Consider your current performance needs and the capabilities of your system before deciding.
Consider your current performance needs and the capabilities of your system before deciding.
You're wondering if it's worth upgrading your i5-8400 to a newer processor, especially since it runs alongside a GTX 2070 Super. It could help reduce bottlenecks and boost performance for games and demanding tasks. CPU recommendations are always useful—feel free to ask!
P.S. I'm still learning about PCs, so please let me know if I've misunderstood anything. Thanks!
You're in an unusual situation. You seem unfamiliar with buying used chips, especially Intel, and might be limited by high costs unless you upgrade to a different model like a 3600x or 3700x.
Consider a full system built around an i7 9700. Switching to Ryzen could offer improved performance.
It’s not possible to simply swap your board without making changes. A direct swap won’t work because the ASRock Z390 Pro4 isn’t compatible with an i7-9700 processor. You’d need to replace the board or use a compatible one.
You might consider going up to a 9700, though it’s discarding performance.
Let's examine this from a cost-benefit angle:
1. You can install a 9700k and boost it for roughly $370. It’s an 8-core, 8-thread processor—super solid for gaming in 2020.
2. Switching to AMD brings you a Ryzen 3600 for about $175. Swapping your motherboard and swapping in a good b450 board like the ASRock B450 Pro4 could actually give you a profit. It’s not as fast as the 9700k, but it’s better than the 8400.
3. A Ryzen 3700x is available for $300. While not as impressive as the 3600, it offers 8 cores and double the threads for $70 less than the 9700k. Still, gaming performance remains inferior to the 9700k.
4. If you need a higher-end chip, a 9900k is possible—just be prepared to cut your budget. Also, avoid Intel chips unless they have a K at the end; otherwise, save up for something cheaper. Overclocking usually adds a bit more speed without breaking the bank. Overall, expect to spend around $370 to upgrade to a 9700k and only about $175 (after selling your board) to get a Ryzen 3600.