No idea which CPU to buy
No idea which CPU to buy
I notice your PC isn’t running smoothly in certain games lately. You’re thinking about upgrading your CPU this Christmas. Right now you have an i5-4670k, and it seems like other components aren’t limiting performance. It feels like the last time you built your system was a few years ago, when the CPU was brand new. Over the past years you’ve stopped keeping up with tech details, so I’m not sure what’s really needed. You mainly use your PC for gaming, not for heavy tasks like editing or programming. I don’t know which upgrade would help or if it’s worth spending extra money. Your current setup includes a 32GB RAM, 650W PSU, and you’re playing games at 1440p with 144Hz. You’re considering the i5-9600k versus the i5-10600k, and the i7-9700k is only slightly more expensive. Is an i7 still a good choice if it’s your last purchase? Will it really make a difference in gaming performance? If you need guidance, just let me know where to start.
The 10600K stands out among the three for gaming performance, yet the top choice for a fully dedicated gaming setup today is the Ryzen 5 5600X, offering a significant advantage over the others.
upgrading your CPU requires replacing your motherboard and RAM too, since your existing board only supports 4000 and 5000 series chips and DDR3. Based on your budget, you have several choices ranging from top-tier to more affordable options. Best picks include the Ryzen 5 5600X with a B550 board and 16GB RAM for about £500, or the Intel i5-10600K on a Z490 board with similar specs. More budget-friendly options are the Ryzen 5 3600 paired with a B550/450 board and 16GB RAM around £350, or the Intel i5-10400 with a B460 board and 16GB RAM near £300. If you're on a tighter budget, performance drops noticeably, making each upgrade less impactful.
I can pause purchasing the chip until conditions improve. Current stock levels aren’t ideal, and pricing feels inconsistent. The upcoming Intel 11th generation desktop chips are arriving soon. What’s the price range for CPUs similar to the 5600X in today’s market?
The 9700K behaves almost like the 10600K, offering the same benefits as the 10th generation by providing a newer motherboard and more upgrade options. The 9600K matches the 9700K or 10600K in single-threaded tasks but has just six cores without hyperthreading, which isn't crucial for gaming yet matters for other uses.
Update on the situation: AMD has shifted away from being the budget choice. Their Ryzen 5000 processors now lead in the chip market. With the launch of 9th generation Intel products, Intel unveiled the Core i9 lineup. The i9-9900K features eight cores and sixteen threads, while the i9-10900K offers ten cores and twenty threads. Intel's 11th generation "Rocket Lake" chips won't easily surpass AMD, as the upcoming Core i9-11900K will have eight cores and sixteen threads. The top-tier Core i7 is now just second best, comparable to a high-end Core i5.
What to consider: Avoid making upgrades at this moment. New RTX 3000 and Radeon RX 6000 graphics cards are nearly sold out everywhere, and eBay is full of overpriced outdated models. Consider waiting until spring 2021 or later.
You're wondering if switching your motherboard would affect your RAM compatibility, especially since DDR3 is being phased out. It seems you might be worried about fitting your existing DDR3 sticks into the new board. I understand your concern about budgeting and the confusion around AMD chips—some people still have mixed feelings. Regarding Intel's changes, yes, they've expanded their ranges, so an i5 might not match the performance of newer models like the i7. As for AMD, you're right to question it, but there are plenty of options to compare. Stocking up on parts can be tricky right now due to low inventory. Gaming has been a distant memory for most of us lately, but you're back in the loop and noticing your PC feels sluggish. You're thinking about upgrading to something better, possibly moving away from a GPU since your GTX 1080 still works well. If you decide to go CPU-only, you might explore Ryzen options—though finding a good Ryzen 5 5600x or even a Ryzen 5000 series is proving difficult. You could check reviews for the 3600 and 3500 models to see if they suit your needs.