Upgrading your motherboard with a CPU involves selecting compatible components and ensuring proper installation.
Upgrading your motherboard with a CPU involves selecting compatible components and ensuring proper installation.
I'm looking at an Asus Prime H310M-A with an Intel 9600. I frequently see a CPU warning at 99% in games and also in TM. I'm wondering if upgrading the motherboard or CPU would help, or if just the CPU upgrade is enough. My RAM is around 2600MHz and feels a bit slow right now. Someone could suggest a board and CPU option or just a CPU upgrade? Thanks! 
Whatever is needed, I don’t want the best but I also don’t want something cheap.
To proceed with this path, we should clarify your gaming habits, the graphics card you intend to use, the time you expect before needing a hardware upgrade, your performance expectations, and a rough budget. A budget gives us a general idea of what’s feasible, as sometimes we can skip certain components, but a jump of around $50 usually adds more value. Understanding if that extra cost is worth it helps us decide.
budget might reach 500-600$ yet I combine it with a RTX 3060, 16gb of VRAM. i usually run newer triple A games and enjoy open world multiplayer titles such as Rust and the updated Ark:Survial Evolved. i also play heavily modded games like Assetto Corsa and Minecraft, which put a strain on the CPU. adding dozens of mods really slows things down. i don’t require top-tier performance; I just want a PC that boots faster and stays stable, especially in Rust with lower settings. it still has some glitches, but that’s okay.
To fully utilize your budget, consider purchasing the 7800X3D, which offers exceptional performance for the games you mentioned. If that isn’t feasible, a 7600 system remains a solid choice.
You can find more details here:
7800X3D: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/j4HxxH
7600: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/npnLFs
I’m used to Intel but haven’t tried AMD yet—I think. I have a Corsair 4000D case and don’t really need another mini ATX board anymore. I almost forgot to mention that.
I’d change the motherboard to the B650 LiveMixer in each setup, depending on your preference for its appearance—it’s definitely a bold choice. This board offers strong value for the price, just $20 more than alternatives. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hm3vdH https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MQGs89 Regarding the Intel versus AMD discussion, both sides have advantages and disadvantages, but in most cases AMD systems are more practical. If you prefer Intel, a 12400 could be a good fit, though you’d likely need an mATX case. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/pFRqWt The reason I specifically want that board is because it’s one of the few that supports overclocking 12400s, allowing you to reach performance levels close to or surpassing the 7600 while still managing power usage and upgrade options.