I5-7600K vs I7-7700T
Intel's 7th generation CPU has some overlap between their CPU families. One such overlap is the I5- 7600K and the I7-7700T. Why would anyone pay more the the I7-7700T over the I5-7600K? There are some differences in specs and performance but it it enough to justify the price difference? In this blog, we will go through some of these difference. Whether or not the differences justifies the price difference, depends on the user.
When it comes to specifications, the I7-7700T has the upper hand on some and loses ground on others. In terms of clock speed, the I7-7700T comes in at 3.8Ghz, the I5-7600K comes in slightly higher at 4.2GHz. The I7-7700T has the clear advantage when it comes to hyper threading since the I5-7600K doesn't have hyper threading. The I7-7700T also has an edge when it comes to cache weighing in with 8MB cache as opposed to 6MB cache for the I5-7700K. Another difference is that the I5-7600K is not clock locked but whether this is a benefit depends on the user. Other than that, the other specs are the same such as the GPU specs and architecture.
The CPU specs are fine and dandy but performance is where it matters. When it comes to performance, both CPUS have no clear advantage. In PassMark scores that measures the performance of the CPU using multiple threads, the I7-7700K comes in just ahead of the I5-7600K at 9198 verses 9129. When it comes to Passmark scores that measures the performance of the CPU using a single thread, the I5-7700K comes ahead at 2,384 verses 2,028. When it comes to 3D work, the Cinebench R11.5 benchmark, which is based on the Cinema 4D Suite and tests the CPU internal graphic unit to execute OpenGL commands, the I7-7700K comes out slightly ahead at 42.6 verses 38.1. These results are consistent to their respective specs since the I5 lacks hyper threading and the I7 has a lower clock speed.
In terms of price, there is also a draw. The I5-7600K costs less than the I7-7700T but the I5 draws more power and may need more cooling. The I5-7600K goes for $299 while the i7-7700T goes for $349. In terms of power draw, the I5 consumes 91W of power while the I7 uses almost two thirds less at 35W. Depending on your system configuration, that may require an upgrade in fans and / or power supply requirements.
The difference between the I7-7700T and the I5-7600K are minor and will depend on how you will be using your computer. In terms of productivity, which doesn't require multiple threads, the I5 gets the edge. In terms of raw power, firing on all cores for 3D rendering and gaming, the I7 gets the edge. Others still would be willing to pay the extra $50 just to have the I7 badge as opposed to the I5 badge alone.