I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to computer hardware and I'm wondering if I need to upgrade my CPU. My computer was built about 7 years ago for around $1000 and it's served me well until now. I've recently started using rendering software, which has made me hit a wall in terms of performance. I don't really play many new games, but I do use simulator games that rely more on processing speed than graphics. Should I invest in a better CPU to improve my rendering speed, or should I also be looking at other components like RAM or the GPU? Here's what I've got: Intel i3-8100 CPU, Z370-A PRO motherboard, 8GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, if you're really hitting limits with rendering, a full system refresh might be worth considering. But if you're set on upgrading, a used Intel 8700k would give you a noticeable boost. Just remember that with new CPUs, you might also need a new motherboard and more RAM to support it. Think about what's best for your overall setup.
For rendering tasks, you’re on the right track thinking about how upgraded hardware could improve your workflow. You might want to check if your software can utilize your GPU for hardware encoding; it can significantly speed up rendering times. Sometimes a simpler GPU upgrade could do the trick without needing to change other parts right away. Just make sure your power supply can handle it!
Upgrading your CPU could definitely help, but keep in mind that a faster CPU might also require a motherboard and RAM upgrade to unleash its full potential. So, if you go this route, be prepared for more expenses. You might also want to look into how often you're maxing out your RAM; if that's an issue, adding more RAM could be an easier first step. It's not just about the CPU!
Thanks for the tip! I’m considering starting with more RAM since I hit the limit often.
I didn’t know that! I mainly use CPU for rendering but I'll look into GPU options too.