I'm considering upgrading my CPU from an i7-8700 to an Intel 9900K, but I've gotten mixed feedback. My current build includes an Nvidia 3070 RTX GPU, a Z390-A Pro motherboard, 64GB of DDR4 RAM, and a solid cooling system. One shop employee said the 9th gen CPUs are bad and recommended getting a whole new PC instead, while another said I could make the upgrade with my current setup. I'm looking to maximize my gaming performance and video editing capabilities without having to invest in a completely new system right now. Can anyone weigh in on whether the 9900K is a good upgrade for $400, or should I save that money for something else?
2 Answers
You can definitely install a 9900K into your setup without issues, but honestly, for $400, it’s not the best idea. You might find it easier to get a second-hand chip for around $100 instead. The 9900K is pretty dated at this point—think about investing that money into a better motherboard-CPU combo instead, which you could find for a similar price.
For sure! The extra cash could go a long way towards something more modern that won’t hold you back.
The Z390 chipset will work with the 9900K, but I've seen issues with stability—especially with used chips. Consider this: instead of sinking money into the old setup, you could keep a decent portion of your budget for a better board and a liquid cooler. You could look at newer chips that outperform the 9900K significantly, and they might fit your needs better for the long haul.
Thanks for the suggestion! I really want to ensure my games play smoothly without hiccups while I save for a new build.
Definitely! Investing in newer tech will keep your gaming and editing smooth for the next few years.
Totally agree! I ran a 9900K for a while and it was solid but if you're gonna spend $400, you could do much better without the hassle of the older technology.