Your setup might face performance limits depending on the workload.
Your setup might face performance limits depending on the workload.
Would the i7-3770K work well? You saw it listed on eBay for about $40 CAD.
Four core and eight threads look like a solid value for the cost.
Various boards work with different CPUs... some motherboards can't run top-tier chips like K-variants unless the 3770k is included. Check the documentation for your board vendor, such as a list of supported chips and BIOS versions. Visit the manufacturer's site for your specific model and download the newest BIOS to install before adding the new chip, so you prevent any compatibility problems.
It’ll be a close match and the game will be tight. I went with a 3770k paired with a 1080, and it handled all the games smoothly—keeping cores busy. It ran at 4.5 and could handle top RAM speeds without issues. It worked well for BF games, BF4, and Hardline, but not much else.
An Ivy Bridge processor can limit performance in certain titles. I used a 4C/8T Xeon E3-1231v3, essentially an i7-4790 without extra speed and without a GPU, which caused significant slowdowns in Elden Ring. The 1660 Super paired with it was quite demanding. Similar GPUs are often found in games like RDR2 where I maintained around 60 FPS with recommended settings. However, Rockstar’s recent optimizations have improved performance considerably since GTA V. An overclocked 3770k will yield mixed results depending on the game. Titles that heavily tax the CPU, such as Cyberpunk or Elden Ring, may struggle, while those less demanding will perform better now. In the near future, upgrading to a modern i5/Ryzen5 class CPU could be worthwhile, especially since AAA games are increasingly targeting CPUs similar to those in the PS5 and Xbox Series.