Hey everyone! I've been using my PC for the past five years, mainly for gaming and programming. Recently, I've noticed my CPU getting maxed out, especially when I'm also doing some 3D modeling with Blender and Houdini. Life has changed a bit since I just became a dad to a lovely baby girl, and I'm finding that my time on the computer is more limited now. With that in mind, I'm contemplating what to upgrade in my setup. My motherboard only supports 8th and 9th Gen Intel CPUs, so I'm torn between just upgrading to a better 9th Gen CPU, or going all out with a new motherboard and CPU combo. I've also thought about upgrading the GPU. What do you all think is the best, long-term investment? Appreciate any insights! Here's my current build:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 LGA 1151 300 Series
- MOBO: GIGABYTE B365M DS3H
- GPU: GTX 1660 6GB
- PSU: GameMax VP-600-M 600W
- RAM: 4X 8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 DRAM
- Storage: 4x Samsung 870 EVO 1TB
4 Answers
Honestly, if you're just looking to get better performance, upgrading to something like the i3-12100F can give you great results for a low cost. You can usually find those with a motherboard for under $200. This can be a nice balance without spending too much right now!
I'd suggest going for both a new CPU and motherboard. Since your CPU is maxing out, replacing it will give you a substantial boost, especially if you can get something like the i5-12600KF. You can usually get both a decent CPU and motherboard combo for around $250 to $300, which is a solid investment for the long run!
Great advice! I was considering the i7-9700, but the info on the i5-12600KF being better for less cost really helps make the decision easier.
I faced a similar dilemma. I went for the CPU and motherboard upgrade, and it made a huge difference! Just keep an eye on game performance to avoid bottlenecks. Also, maybe look into upgrading your PSU if you go the GPU route later. Best of luck with parenting and your PC!
Thanks! It's tough balancing everything, but I'm excited for the upgrade and getting the most out of my setups!
Congrats on the baby! I'd lean towards upgrading the GPU since yours is pretty outdated. But, if you can swing it, consider a CPU+mobo upgrade. A new CPU will keep your system relevant longer, especially since you're not gaming as much these days, and can still manage lighter games with a better CPU while saving for a GPU upgrade later.
Thanks for the insights! I think prioritizing a CPU might be the best call right now since I don't have a lot of time for gaming.
That's a really budget-friendly option! I didn’t realize the i3 would be that much better than my current setup.