Hey everyone! I just picked up an MSI RTX 3090 GAMING X TRIO 24G for 3D modeling and rendering, but I'm realizing that my current CPU, a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600KF, is bottlenecking performance. It's hitting 100% usage when I'm rendering in Blender. I'm looking for CPU upgrade suggestions that are compatible with my ASRock B660M PRO RS LGA 1700 motherboard. My budget is around $450-$500, but I'm open to options that are a bit more if the price is right or if there's a sale. Any recommendations?
3 Answers
Also, consider your cooling setup. The best CPU isn't always ideal if your current cooling isn't up to par. Make sure your motherboard's VRMs can handle the heat of a higher-end CPU.
If you're looking for more cores, the Intel Core i9-12900K might be a solid pick for your needs. It's a great upgrade for 3D rendering tasks and should help reduce CPU usage during renders.
Just a heads-up, since you're using the B660M motherboard, you won't need to upgrade that, which is a plus! The 12900K usually runs around $250 used. Just add a good cooler for about $35 and a $5 contact frame to manage thermal transfer, and you'll stay well within your budget.

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