We start off with the CPU-Z benchmark showing my 4.9Ghz OC: https://valid.x86.fr/ajl9ww
There are many articles about the three processors in the subject line. My own conclusion is anything above the i7 8700K is not worth the price or the heat produced by them. The i7 8700K can be overclocked to 4.9Ghz with a Noctua D15 Air Tower. Does anyone really need 5 to 5.1Ghz? No, they don't. Until something is strikingly different from the i7 8700K, I will most likely stick with this processor for several more years.
Water cooling is nice but in all my experiences with both Air Cooler Towers and Closed Loop Water Coolers in 15 years, I must admit the Noctua D15 is the best cooler (with the right thermal paste) over all other coolers I have purchased or tried in the past.
Keep in mind that the i7 8700K, i7 9700K and the i9 9900K all need the Z300 series Intel motherboards. My favorite being ASUS motherboards. In particular, the ASUS Strix Z370-e Gaming motherboard. Not nearly the most expensive but in terms of addressing what most gamers need the most, it's a winner for me.
Referencing one of my favorite CPU information sites:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/In ... 3335vs3098
Posted for your edification.
