Is Upgrading to an i7-4790K Worth It for My Setup?

If you're considering the i7-4790K, just know it typically goes for around $60-80 used, but the performance boost is hardly worth it—maybe a few extra FPS at best. For a noticeable performance increase, look into something like the new Ryzen 5 7600X with a new motherboard and 16GB RAM for about $250, or an i7-12700K setup for $300.

I faced the same decision before—"Should I spend $80 on a 4790K for a minor boost, or save for something better?" I chose to wait for a motherboard, CPU, and RAM bundle to go on sale. I ended up getting a great deal on a Ryzen 5800X with 32GB of RAM! The difference from my old setup was huge. I know budgets can be tight, but staying patient might lead to a much better setup for you.

The performance gap won't really be noticeable in newer games or applications. If you're planning to upgrade your entire rig in the near future, every dollar counts, so maybe hold off on that upgrade. If you just want a PC that works well enough, then go for what fits your budget right now.

Honestly, upgrading to the i7-4790K might not be the best move. Your H81 motherboard has pretty poor VRM quality, which could cause the 4790K to throttle under heavy use. Plus, even if it performed well, it wouldn't hold up against modern CPUs. I'd suggest saving your money for a full platform upgrade instead, like grabbing a used Ryzen 5 3600 and a B450 motherboard.

Why not go for it? 😉 Seriously though, think about what you really want from your upgrade. If it's just a slight bump, consider saving up more for a bigger upgrade instead.