Hey everyone! I've been using my friend's PC build from 2019, and lately I've noticed that my CPU usage is maxing out at 100% while I'm gaming (like League of Legends and Factorio) or working on larger projects in software like Photoshop and ArchiCAD. This causes some lag, which is pretty frustrating. I have a 3840x2160 main monitor and a 1920x1080 secondary one, plus I'm running Razer software and Govee lights. Is my Intel i5-9600K struggling with all this? It's running at a cool 30-40°C, and I replaced the thermal paste about a year ago.
If my setup isn't the issue, what's a better CPU option for my build? I'm open to any suggestions! Here's what I have:
- CPU: Intel i5-9600K
- RAM: 16GB Ballistix DDR4, 3000MHz
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
- Motherboard: Z390 AORUS PRO
Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
It sounds like you might benefit from a new motherboard platform—your current LGA 1151 only supports up to 9th gen Intel CPUs. While there are faster options there, they may not be worth it for the cost. If you're willing to spend around $400-$500, consider jumping to an AM5 or LGA 1700 socket for a big performance boost. For a more budget-friendly option, adding another 16GB of DDR4 RAM could really help with your design work and gaming.
I'd suggest downgrading to an i7-8700K and looking for an RTX 2080 Ti, but you'll also likely need a 750W power supply for that. Just a thought!
Not sure I want to downgrade my GPU, especially since I play a lot at 4K 120fps. Older RTX cards might not cut it for me.
Thanks for the input! I'll definitely talk to my IT friend about the options. <3