- Joined
- Feb 22, 2009
- Messages
- 786 (0.13/day)
| Processor | Ryzen 7 5700X3D |
|---|---|
| Motherboard | Asrock B550 PG Velocita |
| Cooling | Thermalright Silver Arrow 130 |
| Memory | G.Skill 4000 MHz DDR4 32 GB |
| Video Card(s) | XFX Radeon RX 7800XT 16 GB |
| Storage | Plextor PX-512M9PEGN 512 GB |
| Display(s) | 1920x1200; 100 Hz |
| Case | Fractal Design North XL |
| Audio Device(s) | SSL2 |
| Software | Windows 10 Pro 22H2 |
| Benchmark Scores | i've got a shitload of them in 15 years of TPU membership |
Let's say you have a Core i5 2500K and an overclock-able S1155 motherboard: P67, Z68, Z75, Z77 kind. You also have a GeForce GTX680 or Radeon HD7970, but you want to play games with your brand new 120/144 Hz gaming monitor at 1920x1080 resolution getting stable 120/144 FPS . However your PC can barely push 60 FPS in demanding games at best of times. First obvious choose would be to get something like a GeForce GTX1080, but then comes the dilemma with CPU: sell the whole PC and get a new Core i7 6700K/DDR4 system or just upgrade your Core i5 2500K to Core i7 3770K? The Ivy Bridge Core i7 3770K is the best CPU you can get, and having in mind your motherboard can overclock it, would it be worth keeping it istead of buying a new Core i7 6700K system? This question has been asked many times, and there are already many answered tests to this situation, but i myself always like to test things myself, so here it goes.
TEST SETUP
Intel Core i7 6700K 4.5 GHz OC
Asus Maximus 8 Ranger
Kingston 2X8 GB DDR4 2133 MHz CL14
Evga GeForce GTX1080 SC Gaming 8 GB (1868 MHz boost clock)
Windows 10 X64
NVIDIA Forceware 384.94 (DirectX 11 used in games)
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel Core i7 3770K 4.5 GHz OC (4550 MHz in gaming)
Asus Sabbertooth Z77
Crucial Ballistix Tactical 2X8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz CL7
Evga GeForce GTX1080 SC Gaming 8 GB (1868 MHz boost clock)
Windows 7 Pro X64
NVIDIA Forceware 384.94
I overclocked both processors to 4.5 GHz, since in that way you can simulate Core i7 7700K performance, since it reaches 4.5 GHz with just turbo boost and no OC. As you can see i used "basic" frequency RAM for both processors. 1600 MHz is the common "starting" frequency of DDR3 for Core i7 3770K and 2133 MHz is the common "starting" frequency of DDR4 for Core i7 6700K. However, i do have to admit that Core i7 3770K benefits much more in this situation than Core i7 6700K, because this Crucial Ballistix Tactical 1600 MHz {7-7-7-20} DDR3 is one of the best RAM you get. I tested it versus Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 MHz {11-13-13-31} DDR3 and Crucial turned out to be the faster RAM!
If you would like to know the difference in gaming between DDR4 2133 MHz vs DDR4 3000 MHz, open this right now:
Gaming benchmarks: DDR4 2133 MHz VS DDR4 3000 MHz (Core i7 6700K)
So now that you know how much Core i7 6700K would gain by having faster RAM, let's get on with the benchmarks!
On both computers the games were tested with Fraps , using 3 or 4 same gameplay sequences, 15 seconds of benching, and averaging the result from those 3 sheets to 1 sheet. To minimize GPU load, i only did 1080P tests and no AA was used in any game. Having in mind GeForce GTX1080 has more than enough horses to pull out games at 1080P, this should ensure a fair battle between Core i7 3770K and Core i7 6700K.
LET'S BEGIN!
ASSASSIN'S CREED SYNDICATE
A surprising start for Core i7 3770K equaling Core i7 6700K. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
BATTLEFIELD 1
This is what you should expect typically. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 2-3 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 3
A win for Core i7 3770K definitely comes from great Crucial RAM latency. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 3-4 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K, thus equaling the processors. For this i ran 6 same sequences for each CPU.
DYING LIGHT
While not much of an average FPS difference, the minimal FPS definitely cementifies Core i7 6700K superiority. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
FAR CRY 4
Expected results in favor of Core i7 6700K. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
MAD MAX FURY ROAD
With so much FPS on the display the small victory for Core i7 3770K is not that important. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K, so Core i7 3770K would still top the chart.
METRO LAST LIGHT REDUX
What's up with this game liking older processors? Core i5 2500K defeated Core i5 6500 EASY in this game and here Core i7 3770K is superior to Core i7 6700K. Bizarre, i have no words to explain... 3000 MHz DDR4 would surely help in maximum FPS for Core i7 6700K, but not decisively in average or minimal...
MIDDLE EARTH SHADOW OF MORDOR
This is the only in-game benchmark used for this CPU battle. The max FPS are not important at all, since it's in the random variation of +/- 10 %. However, the minimal FPS are more less constant, thus making Core i7 6700K a no-doubt victor. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
PREY
Standard victory for Core i7 6700K. No data on 3000 MHz DDR4 performance...
PROJECT CARS
That was shocking! To add salt on the flesh, 3000 MHz DDR4 would add a staggering 20-25 FPS boost for Core i7 6700K! This has to be the most memory bandwidth dependent game i have ever seen, nevermind the latencies...
RISE OF TOMB RAIDER
Amazing stuff! This means if you can get the best RAM for your Core i7 3770K, overclock it to Core i7 6700K levels you get a computer that matches a 3 year newer computer frame to frame in games! 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 4-5 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K, thus equaling the processors.
WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT
This pretty much sums up the whole point of not upgrading your Core i7 3770K CPU and the whole system to Core i7 6700K system. This does not count if you have a piece of shit H61 motherboard. 3000 MHz DDR4 also adds no benefit in this game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note that whenever i say that DDR4 3000 MHz adds minimal FPS improvements over DDR4 2133 MHz, i am only talking about standard situations where frames are being drawn constantly. I do not conclude this statement on processing demanding scenes, in those, FPS can benefit more from higher memory bandwidth.
I will draw no performance summary this time, since the results were so random and unexpected. I knew that there will be minimal difference between Core i7 3770K and Core i7 6700K clocked at the same speed with the same amount of RAM, but i surely expected Core i7 6700K to win in every game. The fact that Core i7 3770K actually managed to beat Core i7 6700K in some games, all be it by little, was a big nice shock.
Comments are welcome as always.
TEST SETUP
Intel Core i7 6700K 4.5 GHz OC
Asus Maximus 8 Ranger
Kingston 2X8 GB DDR4 2133 MHz CL14
Evga GeForce GTX1080 SC Gaming 8 GB (1868 MHz boost clock)
Windows 10 X64
NVIDIA Forceware 384.94 (DirectX 11 used in games)
------------------------------------------------------------
Intel Core i7 3770K 4.5 GHz OC (4550 MHz in gaming)
Asus Sabbertooth Z77
Crucial Ballistix Tactical 2X8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz CL7
Evga GeForce GTX1080 SC Gaming 8 GB (1868 MHz boost clock)
Windows 7 Pro X64
NVIDIA Forceware 384.94
I overclocked both processors to 4.5 GHz, since in that way you can simulate Core i7 7700K performance, since it reaches 4.5 GHz with just turbo boost and no OC. As you can see i used "basic" frequency RAM for both processors. 1600 MHz is the common "starting" frequency of DDR3 for Core i7 3770K and 2133 MHz is the common "starting" frequency of DDR4 for Core i7 6700K. However, i do have to admit that Core i7 3770K benefits much more in this situation than Core i7 6700K, because this Crucial Ballistix Tactical 1600 MHz {7-7-7-20} DDR3 is one of the best RAM you get. I tested it versus Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400 MHz {11-13-13-31} DDR3 and Crucial turned out to be the faster RAM!
If you would like to know the difference in gaming between DDR4 2133 MHz vs DDR4 3000 MHz, open this right now:
Gaming benchmarks: DDR4 2133 MHz VS DDR4 3000 MHz (Core i7 6700K)
So now that you know how much Core i7 6700K would gain by having faster RAM, let's get on with the benchmarks!
On both computers the games were tested with Fraps , using 3 or 4 same gameplay sequences, 15 seconds of benching, and averaging the result from those 3 sheets to 1 sheet. To minimize GPU load, i only did 1080P tests and no AA was used in any game. Having in mind GeForce GTX1080 has more than enough horses to pull out games at 1080P, this should ensure a fair battle between Core i7 3770K and Core i7 6700K.
LET'S BEGIN!
ASSASSIN'S CREED SYNDICATE
A surprising start for Core i7 3770K equaling Core i7 6700K. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
BATTLEFIELD 1
This is what you should expect typically. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 2-3 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 3
A win for Core i7 3770K definitely comes from great Crucial RAM latency. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 3-4 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K, thus equaling the processors. For this i ran 6 same sequences for each CPU.
DYING LIGHT
While not much of an average FPS difference, the minimal FPS definitely cementifies Core i7 6700K superiority. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
FAR CRY 4
Expected results in favor of Core i7 6700K. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
MAD MAX FURY ROAD
With so much FPS on the display the small victory for Core i7 3770K is not that important. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K, so Core i7 3770K would still top the chart.
METRO LAST LIGHT REDUX
What's up with this game liking older processors? Core i5 2500K defeated Core i5 6500 EASY in this game and here Core i7 3770K is superior to Core i7 6700K. Bizarre, i have no words to explain... 3000 MHz DDR4 would surely help in maximum FPS for Core i7 6700K, but not decisively in average or minimal...
MIDDLE EARTH SHADOW OF MORDOR
This is the only in-game benchmark used for this CPU battle. The max FPS are not important at all, since it's in the random variation of +/- 10 %. However, the minimal FPS are more less constant, thus making Core i7 6700K a no-doubt victor. 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 1-2 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K.
PREY
Standard victory for Core i7 6700K. No data on 3000 MHz DDR4 performance...
PROJECT CARS
That was shocking! To add salt on the flesh, 3000 MHz DDR4 would add a staggering 20-25 FPS boost for Core i7 6700K! This has to be the most memory bandwidth dependent game i have ever seen, nevermind the latencies...
RISE OF TOMB RAIDER
Amazing stuff! This means if you can get the best RAM for your Core i7 3770K, overclock it to Core i7 6700K levels you get a computer that matches a 3 year newer computer frame to frame in games! 3000 MHz DDR4 would add 4-5 additional FPS for Core i7 6700K, thus equaling the processors.
WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT
This pretty much sums up the whole point of not upgrading your Core i7 3770K CPU and the whole system to Core i7 6700K system. This does not count if you have a piece of shit H61 motherboard. 3000 MHz DDR4 also adds no benefit in this game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note that whenever i say that DDR4 3000 MHz adds minimal FPS improvements over DDR4 2133 MHz, i am only talking about standard situations where frames are being drawn constantly. I do not conclude this statement on processing demanding scenes, in those, FPS can benefit more from higher memory bandwidth.
I will draw no performance summary this time, since the results were so random and unexpected. I knew that there will be minimal difference between Core i7 3770K and Core i7 6700K clocked at the same speed with the same amount of RAM, but i surely expected Core i7 6700K to win in every game. The fact that Core i7 3770K actually managed to beat Core i7 6700K in some games, all be it by little, was a big nice shock.
Comments are welcome as always.
Last edited:
I got last month will make any difference from my DZ68 
