I'm looking to upgrade my CPU, motherboard, and RAM since my current setup is starting to show its age. I'm experiencing regular system freezes and short lags while playing games like World of Warcraft, Diablo 4, Overwatch, and Path of Exile. I've already done a fresh install of Windows 11 and formatted all my drives, so I'm assuming the issue could be with my CPU or RAM. With current RAM prices being high, I'm not sure if I can afford an upgrade. I'd like to get at least 32GB of RAM, as I feel like 16GB isn't enough anymore. Another thing is that my i5 10400F only supports RAM speeds up to 2666MHz, which seems pretty low. My GPU is a 3070, so I feel okay on that front. Do you all have any suggestions on CPUs or should I just wait for RAM prices to drop, which might take years? You can check out my hardware details [here](https://imgur.com/a/msI2JKL).
3 Answers
If you want to stick with your current RAM and avoid splurging on DDR5, an affordable option is to go for an i5 14400F CPU along with a B760M or B760 DDR4 motherboard. That setup should keep you running smoothly for the next couple of years.
Have you checked your CPU cooling? I have a 10400F with a solid air cooler, and while it doesn't thermal throttle, I notice some slowdowns because of its older architecture. It's good to know that RAM speed isn't as crucial as you might think; faster RAM gives a slight FPS boost but isn't a game changer. Also, consider your storage setup—using a single fast NVMe drive can lead to better performance than a mix of slower drives. Lastly, you might want to simplify your software and drivers. A clean Windows install with minimal extra software can improve performance.
First, make sure to check if you're really maxing out your RAM usage. Having accurate data would help you decide on the upgrade. If you find you do indeed need more RAM, you could sell your current kit and buy a new 32GB set to save some cash. For budget-friendly options, consider upgrading to an Intel 14th-gen CPU instead of going for AMD. It's not usually a top recommendation, but with current market trends, it might be worthwhile.
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