Power Consumption and Temperatures
Power Consumption
During idle conditions, the i7-7700K consumes around 60-watts which demonstrate its efficient nature rather well. Overclocking the CPU doesn’t have a massive impact on the power draw and keeps the product within respectable levels. When you compare clock for clock, the i7-7700K uses less power than the i7-6700K. However, the results seem skewed by the contrasting frequencies. Under load, the i7-7700K hovers around the 165-watt mark which is a decent number given the 4.5GHz Turbo. Overclocking the CPU to 5.1GHz results in a power consumption around 182-watts which isn’t a huge increase over the i7-6700K running at 4.8GHz.
Temperatures
The i7-7700K’s thermal output is greater than its predecessor due to the higher Turbo frequency. Saying that, the temperatures only increase at a leisurely pace and remain under 70C. Please note, there doesn’t appear to be any kind of improvements to the thermal interface material which is a major disappointment. As previously mentioned, overclocking the CPU to 5.1GHz requires a hefty voltage increase and should only be attempted on high-end cooling hardware. Even then, I wouldn’t advise using such a large amount of voltage for 24/7 usage. While the CPU was stable at 5.1GHz, the temperatures are perilously close to the thermal limit.
Whats frequency of iGpu? Is possible to overclock?
Ps
Very good review!
Hi, thank you so much. I wasn’t able to overclock the iGPU, but I’ll note down the frequency in the next day or so when I do some additional testing.
Great review man.. So 7700K is just a higher clocked 6700K? My current Z170 mobo is dead and i’m considering to upgrade to Kaby Lake.. but seeing this review hold me back. Slightly off topic, but can i use my 6700K with Z270 motherboard? Just curious.. otherwise i’ll buy another Z170.. Thanks
If you want a future proof build then buy a Z270… pure logic here, it will support intel Xpoint Optane SSDs and dimms.
Hum, google it, it takes 5 seconds, it will be released after the CES 2017 the 5th of January, in fact some online retailers already got the Z270 mobos and 7700Ks ready ^^
Thank you 😀 Yep, no real improvements outside of a frequency boost. The 6700K and 7700K both use the same LGA1151 socket so you’ll have no issues doing that!
One of the best conclusions i have seen lately,
unbiased, to the point, and balanced.
Kudos!!!
Thank you 😀
You should think about delidding this supernova, it’s reported you can get 30 degree reductions in temperature. Looks like Intel wanted to limit overclocking thermally again.
http://wccftech.com/intel-core-i7-7700k-delid-performance-tests/
Thank you very much for this. Interesting how the 7700k outperforms a 6700k OC’d 4.8ghz on Ashes of the Singularity. Can you please test Starcraft 2? That game is CPU limited and really shows the strength of a CPU (may it be architecture or IPC or speeds) and I’m really interested how the 7700k perform against the 6700k in that game clock for clock. Thank you.
“AMD’s Zen architecture is just around the corner and looks promising” Are you kidding me? What the hell does AMD have to do with this? You are referring to a product that is not available, and will be a first iteration of a new technology that will need weeks (if not months) of vetting before I will risk my hard earned dollars. For All practical purposes, AMD is dead until it can PROVE it has a product that I should take a look at. Until then….I am completely ignoring them.
“What the hell does AMD have to do with this”, really? They are Intel’s direct competitor, their zen processors do actually look promising and they’ll be coming out shortly. How much vetting do processors need according to you? It’s not like AMD is unexperienced in terms of making processors, it’s just a (very) new architecture. It is completely logical to suggest waiting to see what AMD does before making a purchasing decision.
It has a lot to do with this, because IF the Zen single core performance is within 10-15% of the current Intel offerings, there is virtually no reason to get an Intel CPU, and it becomes well worth getting a much cheaper 4C/8T Zen or a 6 or 8 core version of the Zen for the same price and have those extra cores in case you need them.
For gaming, 6 and 8 core CPU’s add a high cost but essentially no value performance wise. Oh, ok… Ashes of the Singularity shows a little bit of performance increase but it costs a lot to build the system. IMO, it isn’t worth purchasing a 6 or 8 core Intel System at this time for gaming.
Here is the point:
If Zen is close to Core i7 7700k, then why wouldn’t I get the 8 core Zen that could be priced the same as the 7700k, AND add the extra cores “for free”?
Or, if I don’t need 6 or 8 cores, why not get the 4C/8T i7 version of the Zen for a most likely much cheaper price?
It really depends on how good Zen is as to whether these Intel prices are worth it or not.
You’re making a huge presumption that pricing will be low, It’s much more likely that pricing will not be far off Broadwell e pricing, AMD are repeatedly referring to there 8 core alongside the Broadwell 6 core so I’m expecting similar pricing but we’ll see.
I’m a big Intel fan but their insistence to put progress into neutral as often as they can get away with is just crazy. The 7700k could have easily had far more tangible improvements but because the market wasn’t forcing them to compete they just don’t bother. Intel has provided AMD with a generous opportunity here with Zen. I hope rigorous competition gets the innovation train back on the track.
As a Haswell user, I will not have to upgrade my CPU for the next 3 years. Intel is so lazy now. Now AMD has an opportunity to strike back with Zen. I can definitely give a try for a Zen 6 core CPU if it matches with a 6700K. I bet those performance gains are mainly due to clock speed jump, but no IPC improvement. The biggest advantage here is overclocking head room and the new media engine which will useful for multimedia users. BTW, is 5GHZ sustainable for daily using, I mean with a good liquid cooler?
Nice Review !
I’m also on Haswell. I didn’t think I was going to be able to hold onto the same CPU for so long, but I am also planning on holding out for a long time.
Looks like Intel has lost its way… /:
does HD630 support HDMI 2.0?
No. What a disappointment.
Core i5 2500k here (OC’ed to 4.5Ghz).
Debating whether to go for a 7700k or possibly even a Zen, though I use my PC for gaming, so I don’t think Zen gives me anything special, probably detracts since it is rumored to be slower single core.