Choosing the Best Gaming Rig: Intel Core i7 6700K with GTX 1060 or i5 6600K with GTX 1070

When you're building a gaming PC, the critical components to focus on are your CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The GPU often dictates the performance and can heavily influence your gaming experience. However, even with a powerful GPU, a weak CPU can lag and limit your PC's overall performance.

GPU Importance in Gaming

For gaming, the better your GPU, the better your games will run. If your CPU is not a 'potato' or an old processor (referring to underperforming models), any CPU behind the 2nd generation should be sufficient. This means if you have an i5-6600k or an i7-6700k, you're already in a strong position. At this stage, the choice often narrows to whether you need the extra power of the i7 6700k or can get by with the i5 6600k.

The i5-6600k with GTX 1070 Combination

The i5-6600k paired with the EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 SC is a solid choice. The 6600k, on its own, offers decent performance, but pushing it with a more powerful GPU like the GTX 1070 results in a significant performance boost. This combination is great for those who want smooth gaming with some headroom for future upgrades.

Going for i7-6700k with GTX 1070

However, if you stretch your budget a bit, the i7-6700k with the GTX 1070 is worth the extra 100 dollars. The i7-6700k is a step up in terms of core count and performance per thread, making it more versatile and capable of handling more demanding games and tasks.

Build Cost Efficiency

So, which should you choose?

If cost is a major concern but you can afford the i7-6700k, it's a no-brainer to save a little more and invest in the i7-6700k and GTX 1070 combination. For an affordable and quick build, the i5-6600k combines well with the GTX 1070, making it a robust setup for mainstream games.

Reflections from a Recent Build

When I built my last PC, I started with the essential components: motherboard, CPU, and RAM. I initially chose the i7-6700K, a quad-core processor with a base clock speed of 4.0GHz, and used an older graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750ti FTW) for a month. Over time, I saved up and upgraded to the more powerful GTX 1070, which was a significant performance boost.

This approach is practical for those who have an older graphics card lying around. Utilize that hardware for a while, and then upgrade your GPU to a more powerful one. This strategy helps in maximizing your budget and extending the lifespan of your system.

Example Build: i7-6700K, GTX 1070

A build like the one mentioned—Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core, Chaser MK-I ATX Full Tower with an i7-6700K, comes with pre-assembled system parts. This build also includes a solid-state drive (SSD) and mechanical hard drive (HHD), ensuring a speedy boot and ample storage. The graphics card can be upgraded later without issues.

This build is designed for those who want to overclock their system and ensure quiet operation. The GPU water cooler is strategically placed behind the case, while the CPU water cooler is positioned on top. The front of the case houses two upgraded, quieter fans that replace the default ones, achieving both performance and noise reduction.

Conclusion

Whether you choose the i5-6600k with GTX 1070 or the i7-6700k with GTX 1070 depends largely on your budget and long-term plans for the system. Both combinations offer solid performance, but the i7-6700k provides more headroom for future upgrades and more demanding tasks.

Your gaming setup should be a balance between current needs and potential future growth. The key is to prioritize the components that impact the most during your gaming sessions—your GPU.