Consider enhancing your i5-4690K for better performance.
Consider enhancing your i5-4690K for better performance.
Hello, your setup is working but it’s showing signs of strain under heavy workloads. Since you’re looking for a balance between performance and cost, consider upgrading to a CPU that offers better multi-threading and higher base speeds without breaking the bank. A mid-range option like an Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 7 5700X would provide noticeable improvements over your current configuration while staying within a reasonable budget.
The changes would involve more significant variations beyond a small 5% improvement.
Discussing the workloads, the 4690K seems more suitable compared to the 3600 in many scenarios. While the difference might be subtle in older games with limited threads, the 3600 offers more cores and threads, leading to better performance. It also runs at higher clock speeds by default and includes more cache. Streaming with the 3600 would likely outperform an i5 significantly, especially given modern AAA titles that need multiple threads for optimal operation. The extra 8GB of RAM doesn’t compensate for the CPU limitations.
Thanks for the update. It's been a while since I've worked with PCs—about five years now. I'm a bit lagging behind, but glad you clarified. I'm considering adding more RAM first and keeping an eye on the 4000 series Ryzen when they come out.
Don't stress too much. Based on your budget, it might be better to switch platforms rather than invest more into your Z87/Z97 setup now (though DDR3 is still reasonably affordable used). For instance, you could find options under $300 like the CPU AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 12nm, 3.2 GHz, 6 cores for $101 on Amazon; the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 board for $114.99 at Best Buy; and memory from G.Skill Ripjaws V Series priced around $60.99. All prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts. Total comes to about $276.98, generated by PCPartPicker on June 16, 2020.
When the motherboard shortage ends and more choices appear, consider grabbing a B450 Mortar Max or B450-A Pro Max from MSI. These models offer similar specs except for features like RGB lighting that are often unnecessary. The 1600AF provides a solid single-core boost over the 4690K, though it still boasts a much higher thread count—useful for streaming compared to the i5. Also, MSI’s B450 boards are confirmed to support Zen 3, so once they launch, you could likely add a Ryzen 4600 (or its equivalent) with just a BIOS update.