10900k valuation in 2021
10900k valuation in 2021
I assembled my X299 setup using a 9800X, which was brand new and priced the same as my 9800X at Micro Center ($600). The price reductions aren't sufficient yet, but the 9900K signals the close of options for Z390 boards, meaning limited upgrade potential there.
all the updates up to the 11th generation, except for single-core results, seem underwhelming. Even the gaming scores look off—if there are real issues, a tuned Zen 3 could outperform them. Wait for proper benchmarks or consider the 10th generation or Zen 3, you probably aren't missing much.
The key is upgrading the motherboard if you plan to upgrade the CPU. The 9900K and i7-10700K are essentially the same chip, offering a very fast 8-core processor that should handle modern games smoothly without needing a new board. I also want to mention that 3200MHz is still decent for Ryzen, though 3600MHz is ideal. The difference between dual and single rank matters more than the exact MHz value, especially since it only affects a few percentage points depending on the game. Dual rank can really boost performance if your CPU is the limiting factor, and having two 8GB sticks can make a noticeable difference. This applies not just to Ryzen but also to Intel, where performance improves in dual rank mode. Overall, if you're looking for the best value, sticking with the 9900K is likely the smarter choice.