Is Upgrading From i7 4790K to i7 8700K or 9700K Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide
Upgrading your CPU from an i7 4790K to an i7 8700K or 9700K can significantly enhance your computing performance. However, the decision to upgrade depends on several factors, including your current system configuration, the type of tasks you perform, and the potential improvements you can achieve. This guide will help you understand whether the upgrade is worth the investment and what to consider.
Understanding the Upgrade
The transition from an i7 4790K to i7 8700K or 9700K involves a substantial change in architecture. The i7 4790K belongs to the fourth-generation Core series, while the 8700K and 9700K belong to the sixth and eighth generations, respectively. Here are the key differences:
Core Count and Threads: The 8700K offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the 9700K brings 6 cores and 12 threads. The 4790K has 4 cores and 8 threads.Base and Boost Frequencies: The 8700K has a base frequency of 3.7 GHz and a boost frequency up to 4.7 GHz, while the 9700K offers a base of 3.6 GHz and a peak of 4.9 GHz. The 4790K has a base frequency of 3.4 GHz and a boost of up to 4.0 GHz.L3 Cache: The 8700K and 9700K both have a larger L3 cache of 12 MB, while the 4790K has only 8 MB.AE7 Graphics: The 8700K and 9700K come with an integrated graphics card, which the 4790K lacks.Performance Benchmarks
Upgrading to an i7 8700K or 9700K can offer substantial performance gains, particularly in tasks that require multi-threading, such as gaming, recording, streaming, and any Adobe suite operations. If your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz) does not match the higher frame rate requirement of modern games, you will likely encounter a bottleneck elsewhere in your system, such as your GPU.
144 FPS on a 144Hz Monitor: In most cases, if you are aiming for 144 FPS on a 144Hz monitor, a GPU upgrade might be necessary, as the CPU alone may not be sufficient to maintain the desired frame rate.
Workstation Tasks: For professional tasks like recording, streaming, rendering, and Adobe suite operations, the i7 8700K or 9700K will perform much better due to their higher core and thread counts and larger cache capacity.
Overclocking Considerations
If you decide to upgrade, it's essential to consider the prospect of overclocking your new CPU. Overclocking can further boost performance, but it requires a good cooling solution to prevent overheating. Ensure your existing cooler is sufficient, or consider upgrading to a high-performance model.
Core vs. Core – What’s the Difference?
The difference between an 8-core and 4-core CPU, especially when paired with Windows Insider Pro, can significantly improve your system's stability and performance. The 8700K and 9700K offer more cores, which can handle a wider range of tasks simultaneously without significant performance loss. Windows Insider Pro allows you to test new features and updates without corporate restrictions, providing a more flexible and future-proof environment.
Task Stability: Nowadays, it's uncommon to encounter crashes due to untested software or new OS features. If you frequently need to rebuild your system, upgrading to a more powerful CPU and adding more RAM (minimum of 32GB) can prevent such issues.
When Not to Upgrade
Consider sticking with your existing i7 4790K if your current system is sufficient and you simply need to install updates to enhance performance. Upgrading primarily makes sense if your system is struggling with heavy software applications or if your job relies on the latest technologies like 3D rendering, video editing, or complex data analysis. In such cases, a hardware upgrade is justified to keep up with the demand of modern software.
Conclusion
Upgrading from an i7 4790K to an i7 8700K or 9700K can greatly enhance your computing experience, especially in scenarios where multi-threading is critical. Whether it's gaming, professional software, or workstation tasks, the new CPUs offer significant advantages. However, the decision to upgrade should be based on your specific needs and system configuration. Overclocking, however, can be a double-edged sword and should be approached with careful consideration and adequate cooling solutions.