Would this be a suitable improvement option?
Would this be a suitable improvement option?
My Gtx 980 Ti, Asus Maximus VIII Hero and i7 6700K have served me well for many years but I might be getting some money in the coming months so I can finally upgrade, but I'm not entirely sure what to upgrade to or if what I'm planning to buy is a good idea.
For the motherboard I'm currently looking at an MSI Z790 Gaming Plus motherboard or a MSI PRO B760-P DDR4 II motherboard so I don't have to change my RAM; I don't know if buying new DDR5 RAM would be worth it. I currently have 4x8gb Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 MHz RAM.
For the CPU I'm looking at the i7-12700KF and for the GPU I'm looking at an RTX 4060 Ti, since they just seem like straight-up upgrades but I've also heard there's been some controversy about 4060 Ti's in the past.
I'm going to keep all my old drives but I'm on the fence about getting a new CPU cooler; I have either a Noctua NH-D14 or NH-D15 (I can't remember), and don't know if upgrading is worth it. I'm also not really sure what CPU case to get but I might go with the Antec VSK-4000B-U3/U2 ATX Case because it has some 5.25 inch front trays that I could use for some of my old stuff. Either way I desperately need something to replace my very, very old Zalman case.
I also have a NZXT C650 650W PSU and don't know if I need to upgrade.
So would the purchases I have in mind be worth it? Do you have any other suggestions? Please let me know.
It doesn't matter which one you choose, both options work well. You can obtain a free LGA-1700 adapter from Noctua, and if you want to cut costs, the i5-12600KF is a good choice.
If funds arrive in the upcoming months, next-generation AMD and potentially Intel might be available by then. I wouldn’t consider purchasing a 4060ti at that time. AMD currently offers superior options for the price.
The 4060 Ti is a solid GPU, though it was originally equipped with just 8GB of RAM. You won't find a 16GB model, but the price for one jumps by $60 compared to the base version ($430 versus $370). For basic 1080p gaming, 8GB should suffice, but it will soon become an issue at 1440p or higher. If you're spending over $460, you can upgrade to a 16GB RX 7800XT which offers a 40% boost in rasterization performance and a 5% improvement in RT gaming at 1440p. In my opinion, the 7800XT is a better choice than the 4060 Ti with a 16GB version.
4060Ti offers too much for its price point. It’s not fundamentally flawed, but it lacks the performance boost you’d expect. The extra 16GB memory isn’t worth the additional $100, and the device doesn’t handle high resolutions well—beyond 1080p it struggles significantly. The 4060Ti isn’t particularly fast enough for demanding gaming or rendering tasks.
For a mid-range option, the RTX 4070 Super is my go-to Nvidia graphics card. AMD provides better value in terms of price. You’ll find the 4060Ti outperformed by more affordable models like the RX6800 or the 7700XT.
The 7800XT is also a strong contender, often beating the RTX 4070 in performance. The 12700KF is a solid choice at around $173, offering extra power for just over $30 more than the base model. A DDR4 4000 kit was a cheaper alternative I owned last year.
A new power supply is recommended; it will degrade over time and can’t handle the increased load you’re planning. For power needs, a 650W unit would suffice for the 4060Ti. A 750W setup seems more appropriate if you need extra capacity. If you require 5 1/4" bays, the Phanteks Enthoo series is a reliable choice.
This article discusses Intel's planning for the P-core-only Bartlett LGA1700 processor in 2025.
LGA 1700 socket today offers:
12th gen supports 8P cores plus up to 8 e cores (16 threads)
13th gen extends to 8P cores with up to 16 e cores (24 threads), matching the 12900k in e-core count
14th gen provides 8P cores and up to 16 e cores (24 threads), with the 14700k featuring 12 e cores
New CPU lines are being introduced for LGA1700 without E cores, supporting 8P, 10P, or 12P cores for 16, 20, or 24 threads.
For gamers, the e-core is minimal but effective for heavy multithreaded work. If the 8P i5 is affordable, it should surpass the 12700k easily with its 8P and 4e cores, offering a solid upgrade without needing a new motherboard.