Top choice to boost single-core speed on a 5930k processor
Top choice to boost single-core speed on a 5930k processor
You're looking for a balance between performance and cost, especially for older hardware. Consider focusing on games that benefit from single-core optimization without requiring expensive upgrades. Look into budget-friendly options like retro titles or modern games designed for efficiency. This way, you can enjoy good single-core performance without overspending.
The most affordable yet powerful single-core result comes from an overclocked 8350k. A 9600k offers slightly better performance since it adds two cores, while a 9700k follows with another two cores. The best balance is a 3700x, as it doesn’t lag much compared to the others in peak single-core speed but provides more value overall.
Wouldn't it help if the memory was quicker? I think my budget is about 700 at most, mateyy.
Additionally, ensure you have the simplest route available for future upgrades.
I was also thinking about 8700k, though all the suggestions are great @Mister Woof @Mateyyy
PCPartPicker Part List Type Item Price CPU AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor $309.97 @ Amazon Motherboard Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard $164.99 @ B&H Memory G.Skill Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory $84.99 @ Amazon Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts Total $559.95 Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-02-09 10:33 EST-0500 The 9700K would arguably be better as it's soldered and 8C/8T > 6C/12T imo. If you want to go with Intel, I would suggest waiting for their 10th gen chips to launch, which should be fairly soon I reckon. If the leaks match up, they look like better offerings for the price, compared to current-gen Coffee Lake.
Honestly, here’s what I’d do: first, boost the CPU if possible. The 5th gen HEDT chips work well for high refresh gaming. Next, upgrade to faster RAM—you’ll need it for Ryzen performance, so check out the memory kit you planned and see if it really helps. If that doesn’t improve things, consider switching to a Ryzen processor.
I tested it at 4.3 and 1.3v but it struggles with really heavy single-threaded games. My RAM is 2133 and it was when DDR4 first launched, which might be a problem. Usually my CPU works fine, but it gets slow when I need a lot of single-core power—especially with servers and mod packs. Even with an 2080Ti XC Hybrid, lag shows up during VR sessions. I’m not picky; I’ve used ASUS mobos and Intel models. If it can handle VRChat or similar unoptimized games, I’d want more cores without hurting single-core speed too much. @Mateyyy
Older 5th generation CPUs perform well at 1.3 volts, have you experimented with increasing voltage? VR runs smoothly on comparable setups I've used, but those systems had quicker RAM, so more memory might boost performance even further. For the best upgrade on a premium build, consider a Ryzen 5 3600 paired with an Asus TUF X570 motherboard.