I found a deal on the i5-14600K for $179.99 at Microcenter, and I'm planning to upgrade my PC soon. My budget's tight, but I'm considering spending more for the 9800X3D since it's priced around $475. I mainly game and currently have a Ryzen 7 1700X. What do you all think? Is the 9800X3D worth the extra cost?
4 Answers
Price is definitely a consideration. The 9800X3D is considered one of the best gaming CPUs right now, but it comes at a hefty price. The 14600K at $179.99 is a good deal, but you might want to check out the AMD 9600X for $169.99 at Microcenter. Also, be aware that the Intel 1300 and 1400 series have some voltage issues, so make sure to update the BIOS on your motherboard—it can help prevent degradation. Personally, I'd steer clear of those and go for AMD; they’re often cheaper and perform well. Plus, the AM5 socket keeps your options open for future upgrades.
If you're on a budget, consider the Ryzen 5 9600X for around $200. It’s a solid choice for gaming, especially at 1440p and above. Plus, you could always upgrade to an X3D CPU later on without breaking the bank. And they have bundles with the 7600X3D that might be worth checking out too!
It really depends on your GPU choice. If you're aiming for something like a 9070 XT or the new 5080/5090, then the 9800X3D could be a good fit. But if you're going for a lower-end GPU like the 9060 XT, it's smarter to save money and grab something cheaper like the 7600. Use those savings to invest in a better GPU instead.
That totally makes sense. I haven't upgraded in 8 years, and while I’m trying to stay on a budget, I'm tempted to go for something that’ll last. I’m still running an ancient 1080 Ti and thinking about getting a 5080 if I can find it at retail.
If it's just between those two, I’d personally take the 14600K with a better GPU over the 9800X3D with a weaker one. The 9800X3D is definitely faster, but you really need to game at lower settings or have a high-end GPU to see much of a difference. I personally have a 9800X3D and a 12600KF, and running a 9070XT, I notice they perform similarly at 1440p unless a game is super CPU heavy.
I plan on gaming at 1440p 165Hz for now and eventually upgrade to a 4K monitor down the line, so I want something that can handle 1440p at high framerates. My plan is to pair it with either a 5070 Ti or the 5080 later on.
Between the 9600X and the 7600X3D, which would you say is better? Another commenter said I should consider the 7600X3D.