I'm thinking about upgrading my i3-12100F because it's struggling with esports titles. I found a second-hand i9-12900 for around $200, which is tempting, but I currently have an Asrock B660m-HDV motherboard. Will the i9 work with this board, or would it be better to consider something like the i7-12700 or 12700K? I also have an RX 9060XT, 32GB of RAM, and I'm planning to upgrade to an 850-watt PSU soon.
4 Answers
You should consider disabling hyperthreading to help with stability and running the Intel boost curve. That could keep your CPU clocked up a bit more consistently, but with that motherboard, you might still run into heat issues. I'd recommend adding a fan blowing over the VRMs if you go this route.
While the B660M-HDV can physically run the i9-12900, it won’t deliver great performance. Users have reported throttling issues even below 95 watts because of the motherboard’s weak VRMs. For higher levels like those needed for the i9, a Z series motherboard would be a better choice. You could also consider the i7-12700 as a potentially more balanced option for your setup.
Honestly, if you want to go for an i9, it's best to find a Z series motherboard. You'll get more performance out of your CPU and avoid a lot of potential issues that come with using the B660M-HDV.
The Asrock B660m-HDV will technically support the i9-12900, but you're really going to face some limitations. Its VRMs are pretty weak and likely won't handle the power demands of such a strong CPU efficiently. You'll probably experience throttling, especially under load. If you're serious about performance, I'd look for a better motherboard if possible.
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