Hey everyone! I'm considering an upgrade since my old AM4 setup has finally given out after six long years. I found a deal on Facebook Marketplace for a brand new, unopened Intel 14600K along with a used Gigabyte Z790 Elite AX motherboard for $270. I'm aware there's been some debate about going Intel versus sticking with AM5 but I'm curious about the longevity of this combo. Do you think that in 4-5 years this setup will still hold up for both gaming and work? Also, will AM5 still be relevant by then? I have a few other components like an 850W gold PSU and an RTX 2060, and I'm planning to grab 32GB of DDR5 RAM. I'm also considering a cooler for this CPU—would the one I'm looking at be sufficient?
5 Answers
I'd advise against buying the i5 14600K without a warranty, even if it's new. Sellers might sell it under price without a box because they got it on sale for cheap. It feels risky when it lacks that warranty cover, especially if something goes wrong later.
Are you concerned about the overvoltage issues? I thought that mainly affected the higher-end i7 and i9 processors.
If you're set on the 14600K, I think it’ll last about 4-5 years for your gaming needs. I've been using mine for months with no issues, but definitely check for BIOS updates to avoid any potential problems. If you can get it cheap, it's still a solid choice for a gaming rig.
Thanks! Updating the BIOS sounds like a must. Any tips on how to do that?
For sure, if you look up 'BIOS update guide' on YouTube, they make it look pretty straightforward!
I don't think that's a great deal. You could find equivalent parts for AM5 with better hardware usually. Why settle for less when you could opt for something more current?
Honestly, I’m not impressed with that deal. You can get a new 14600K for around $170 at Microcenter and a newer motherboard for about $100. Plus, it often comes with free games! It might be worth comparing the costs before diving into used parts.
True, but does a more expensive motherboard really matter? What do you think about that?
That's a solid point about the motherboard deals!
I'm a bit wary of Intel lately. I've had a 13700K, and while it worked great at first, it started freezing unexpectedly—not fun at all! I've switched to AMD as a result. But I guess if you're looking at the future, think about how long that 14600K might really last you down the line.
Do you see AMD being the better choice for the next five years?
Yeah, I've heard about Intel reliability issues recently. Makes me nervous, honestly.
Just to clarify, is it really not advisable to buy a 14600K if new ones are being sold for $150? Aren't those deals just as good?