Retro review: Core i7 2600K Tested in 2018 - Time to upgrade?

Discussion in 'Frontpage news' started by Hilbert Hagedoorn, Mar 22, 2018.

  1. Hilbert Hagedoorn

    Hilbert Hagedoorn Don Vito Corleone Staff Member

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    lmimmfn, Loobyluggs, jura11 and 4 others like this.
  2. fantaskarsef

    fantaskarsef Ancient Guru

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    Great review Boss.
     
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  3. eddieveenstra

    eddieveenstra Active Member

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    Nice Review Hilbert.

    I'm still running the 2500K and at 4.7GHz not having issues at all. Offcourse some games do stutter sometime but nothing big. Good to see this chip is a great oldie that can still come along in games.
     
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  4. Cave Waverider

    Cave Waverider Ancient Guru

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    Nice. I'd love to see one of those with the Core i7 3930K or 3960X Sandy Bridge E (including 4-4.5GHz overclock) as well. I somehow doubt it's worth an upgrade right now, especially when taking the high prices into account.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2018

  5. Endymion

    Endymion Member Guru

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    Does there really exist people that use 2600k at stock clocks? What's the point of review? Let's make strawpoll and ask 2600k owners at what clocks do they use this CPU. I think 90% of users would use it under OC conditions.

    And where is more processor oriented games like BF1 etc. ?
    MAX and LOW FPS? ..
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2018
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  6. burebista

    burebista Ancient Guru

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    Thx man.

    I'm still fine with my 2500k @4.5 and a 1060. :)
     
  7. ocsystem

    ocsystem Master Guru

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    running 3930k @4.5. not even thinking to upgrade. this is strong beast for gaming and other tasks. and I still can't believe the price in 2011 vs 2018.
     
  8. Clawedge

    Clawedge Guest

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    one of the simple reasons thises chips oc so well is cos of the solder, therefore better cooling.

    Good ol days

    now we have to deal with the piegon poop turd BA&#$^$*! F&*# NEECH!!!
     
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  9. darrensimmons

    darrensimmons Ancient Guru

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    Great article. I still use a 3770k @4.7 and a 1080ti. This allows me to game at high res using dsr so my gpu is usually the bottleneck. The only title I play when I feel the need for a better cpu is ac origins. Certain places in that game struggles to hold 60fps but then again, this is at ultra settings. I think for me, the fact remains that a £1000 upgrade is still just not worth it. Perhaps if I had a weaker gpu and played at 1080 then it may be worth it. The amount of times I have nearly bit the bullet and upgraded is crazy but at my gaming resolutions, the extra 3-8 fps surely isn't worth it is it especially when we are talking like 110 fps when it could be 116fps with 8700k?
     
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  10. Solfaur

    Solfaur Ancient Guru

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    For 1440p and above it's still more than enough for most games (with exception the ones that use more CPU power/cores like BF1 for example). Legendary CPU really. :eek:
     

  11. RealNC

    RealNC Ancient Guru

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    To me, and you're not mentioning this at all it seems, it looks like there's no difference at all in QHD (1440p). So if you're on Sandy Bridge and are split between getting a new GPU + a completely new system, vs getting a new GPU + a 1440p g-sync monitor, you're probably well advised to get a GPU and 1440p monitor.

    If, on the other hand, you're all about 1080p or lower + highest FPS you can get ("300FPS competitive stuff",) you should opt for new platform instead.

    (Of course if you have loads of money to throw, you'll upgrade everything... :p)
     
  12. cryohellinc

    cryohellinc Ancient Guru

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    Mega Guide:
    Do you have 1080p screen or 1440p/4k?

    1080p - Yes, worth an upgrade.
    1440p/4k - No, keep using it as GPU is the bottleneck.
     
  13. moeppel

    moeppel Guest

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    In a nutshell this is true but bear in mind that general computing tasks (and particularly multitasking) will likely also feel lot better with a modern CPU and platform overall. With next generation of GPUs, whenever it'll come, the 2600K might even starts falling behind in WQHD/UHD.

    Those on a budget can certainly drive their Sandy and Ivy for a little bit longer but they are at the verge of falling helplessly behind - if not this year then I suspect 2019 to be year in which an era comes to an end. They've had fantastic run, which last but not least is also thanks to Intel's overall stagnation until AMD threw Ryzen our ways.
     
  14. fOrTy_7

    fOrTy_7 Guest

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    Kinda nice review, but I would say that providing only avarage FPS stats for game benchmarks is so retro these days. :D

    Where are the minimal FPS stats? %1 and 0.1% FPS drops?
     
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  15. Ourasi

    Ourasi Guest

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    2600K overclocked to ~ 4.5ghz with 16gb 2133mhz RAM turns into a whole other story, running it at stock with 1333mhz RAM is kinda "what is wrong with this picture" stuff, but hey, some grandma might run it at stock as an "interweb thingy" :p
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2018
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  16. rl66

    rl66 Ancient Guru

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    When you see that 1st child still use an old core2 Q9550 OC with a 1060 and R6 siege put everything at max by default at 1440... then of course you are still fine with your 2500K :)
     
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  17. alanm

    alanm Ancient Guru

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    Stock 2600k @ 3.4ghz. Add 30-40% to the benches since these chips can easily OC to that.
     
  18. Raider0001

    Raider0001 Master Guru

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    Well You all bought in your overclocking capabilities which has nothing to do with the cleverness of the old days of overclocking - it was all done with a lot of risk but not paid.

    What it means basically U did not OCed at all, it was bought in speed.
     
  19. rl66

    rl66 Ancient Guru

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    Non OC intel 2*00 are not as weak as you think...
     
  20. Embra

    Embra Ancient Guru

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    Great review HH!! Thanks.
     

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