Which Intel CPU for gaming?
Which Intel CPU for gaming?
I build my own data, which isn't completely balanced. The i9s lack their power limits, while the i7s get 5GHz overclocks. In that company, the 5800x doesn't really shine unless I'm playing Total War: Warhammer 2. It performs well in that game.
With current GPUs, PCIe 4 becomes more relevant as we move toward better performance chips. However, you might be correct that even the 5000-series cards could restrict new GPUs, no matter how PCIE4 improves or single-thread speed increases. I haven’t seen any case where my 5.1GHz 10900k struggled, though I only have a 3080. It looks like others are still enjoying strong results with the 10900K, outperforming the 11900k and even the 5800x.
With the switch to Intel, if you're aiming for around 10.9 GHz and 10 cores while being budget-friendly, the 10850K is a solid choice. It offers a 100 MHz reduction compared to the 10900K, but it still delivers acceptable performance in everyday tasks and games. You'll save roughly $80 to $100. It's best to opt for this model or hold off until the 12th generation, accepting a 3600 clock speed until then. The 11th gen Intel chips don't seem worth the investment right now.
This decision feels tricky for me. My i9 10900k runs on a Z490 board. I didn’t intend to buy a 3080, but an auto notification popped up, so I went ahead. It’s just 10 frames quicker than my 2080, but they’ve always been pushed to higher speeds and the 3080 isn’t. I’m thinking about building another one, but it’ll depend on what’s in stock by the end of the year.