I got 3 questions about the i5 processor for a desktop I'll be building:
1) I was told an i5 6600K isn't needed for gaming since its for overclocking. And that instead I get an i5 6500. Is this true?
2) Does overclocking prolong the life of a computer so you don't have to spend extra on upgrading on buying another processor?
3) Is it true you dont need a cooler for the i5 6500 since its not used for overclocking?
A1. Either CPU should work, don't necessarily have to Overclock a CPU. It's just that some are better for overclocking than others and the motherboard also has to support it.
A2. No. In fact, if one overclocks too much it may burn the CPU up and possible destroy the motherboard.
A3. I started building computers in a shop back in late '94 and the need for CPU cooling began with the 80486 CPUs and has been needed ever since. It takes electricity to run things and that produces heat, have to get rid of it some way. I have just been given an 80386-40MHz computer and it has no CPU cooler.
Overclockers - The Performance Computing Community
For strictly gaming the overclocking probably will help but a lot depends upon the game itself and the video card/adapter plus the amount of RAM all play a part in the satisfactory performance of the computer. I've always held the belief that Dell's purchase of Alienware was to gain a performance line of computers without having to mess with their proven consumer and business lines.
Some 80386 computers had active cooling. There was a time when the 40 Mhz 386 had been announced but was not yet available. To get a jump on the competition one manufacturer decided not to wait and overclocked a 33 MHz 386 to 40 Mhz. To achieve this active cooling was needed. Prior to this the normal case cooling was adequate to keep the CPU temperature under control. But with higher CPU manufacturing density and higher clock speeds this was no longer possible. The manufacturer was quite open about the overclocking.
From the 80486 on active cooling has been necessary. Any modern CPU will shut down quite quickly if operated without proper cooling.
The primary factor in gaming performance is the video system, not the CPU. Overclocking the CPU won't do much for frame rates. Some gamers do overclock the CPU but this is more for bragging rights than anything else.
Actually it depends on the game. Some are more CPU intensive than others. Anyhow, with a new i5, they would be able to handle those kinds of games easily.
Examples of CPU-bound games:
- Civilization V
- Minecraft
- Assassin's Creed: Black Flag
- Planetside 2
- Counter Strike: Global Operations
- Dungeons of Dredmor
- Total War: Rome II
Last edited by vgchat; 19 Apr 2016 at 17:19. Reason: Linking to source.
vgchat, are you saying that a system with an i5 6500 (3.2Ghz), 8GB ram and Nvida 970 would struggle playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Counte Strike Global?
The above specs are what my desktop will have. That said, I plan to play GTAV, The Division, Battlefield, etc. In my case, do you recommend I buy the i5 6500 which is non-overclockable?
Last edited by ruzzi; 19 Apr 2016 at 20:43.
With those specs I don't think it would struggle with either game... I could be wrong, I don't those titles you listed except for GTA 5. I think a 6500 would do fine but if you want that extra oomph, go ahead and get a 6600K. Don't go without a cooler if you're mostly going to be gaming. They can help extend the life of it by keeping it crisp & cool.
I would reccommend you look around the steam forums and have a look through threads claiming to have trouble with the game and look up your games on pcgamingwiki.
pcgamingwiki talking about Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag said:
You do need a cooler since the 6600K doesn't come with one from Intel. There are lots of nice ones available.
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