Upgrade Your PC with the Intel i7-10700KA: A Surprising Value

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Impulsive Purchases: The Weakest Time for Human Decision-making
3. The Story Behind the 10700KA
4. Upgrading the Home PC: The Intel i7-10700KA
5. The Impact of the Mining Craze on CPU Prices
6. Why Invest in an Older Generation CPU?
7. Comparing the Intel i7-10700KA to the i7-9700K
8. Benefits of Upgrading to the i7-10700KA for Video Editing
9. Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
10. Gaming Performance Comparison: i7-10700KA vs i7-9700K
11. Conclusion

Article:

Introduction

Welcome to my Channel! I'm Huan, and today I want to share an interesting story with you. It all started when I made an impulsive purchase late at night. I accidentally ordered the Intel i7-10700KA, also known as the Marvel-themed version of the i7-10700K. This led me to explore the possibilities of upgrading my home PC. In this article, I will discuss the reasons behind my purchase, the impact of the mining craze on CPU prices, and the benefits of the i7-10700KA for video editing and gaming. So, let's dive in!

Impulsive Purchases: The Weakest Time for Human Decision-making

Have you ever wondered why we often make irrational decisions late at night? It turns out that during this time, our brain waves are at their weakest, leading to impulsive choices. Just like my accidental purchase of the i7-10700KA, it wasn't because I lacked financial consciousness or was greedy. It was simply a human behavioral flaw that compelled me to make that decision. Despite the regret of spending the money, I decided to turn it into an opportunity and create this video to share my experience. Sometimes it's better to embrace our mistakes and learn from them.

The Story Behind the 10700KA

Let's talk about the Intel i7-10700KA and the story behind it. As Mentioned earlier, the "A" in 10700KA signifies the Marvel-themed collaboration version, but in reality, it is the same as the 10700K. The processor I received was brand new and unopened, sourced directly from a reputable dealer. I managed to purchase it for around $8000, which is a relatively low price compared to the current market price of the i7-10700K. The prices of CPUs, including high-end models like the i9 series, have been fluctuating due to various factors like the mining craze. Intel CPUs, despite their recent underperformance, have maintained their value and are not as prone to price drops. This stability in pricing has been evident in recent trends, with even the legendary i7-7700K being sold at incredibly high prices. However, the market has witnessed a shift with the release of new CPUs, resulting in price drops and availability of newer CPUs at lower prices.

Upgrading the Home PC: The Intel i7-10700KA

Now let's focus on the main purpose of my purchase - upgrading my home PC. Currently, my main PC is stationed at my Studio, while my home PC serves primarily for entertainment purposes. However, there are times when I bring my work home and continue where I left off. My current home PC is equipped with an Intel i7-9700K processor, 16GB of RAM, and a GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. Since my main PC runs on an AMD platform, I decided to go with Intel for my home PC to experience both platforms. In terms of performance, my current setup is sufficient for most tasks, but I occasionally face performance limitations when it comes to video editing. The lack of Hyper-threading in the i7-9700K affects multitasking performance, and prolonged editing Sessions tend to slow down the system. This is where the i7-10700KA comes into play. With the addition of hyper-threading, it provides a significant improvement in smoothness and efficiency during video editing tasks. Upgrading to the i7-10700KA is not only an opportunity to address the instability issues in my current PC but also a chance to boost productivity.

The Impact of the Mining Craze on CPU Prices

Before we delve into the benefits of the i7-10700KA, let's discuss the impact of the mining craze on CPU prices. It might raise a question as to how mining, predominantly associated with graphics cards, affects CPU prices. Although there's no direct correlation between the two, it's the sales strategies employed by retailers that connect them. Due to the high demand for graphics cards and their limited availability, many retailers have implemented bundle sales, meaning that graphics cards will only be sold when bundled with a complete PC purchase. This approach not only prevents individual sales of graphics cards but also increases the sales of other components. While this strategy may seem like a smart business move, it has inadvertently led to a surplus of other PC components such as motherboards, processors, SSDs, and RAM. The increased availability of these components has resulted in a drop in their prices. As a result, I noticed the i7-10700K being sold at a significantly lower price compared to its original retail value.

Why Invest in an Older Generation CPU?

Considering the current market situation, investing in an older generation CPU might seem counterintuitive. However, there are valid reasons to consider it. Firstly, older generation CPUs like the i7-10700K still offer excellent performance, especially for gaming and video editing. Not everyone requires the latest and most powerful components to achieve smooth gameplay or high frame rates. For those seeking a balance between affordability and performance, previous generation CPUs provide a worthy alternative. Additionally, there is an opportunity to make substantial savings by purchasing components at lower prices. The availability of used motherboards and CPUs, along with attractive offers for older CPUs, make it an intriguing option for budget-conscious individuals. So, if you're not fixated on having the latest hardware and cutting-edge performance, investing in an older generation CPU can be a smart choice.

Comparing the Intel i7-10700KA to the i7-9700K

Let's compare the Intel i7-10700KA to my previous processor, the i7-9700K. Both processors have 8 cores, but the addition of hyper-threading in the i7-10700KA provides a substantial boost in multi-core performance. In my tests using CINEBENCH R20, the i7-10700KA showed an improvement of 29.1% in multi-core performance compared to the i7-9700K. This significant increase in performance justifies the decision to upgrade. However, both processors performed similarly in single-core tasks, with scores hovering around 500 points. In terms of specifications, the i7-10700KA is comparable to the i9-9900K, with similar performance levels. The upgrade to the i7-10700KA ensures smoother video editing experiences by reducing CPU load during tasks like timeline switching. Additionally, it improves rendering times, as demonstrated in my output tests with Adobe Premiere. The i7-10700KA outperformed the i7-9700K, finishing the export 7 seconds quicker. This improvement was achieved while utilizing only 50% of the CPU's capacity, leaving ample resources for multitasking.

Benefits of Upgrading to the i7-10700KA for Video Editing

Video editing requires significant computational power, especially when working with high-resolution footage and complex effects. The i7-10700KA offers noteworthy benefits in this aspect. The reduced CPU load during editing tasks and quicker rendering times enhance productivity and efficiency. With the i7-10700KA, I experienced smoother real-time previews, allowing me to edit at the original resolution without compromising performance. This improved workflow ensures a more enjoyable and streamlined video editing process. Whether you're a professional editor or an enthusiast, the added power and efficiency of the i7-10700KA can make a noticeable difference in your editing experience.

Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation

One important aspect to consider when upgrading to a new CPU is power consumption and heat dissipation. Based on my observations during the CINEBENCH R20 tests, the i7-9700K had a power Package of over 170W, resulting in temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Celsius. However, the i7-10700KA exhibited lower power consumption, with the package staying around 150W. It's important to note that these power numbers can vary based on the specific CPU and motherboard combinations. Although the i7-10700KA runs cooler than the i7-9700K, it still pushes the limits of my entry-level air cooler. Extreme stress tests like AIDA64's FPU can cause temperatures to exceed 100 degrees Celsius. However, under normal usage scenarios such as video editing or gaming, the temperatures remain within acceptable limits, eliminating the need for thermal throttling. For those planning to overclock their i7-10700KA, investing in a more advanced cooling solution is recommended to ensure optimal performance and temperature control.

Gaming Performance Comparison: i7-10700KA vs i7-9700K

Gaming performance is a crucial factor when considering an upgrade. The i7-9700K already offers excellent gaming performance, and the i7-10700KA does not exhibit notable improvements in this area. With my current setup, featuring a GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, both processors achieved impressive frame rates in popular games like Monster Hunter: World and Battlefield V. At 1080p resolution with medium settings, both processors maintained stable frame rates above 100fps. It's worth mentioning that for gaming purposes, the i7-9700K is already more than capable. To witness a more significant difference, an upgrade to a higher-tier graphics card, such as an RTX 3070 or above, would be necessary. In conclusion, if gaming is the primary focus, upgrading from the i7-9700K to the i7-10700KA might not provide substantial benefits unless paired with a more powerful GPU.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the upgrade to the Intel i7-10700KA has been a worthwhile investment for my personal video editing needs. Although my home PC was primarily intended for entertainment purposes, my professional work inevitably influenced its utilization. The affordable price of around $8000 made it an attractive option with its impressive video editing performance. Despite the criticisms surrounding Intel's 14nm process and their recent underwhelming releases, the i7-10700KA's high frequencies and strong single-core performance still offer competitive value when priced attractively. While Recording this video, I coincidentally witnessed the launch of the 11th generation processors, which made me appreciate my decision even more. The pricing and performance of the latest processors have disappointed many consumers, potentially driving up the prices of the 10th generation processors. This raises questions about Intel's pricing strategies, whether it's intentional or an attempt to maintain the appeal of the 10th generation CPUs until the release of the 12th generation. In the current market circumstances, it might seem like an unfavorable time to build a PC due to the scarcity of graphics cards. However, if one looks beyond the graphics card shortage, it becomes evident that components other than GPUs are now more affordable. Unless you specifically require the latest hardware and cutting-edge performance, investing in older generation CPUs and components can offer significant cost savings. This is the perfect opportunity to build a PC with attractive price-to-performance ratios. So, if you're considering an upgrade, take a closer look at the previous generation CPUs and components available in the market. You might be surprised by the value they offer. Thank you for joining me on this journey of upgrading my home PC. I hope you found this article informative, and feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

Highlights:

• Intel i7-10700KA: An accidental purchase with surprising value
• The impact of the mining craze on CPU prices and component availability
• Benefits of upgrading to the i7-10700KA for video editing and gaming
• Comparing the i7-10700KA to the i7-9700K: performance differences and improvements
• Power consumption and heat dissipation considerations
• Gaming performance of the i7-10700KA and i7-9700K with a GTX 1660 Ti graphics card
• Investing in older generation CPUs: cost savings and performance balance
• Tips for building a PC in the current market situation

FAQ:

Q1: Is the i7-10700KA better than the i9 series processors? A1: The i7-10700KA offers similar performance to the i9 series processors, making it a great alternative with cost savings.

Q2: How does the i7-10700KA compare to the Ryzen processors? A2: The article primarily focuses on Intel processors, but it's worth mentioning that the Ryzen processors, especially the third-generation Ryzen CPUs, offer excellent price-to-performance ratios.

Q3: Are older generation CPUs still Relevant for gaming? A3: Yes, older generation CPUs like the i7-10700KA and i7-9700K can handle gaming tasks efficiently, especially when paired with a capable graphics card.

Q4: Can I overclock the i7-10700KA? A4: Yes, the i7-10700KA can be overclocked, but it's important to ensure proper cooling to maintain optimal performance and temperature control.

Q5: How can I build a PC with the current scarcity of graphics cards? A5: While graphics cards may be scarce, other components like CPUs, motherboards, and RAM are more readily available and often at lower prices. Consider building a PC with older generation CPUs and gradually acquiring a graphics card when they become more accessible.