I'm not super knowledgeable about PCs yet, but I'm looking to upgrade my old CPU. I currently have an Intel Core i5-9400F and a GTX 1660 SUPER for gaming, but my motherboard is a Prime H310M-A R2.0. Can anyone suggest a CPU I can upgrade to that won't require a complete overhaul of my system?
3 Answers
Honestly, your motherboard limits your options quite a bit. The most powerful CPU you can get for that board is likely the i9-9900K. I saw a review recently showcasing its performance in popular games, and it still holds up pretty well. Just remember, it may not utilize its full potential with that motherboard, but it should still be an upgrade.
If you really want a solid upgrade, consider getting a new motherboard too. Something like a 12400F or 13600K paired with a B760 motherboard will give you a nice boost while letting you reuse your DDR4 RAM. It's definitely worth thinking about with future proofing in mind!
Yeah, the main limitation here is your motherboard. It was designed for lower-end CPUs, so you won't see much of a performance boost with anything more powerful than the 9900K. If you want the latest tech, getting a new mobo along with the CPU is the way to go!
So I'd have to upgrade my motherboard first to get those newer CPUs?