Evaluating the upgrade from i5-6500 to i7-7700K – cost versus benefit.
Evaluating the upgrade from i5-6500 to i7-7700K – cost versus benefit.
Hello everyone, I'm exploring streaming on my older PC with these specifications: a H170M processor, i5-6500 CPU, stock Intel fan, RTX1070 GPU, 16GB RAM (brand uncertain), and a high CPU usage around 100%. I'm facing problems when switching scenes in OBS and using Discord simultaneously. I'm considering upgrading to an i7-7700K temporarily until September, aiming for a new PC with a GTX 40 series card. I found a used CPU listing for about SGD200, roughly five years old. Since I've only worked with basic PC changes before—like RAM or a network card—I'd really appreciate any guidance.
If you get one for $50 US (~SGD75), definitely upgrade it. Hyperthreading will significantly boost performance. Going beyond that won’t help much; selling your current CPU and motherboard for an i3 12100F and a cheaper B660 board would be smarter.
I recently upgraded my friend's old bulldozer—previously a cheap AMD pre-Zen machine—to a 10th generation Intel processor. It was quite budget-friendly, especially since you already had some RAM available. Given your existing DDR4 setup, CPU, and affordable motherboard, it seems likely you could get a better deal than buying a 7700K second-hand. I spent just over $200 on an Intel Core i3-10100, which is a quad-core chip with hyper-threading and a multi-core support. I’m not always up to date on hardware specs, but I think this chip should handle or even surpass a 7700K given the limitations of your motherboard. If you find a good deal on a 7700K CPU that fits your board, go for it. I’ve seen second-hand 7700Ks priced unrealistically high, so a CPU upgrade could be worthwhile—just make sure your RAM is compatible with whatever platform you choose.
Consider upgrading to a newer Intel CPU like the 11th or 12th generation for better value compared to Ryzen options. You'll need a compatible motherboard, such as one supporting an i3 12th gen processor with a budget-friendly Z690 or B660 slot. Don't forget to replace the existing GPU as the H170 isn't compatible with newer chips.
I'm delaying a New MoBo purchase since I've saved for a 12th Gen i9 but am holding off until the GTX40s drop. I'm seeking a temporary upgrade for OBS and streaming Assets. Regarding the 7700K, I want to confirm compatibility with my current build and whether upgrading the CPU could reduce the frequent 100% processor usage in Task Managers.
You're asking about a used i7 7700 priced around $150. It's similar to a new i5 11400f, which is about 150% of the 7700's price. You could sell your CPU and motherboard, then buy a new i5 and motherboard instead. The 7700 is essentially a 6700 with HyperThreading, offering only about 20% performance boost for apps that support it. It doesn't seem worth the investment.