I'm looking to upgrade my CPU from an i7 8700 to something better while keeping it budget-friendly. My current setup includes an i7 8700, RTX 3060 Ti, 32GB DDR4 3600MHz, a Corsair RM650 power supply, and an Asus Z390P motherboard. I'm planning to get a new motherboard as well. What AM4 CPU should I consider that offers a significant performance boost without breaking the bank?
5 Answers
Honestly, if you're set on the AM4 platform, I wouldn’t recommend going for the lower-end models like the Ryzen 5500 or 5700. They're not much faster than the i7 8700. Aim for at least a Ryzen 5600 or 5700X for a noticeable upgrade. Otherwise, the Intel i5-14600K would give you better performance across the board.
The Ryzen 5 5800X is a fantastic upgrade, but it can be pricey right now. Still, keep an eye out because there have been talks about AMD re-releasing the 5800X3D for its anniversary, which could bring prices down a bit. But for now, the 14600K is a more wallet-friendly option.
You might want to consider the Ryzen 5 5600; it's a solid choice for a budget upgrade that's definitely better than your current CPU. If you're looking for something really affordable, even the Ryzen 5 3600 would work, but the 5600 offers a nice performance jump for the price.
If you want to future-proof your setup, the Intel Core i5-12600K along with an MSI B760-P DDR4 motherboard could be a great combination. Plus, it allows for future upgrades to the 14th generation Intel CPUs. I upgraded my old i5-9600K to that, and I saw a huge performance boost!
For a more focused budget, how about keeping it under €150? I wouldn't recommend going for the cheapest AM4 CPUs like the 5500 or 5700, as they don't give much of an upgrade over your i7. Look into the 5600 or 5700X instead—they'd be worth it!
Should I look for any deals or options on eBay, or are there better places to buy used in Finland?