Intel’s well-known tick tock cycle has been working quite well for them over the years. Every tick brings with it a reduced CPU die size, while the tock signifies a boost in performance. The current Broadwell range sits firmly on the tick – delivering some extremely power efficient performance on a smaller die. It also means the recently revealed desktop variations are nothing to get excited about.
Intel launched Broadwell chips exclusively for mobile devices earlier this year, but the jump to desktop has finally been revealed at Computex. Two unlocked CPUs (now with the suffix of “C” instead of “K”) will be hitting markets in the next month or so, in two different flavours. The i5 series will be getting the i5-5675C, while the i7 series will say hello to i7-5775C.
Here’s the problem though: Both chips come clocked at much lower speeds than the Haswell ones they’re meant to replace. The i5-5675C comes in at 3.1GHz, while the i5-4690k opens up at 3.5GHz. Similarly, the i7-5775C starts things off at 3.3GHz, with the i7-4790k showing it up with 4GHz out the box. Sure the unlocked multipliers leave room for overclocking, but with such disparity from the beginning it’s hard to imagine the Broadwell getting anywhere close to better.
It’s because they weren’t designed for that, which is why Intel is already prepping Skylake to launch in a few months. It’ll fall on the tock cycle, meaning the performance boost you’d expect from the new die size will only really be realised then. Not only that, but it’s launching with the new Intel 100 socket, as well as DDR4 support. If you’re looking to the horizon, waiting for Skylake is easily your best bet.
And if you absolutely have to upgrade today, Devil’s Canyon still seems like the best bet. Broadwell is out in a few weeks, but for a predictably cheaper rice you could get better performance today. I’m not sure who Intel is aiming at with these chips – but you certainly shouldn’t fall for it.
Last Updated: June 3, 2015
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:06
Waiting for Skylake it is then.
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:07
Wait a few years. Have you seen what (unnecessary) DDR4 costs?
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:08
I have not, but you have my attention.
Not that I actually need an upgrade, so yea, will probably go with that “wait a few years”.
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:15
I wanted to upgrade for W3, but seeing as it’s running quite nicely on what I have now I’ll wait happily until the end of the year. PC just needs to play along with me – it gave me a nasty scare on Mon when it didn’t want to POST.
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:15
That’s because a mailbox is for post, not a computer. Did they teach you nothing at school? O_o
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:17
Erm, I was trying to send an email & my case wouldn’t fit into the slot on the mailbox. It’s not my fault they make them so small!
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:21
That’s what… he said? O_o
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 3, 2015 at 14:22
I also have those compatibility issues…
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:19
W3 runs surprisingly beautiful on my system as well. Most of the parts are only three years old now, so that probably explains why. 🙂
I ran a defrag and a about every function available on Advanced System care this morning. My computer has been starting up a bit slow lately and I’m worrying that it’s actually the HDD. It is nearing five or six years of age now after all.
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:24
Mine’s just over 4 now. There was a slight bit of give when I checked the seating of the gfx card, but I’m guessing the cloud of dust that escaped when I took off the side panel might have had something to do with it.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:25
That reminds me. I need to open mine up and see how that mouse nest is doing.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 3, 2015 at 14:26
I also had a scare the other day, one of my HDDs made that wonderful tick….tick…tick… noise, I nearly pooped myself, opened the case, dusted everything off and saw that one of the SATA cables wasn’t seated properly, refitted it and (ra)Viola!
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:32
My first thought was, “But I haven’t backed up my W3 saves!”
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:34
I actually have after my little scare 🙂
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:38
I’m usually quite good with that, just hadn’t backed up game saves in about 3 weeks.
Pro-tip: GameSave Manager is very handy.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:39
*makes note
Thanks
Cuan Lohrentz
June 4, 2015 at 08:20
Ya…my i7 920 (from Jan 2009…) needs an upgrade now. This damn thing won’t overclock nearly to the degree people are getting online 🙁
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:11
“but for a predictably cheaper rice”
Been dealing with too many Asians lately, have you?
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 3, 2015 at 14:20
I had to read that line about four times to realise he made a spelling mistake… I need sleep…
Danie
June 3, 2015 at 14:17
glad to see the devils canyon i74790k I bought is still top of the range XD
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:21
Getting an i7 like that if it’s mostly for gaming is a bit like getting a Ferrari to commute with. There is no game that’s going to need more than that i5.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:26
Ignoring the obvious reason if you’re buying because you want the pc to keep up for quite a few years ahead.
RinceTheElfRoot
June 3, 2015 at 14:28
Stop talking to yourself, you’re starting to sound like Trevor!
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:29
He wishes!
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2015 at 14:53
And what’s wrong with having intelligent conversation? ;P
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 3, 2015 at 14:29
I was going for the future proofing option, naturally, I can now watch a movie, play a game, type a document, email friends and update my Facetube status, all at the same time, from different devices….
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:30
I am quite guilty of watching movies/series while playing strategy games. Don’t judge me. 😉
RinceTheElfRoot
June 3, 2015 at 14:22
So, a bit of a … TICK TOCK going on there?
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:22
Like this?
FoxOneZA
June 3, 2015 at 14:29
I’m glad that Lazygamer has evolved into a Gaming site that caters for both console and PC. Saves me from hopping around international sites like a one-stop shop 🙂
Ranting Raptor
June 3, 2015 at 14:38
Really excited to see what Skylake brings performance wise
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:39
Is that because “Skylake” has 7 letters in it?
Ranting Raptor
June 3, 2015 at 14:39
Why would you do that to me? 🙁
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:43
Because it’s the 7th generation of Intel ‘Core’ processors to have quad cores?
Edit, and the first was released just on 7 years ago. XD
Ranting Raptor
June 3, 2015 at 14:52
STAHP
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:40
XD
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 3, 2015 at 14:46
*yawns*
Pariah
June 3, 2015 at 14:47
http://gilowveld.sites.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2014/07/cof.jpg
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 3, 2015 at 14:50
yummmm
ElimiNathan
June 3, 2015 at 15:54
Cheaper rice
Wesley Fick
June 3, 2015 at 17:39
Heh, people are already writing off Broadwell? Wow. Okay.