CPU, motherboard and RAM pairing
CPU, motherboard and RAM pairing
So now I have the funds needed for a CPU, motherboard, and RAM upgrade. Presently I’m using an i5 3550 clocked at 4GHz on a Gigabyte Z77X-D3H and Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) at 1866MHz, paired with my new 2080 AORUS. I could upgrade to a 10700K paired with a Gigabyte Z490 Vision G (the top choice for my region among available options) and Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) at 3600MHz. These three parts would cost around $777 (excluding tax), whereas the same set would be about $910 (including tax). Would you think it’s a good investment?
For gaming, my current setup with the i5 3550 and 2080 really performs well across most titles at high or ultra settings in 1080p (100+ FPS). Given it’s a 4-core/4-thread CPU, it handles demanding games smoothly. In editing, the i5 struggles slightly, especially with complex effects, but basic videos run at 1080p 60fps is manageable.
If you’re focused on video production, I’d say it’s worth considering. As for upgrades, my GTX 650 had issues exporting 1080p at 60fps—laggy and unplayable. With the new 2080 it still supports the i5 well, though I’m not sure about advanced projects. My H100X cooler should work fine, and my Antec High Current Gamer Gold 850W should cover the load. The only downside is that my current case (Cooler Master 690 II Advanced) might need a switch to a Corsair 540 Airflow, which I’m not sure I’ll do right now.
Intel offers solid options for upgrading. If you have the funds and need a fresh CPU soon, it’s worth considering. If patience is an option, newer performance improvements are just around the horizon. The Ryzen 4000 line (Zen 3) currently outperforms most Intel offerings, though it won’t be available for several months.
That's actually why I decided to wait. I noticed they pushed back the timeline, so it would be around September to October. Since I'm heading off to the army in eight months, I won't be home, and the PC might only be used for browsing or maybe my little brother will play a bit. I'm not sure because I'm giving him my current setup. If I wait until September-October, it would make more sense, otherwise I'd rather wait until after finishing my service.