Hey everyone! I'm trying to find the best CPU and motherboard combination that still supports DDR3 memory, as I'm looking to keep using my old 1050ti and DDR3 RAM due to the rising prices. I currently have an Intel i5-4460, but it seems to be bottlenecking quite a bit. Any advice for upgrades that won't break the bank?
3 Answers
You could go for some slightly newer options like the 6th or 7th gen CPUs that still support DDR3—some motherboards do. However, keep in mind, you're still limited to 4 cores and 8 threads, which isn't really going to boost performance significantly.
Honestly, there aren't many solid upgrades left for DDR3. You might be able to snag a 4770K, but it really doesn't offer much value these days. If you want a more future-proof setup, consider shifting to an AM4 CPU and DDR4 motherboard, which are still fairly priced. I saw 32GB of RAM for around €200—used to be around €100 for half that!
If your current board can handle it, a used Haswell Xeon might be a solid choice. Chips like the E3-1246v3 have integrated graphics, which could be handy for backup purposes. They're often cheaper than similarly performing i7s. Otherwise, the non-K 4770 might be a decent alternative. Just so you know, most boards supported DDR3 up until around the 7th gen, but DDR4 became standard with the 6th gen, so the 7700K would be the best option if DDR3 is still a must for you.
I actually picked up 32GB (2x16) of 3600MHz RAM for only £56.67 back in March 2025. Deals are out there!