I'm looking to upgrade my computer to match my new RTX 3060 Ti GPU. Could anyone suggest the best CPU and potentially a motherboard to go with it? I'm not super savvy on this topic, so any recommendations would be really helpful!
3 Answers
Pretty much any CPU that's not from over a decade ago will support the 3060 Ti just fine. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, the i5-12400F is solid for just over $100. For a more lasting option, the Ryzen 5 9600X at about $175 is a good pick. Just make sure you get a motherboard that’s compatible with whichever CPU you choose!
If you want the best performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D could be a top choice, but honestly, you might not need such a high-end CPU. It really depends on your budget. For a solid option without breaking the bank, the Intel Core i5-12400F is great and has a good upgrade path. The Ryzen 5 7600X or Intel i5-9600X are also really decent choices if you want something a bit less expensive.
For a great pairing, check out this setup: Intel Core i5-13400F (about $120) and the ASRock B760 Pro RS/D4 motherboard (around $110). Total cost would be about $230. For a bit more performance, consider the i5-14600K (around $164) with a good motherboard like the Gigabyte Z790 S WIFI, totaling around $299. It’s a bit more overkill but offers excellent value!
How do I determine which motherboard to choose if I go with the 9600X? Thanks for your input!