I'm planning to upgrade my PC so it can handle newer games such as Helldivers 2, with the possibility of streaming in the future. I'm mainly targeting 1440p rather than 4K. My current system has an Intel Core i7-9700F, an RTX 2060 SUPER, and an ASRock B365M IB-R motherboard. I'm considering two CPU, motherboard, and DDR5 memory bundles: a 7500X3D bundle with 16GB of RAM for $399, or a 7800X3D bundle with 32GB for $749. The less expensive bundle is closer to my budget, and I could put the remaining money toward a future graphics card upgrade. Which option offers the best value, and would upgrading the CPU now make a noticeable difference with my current GPU?
3 Answers
The 7500X3D bundle is probably the best value for pure gaming, but 16GB of RAM is starting to feel limiting in newer games. The Intel 250K Plus bundle at about $550 includes 32GB and should provide better headroom for streaming and multitasking. Either CPU would be a substantial step up from the 9700F, although your RTX 2060 SUPER is currently more likely to limit 1440p performance than the processor. A CPU upgrade alone may not produce a dramatic improvement until you replace the GPU.
It’s worth checking the Intel bundles too. A bundle with a 250K Plus, B860 motherboard, and 32GB of RAM is around $550 and offers excellent overall value. For gaming, the AMD chip may have an edge in some situations, but the Intel option gives you more memory and should also be a solid upgrade from the 9700F, especially if you plan to stream.
How would the Intel processor compare with the AMD option specifically for gaming? I’ve read that the AMD chip can offer better gaming performance and fewer frame-time spikes, but the extra memory and bundle value are tempting.
If gaming is your main priority, I’d choose the less expensive 7500X3D bundle. It should be a major CPU upgrade over your current system, and saving the difference for a stronger graphics card makes sense. Just remember that you’ll need to replace the motherboard as part of the platform upgrade.
So the 250K Plus would still be a worthwhile upgrade from my 9700F, even if the AMD chip is stronger in some gaming benchmarks? The Intel bundle does seem like an unusually good deal, especially because of the 32GB of memory.