ti SLI. Enjoy your new system !

 

[MrGuru]

That's a great article! I will indeed look at faster RAM.

What are your thoughts on say, a 950 pro vs the 850 pro for SSDs?

 

[RussianSensation]

That's a great article! I will indeed look at faster RAM.

What are your thoughts on say, a 950 pro vs the 850 pro for SSDs?

Personally, the biggest benefit of an SSD is the access time and random writes. Since I don't transfer or write thousands of GBs daily, the 2000MB/sec throughout is less important to me. You'd probably benefit more from moving to 1080 SLI or maybe even a new G-Sync monitor. For me M.2 is a luxury right now, but not a requirement for a fast PC. I care more about real world benefits and for my use cases, it doesn't seem worth it yet:
http://techreport.com/review/29221/samsung-950-pro-512gb-ssd-reviewed/4

 

[HiroThreading]

Hi there.

I've had my trusty Sandy Bridge 2600k for going on 5 years now, and have almost pulled the trigger on upgrading to the latest Intel chip a few times, but ultimately, the many many reviews basically saying "if your gpu is fine, don't bother" has always stopped me.

The thing that caught my eye with Skylake however, is the pretty decent jump when using SLI that makes me really want to do a quick upgrade.
I'm currently running a previously mentioned 2600k @ 4.8ghz, 16gb 2133 mhz ddr3, 850 pro ssd, 2x 980 Ti @ roughly a 10% OC, and a Dell U3011 (1600p).

If I were to upgrade, I'd get a 6700k (+ an evo 212), MSI x99 SLI PLUS, and 32 gb of ~2400 ddr4 ram. Something like $700 for hopefully another 5+ years.
The new 950 pro ssds caught my eye too, but that's icing.

Thoughts?

Upgrade, but don't bother with SLI.

The CPU performance jump is going to be pretty good, but seeing as you're running your Sandy Bridge at 4.80GHz (wow, SB was good), the jump may not be as large as a stock vs stock comparison.

The biggest upgrade will come from moving from the Z68 platform to the Z170 platform. More USB 3.0, PCIE 3.0, m.2, SATAE, Thunderbolt 3 and etc.

Edit: as other people have pointed out, you want Skylake desktop platform, not the X99/HEDT platform.

 

[Unoid]

If you do upgrade, please run back to back benchmarks, comparing your 4.8ghz 2600k vs max stable OC of the 6700k with your 980ti.

I'm willing to bet at 1600p, there won't be much improvement except for minimums.

I'm roughly the same setup as yours and I see no good reason to upgrade until I need m.2 slots, and 3d-xpoint.

 

[MrGuru]

Upgrade, but don't bother with SLI.

The CPU performance jump is going to be pretty good, but seeing as you're running your Sandy Bridge at 4.80GHz (wow, SB was good), the jump may not be as large as a stock vs stock comparison.

The biggest upgrade will come from moving from the Z68 platform to the Z170 platform. More USB 3.0, PCIE 3.0, m.2, SATAE, Thunderbolt 3 and etc.

Edit: as other people have pointed out, you want Skylake desktop platform, not the X99/HEDT platform.

I've been running my 2x 980 Ti's for a year or so now with zero problems.

Okay, I'll pass on the 950 pro.

Yikes! RAM gets pretty pricey once you start looking past 3200 mhz!

Also, I plan to OC the 6700k to whatever I can that's stable and not using an absurdly high voltage. (Currently running 1.31v for my 4.8ghz on my 2600k - I got a great chip!)

If you do upgrade, please run back to back benchmarks, comparing your 4.8ghz 2600k vs max stable OC of the 6700k with your 980ti.

I'm willing to bet at 1600p, there won't be much improvement except for minimums.

I'm roughly the same setup as yours and I see no good reason to upgrade until I need m.2 slots, and 3d-xpoint.

You ARE running my setup, minus a slightly different motherboard. (Same voltage, too!) Hm, see, this is still the nagging thought at the back of my head - that I'll get everything going, and I'll not notice any difference. But maybe that's how it would be anyway, as nothing really taxes my PC currently. (?)

Further though, this may go back to the main reason I even started to scratch this itch in the first place: SLI benchmarks seem to actually have a significant jump with Skylake.

 

[MrGuru]

please delete

 

[Lil'John]

I recently built up a 6700k for a development machine in mini-ITX form factor.

For the motherboard, I chose the ASRock Fatal1ty Gaming Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157650

One thing pushed me toward this motherboard: m2 form factor SSD support while allowing full four SATA port use. This allowed me a fast boot/program drive while allowing a four disk RAID "backup".

For the SSD, I used SAMSUNG 950 PRO M.2 256GB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147466

For memory, I went with G.Skill because of their reputation noted above... speed was chosen high for same reason noted above. Specifically: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232091

I stuffed it all into a SilverStone Sugo Series SG05W.

No gaming on this machine. So far, I've been happy with it.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You ARE running my setup, minus a slightly different motherboard. (Same voltage, too!) Hm, see, this is still the nagging thought at the back of my head - that I'll get everything going, and I'll not notice any difference. But maybe that's how it would be anyway, as nothing really taxes my PC currently. (?)

Further though, this may go back to the main reason I even started to scratch this itch in the first place: SLI benchmarks seem to actually have a significant jump with Skylake.

I'm in the same boat you are (see rig in sig). I could probably push my 2600k a little further, but I didn't want to up the voltage more (I think I'm around 1.2 V IIRC). I've had the rig for nearly 5 years; prior to that system build, my previous refresh interval was generally around 3 years with the max being 3.5 years over the course of the prior 16 years (prior to 1995, I was on the Commodore/Amiga train and a prebuilt PC ).

As you can imagine, I'm chomping at the bit for a new system upgrade. Even at the time I went from Core2Duo to my current Sandy Bridge, I didn't really NEED the upgrade - I probably could've lasted another 1-2 years. However, I had enough credit card rewards to effectively make my upgrade "free" and it was a little over 3 years since my last upgrade, so I thought "why not." I am in a similar boat now - I have enough credit card rewards where I could almost do the upgrade for free, but I fear that I'll get all the parts, do all the work of building the system, and then experience a gigantic "MEH" when I try to compare the differences. I originally said "No upgrade until there is at least a 50% performance leap on average," but 5 years later, we're only at about 30% on average.

When I built my current rig in 2011, I projected that my next system would have 8 cores. I don't see that happening unless I get a great deal on a 5960X. I don't really have a good feel about cores vs IPC for the next 5 years either - will things stay the same, where any cores above 4 cores won't really matter for gaming and IPC will still rule, OR will 6+ cores become very important for gaming in that timescale? I keep hearing about DX12 but it still seems to be "in the future." I keep thinking maybe X99 and a 6-core is the way to go now, since I could upgrade to an 8 or 10 core CPU within the next 5 years if those cores become necessary. But then, of course, I'm sacrificing IPC and hoping that I can close the gap with a good OC.

Sigh.....yeah, I know, first-world problem.

 

[lupi]

What's the comparison between 6700k and 6800?

 

[myocardia]

...

 

[BonzaiDuck]

That's because DDR4-3200 is currently the sweet spot. It costs nearly nothing extra over the same brand and version* of the slower stuff.

* G.Skill Ripjaws V series, or Trident Z series, for instance. The more expensive series will always be more expensive, of course.

Well, if there were no game-changers for G.SKILL's performance and expectations going from DDR3 to DDR4, you should be able to buy a cheaper, slower set of the latter with the lowest latencies they offer and then overclock it. But to tell the truth, I'd rather buy just a notch below the fastest spec I'd ever want.

There's also something else. Some very good motherboards needed BIOS updates to allow for running memory above 2800Mhz. I'd think a Ripjaws V kit would have SPD for lower speeds until you made such BIOS updates, but I could imagine a lot of confusion and frustration for hot-dawgs who ordered 3000 to 3200 RAM and couldn't get it to run on such a board above the speed I cited. Some people would RMA to no better result until they flashed their BIOS, and others would write shitty customer reviews.

 

[digitaldurandal]

I am in the a similar boat. Sitting on a 2500k. Looks like maybe some games are finally starting to push the envelope a bit. Additionally I would like to spin up a VM for work and preferably be able to run multiple programs on both machines at once, often I can work from home and I do not like switching back and forth from the laptop to my computer but my work machine needs to be over VPN.

I am probably going to wait for Zen and see if it puts any pressure on Intel or makes a splash. However, if I see a really good deal on a 6700k or 6800k I will probably snatch it up.

 

[Loser Gamer]

Desktop available CPU speed has been fast enough for 5 or more years now. My AMD 960T unlocked to 6 cores does what I ask of it.
Unless you got money to burn I wouldn't upgrade yet. You have made it this long you may as well wait until 2017 to see what is released then.

 

[simas]

sitting in the same boat as you on 2600k built in early 2011 and not even overclocked yet as there was nothing that was taxing that CPU in games I play.

every few months recently was considering upgrades ( 5820 vs 6700 was my primary consideration) , just not sure any of this is 'justified'.

GPUs meanwhile upgraded multiple times in the last 4 years and likely again to the new tech once I understand what 1070 and AMD offering does vs 970 I have now.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I wouldn't know how many forum members fit my own profile. I jumped on the microcomputer bandwagon in 1983. I haven't bought an OEM computer since 1994, choosing instead to build my own. My first "laptop" fit in grandma's overnite suitcase in 1985 -- a rude Rube Goldberg construction, and my first "real" laptop was a 7-year-old C2D purchased in 2014. And since retiring many years ago, I have this itch to "keep up."

Gaming was a sort of casual interest of mine, so I lean toward simulations. My current "top-end" modestly features 2x GTX-970s in SLI -- a 2700K reservedly set at 4.7 Ghz. And these CPUs are six-year-old technology.

So I'm still driven by "The Itch" to build a new system and -- well -- "keep up." I've already been through three rounds of fantasizing about it. First, I was going to build an X79 Ivy-Bridge "E." Then I toyed with the idea of a 4790K, conflicted as I was with the thought of Haswell-E, and leaning toward a processor that uses "real" indium solder between CPU and IHS.

This time, I just may pull the trigger. But then, what do I do with the oldest Sandy Bridge? I just may sell it for a song to a friend who lives with dated technology -- and who sold me the laptop for chump-change.

And through all this, there's the theme of replacing a Windows configuration that has proven reliable and comfortably familiar. But I've settled on the i7-6700K, a particular motherboard, and a particular model of RAM. I will consult my "Quicken advisor" later this year.

 

[RobertR1]

Would love to see a 2600k at 4.8 matched up with a skylake equivalent.

I game at 1600p and with an OC'd 980ti, I'm wondering what real gaming benefits I'd have.

 

[poofyhairguy]

When I built my current rig in 2011, I projected that my next system would have 8 cores.

Me too, which is why that is still my best rig. I just don't see anything on the market that excites me, which is both good and bad (it certainly has added to my GPU budget).

I think what I am going to do is hoard a X99 board when I can get one for really cheap (clearance time), and just sit on it and some RAM until a couple years from now when the Haswell era Xeons are flooding Ebay. Seems like the best deal in CPUs for a while have been clearence Xeons, but they require mobos that aren't sold by the time those CPUs are being cleared out. I am going to try to game that system a little by hoarding the tech I need beforehand.

Unless Zen is better than I expect it to be that seems to be my only option to get an eight core machine at a price I can stomach before 2020.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Would love to see a 2600k at 4.8 matched up with a skylake equivalent.

I game at 1600p and with an OC'd 980ti, I'm wondering what real gaming benefits I'd have.

Those are two salient questions, as you imply them.

I could be absolutely correct or only mildly inaccurate: Someone around here -- and this is hearsay already coming from me -- suggested that benchmark differences between SB-K and SKYLAKE-K showed the latter with a 30% improvement over SB. So the question, since you mentioned "2600K @ 4.8," would be "How does that compare to maximum 24/7 overclocks of the two generations? And which measuring stick do you choose: an average of similar sample-sizes from each? Or a subjective judgment that you have the best of both in a single observation comparing two CPUs?

Anyway, I can think of all sorts of projects to pursue in making my SB systems even more productive and useful. And I don't like to build some new functionality to my life on a system I use for the most serious matters. Until I have the project result working on a separate system, the old system remains in commission.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Me too, which is why that is still my best rig. I just don't see anything on the market that excites me, which is both good and bad (it certainly has added to my GPU budget).

I think there is a very real possibility that we may not seeing anything "significantly" better than a 2600K for 2 or 3 more years. I doubt IPC improvements get us to a 50% improvement over a 2600K in that timeframe. Yeah, extra cores CAN help, but will software take advantage of them? So more and more, it looks like IDC was probably correct - just buy a CPU now and enjoy it for the next 5 years. In 5 years, the top CPU at the time may only be 30% ahead of the CPU you buy today so you can rinse and repeat at that time.

I think what I am going to do is hoard a X99 board when I can get one for really cheap (clearance time), and just sit on it and some RAM until a couple years from now when the Haswell era Xeons are flooding Ebay. Seems like the best deal in CPUs for a while have been clearence Xeons, but they require mobos that aren't sold by the time those CPUs are being cleared out. I am going to try to game that system a little by hoarding the tech I need beforehand.

Unless Zen is better than I expect it to be that seems to be my only option to get an eight core machine at a price I can stomach before 2020.

I have a 2P Supermicro board with two 6-core Sandy Xeons which I built in 2013. It makes me wish HEDT supported multiple sockets.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Those are two salient questions, as you imply them.

I could be absolutely correct or only mildly inaccurate: Someone around here -- and this is hearsay already coming from me -- suggested that benchmark differences between SB-K and SKYLAKE-K showed the latter with a 30% improvement over SB. So the question, since you mentioned "2600K @ 4.8," would be "How does that compare to maximum 24/7 overclocks of the two generations? And which measuring stick do you choose: an average of similar sample-sizes from each? Or a subjective judgment that you have the best of both in a single observation comparing two CPUs?

Anyway, I can think of all sorts of projects to pursue in making my SB systems even more productive and useful. And I don't like to build some new functionality to my life on a system I use for the most serious matters. Until I have the project result working on a separate system, the old system remains in commission.

I'm probably the one you saw mentioning the 30% gap. I believe benchmarks were showing 25-30% performance increase going between SB and SKL on average. There were some individual tests and applications where the gap was much larger IIRC - I'll have to review the benchmarks again to see what those specifics are.

So even if we assume the low number (25%), you're probably not going to find a 2600K which will clock high enough to outperform a 6700K with an average OC on equivalent forms of cooling. I think that is probably also generally true of SB vs. Haswell and even Broadwell. A 6800K clocked at 4.4 Ghz is going to be tough for even a stellar 2600K to outperform on average.

BTW, I'm similar to you based on your earlier post - got my first computer in 1981 as a kid and then started building my own PCs in 95, after Commodore croaked. I'm chomping at the bit to upgrade my 5 year-old rig, but I want to feel like I get good value doing it and it is hard to see value outside of the 6-core HEDTs to me personally. However, that assumes you can hit 4.4 Ghz on a 6800 or 6850 and that is a tricky proposition based on what I've seen so far.