I'm looking to upgrade from my i5-9600K and need advice on the best CPU and motherboard combo for under $300. I primarily game at 1080p with mixed medium and high settings, paired with an RTX 3060. I'm not into overclocking; I just want a reliable upgrade that won't bottleneck my GPU and will last a while. What would be the best bang-for-the-buck options right now? Should I consider AM5, LGA1700, or stick with AM4? Any recommendations on specific combos or deals would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
AM5 is probably out of your budget since DDR5 RAM is really expensive right now. A solid choice could be the Intel 14600K paired with a DDR4 motherboard; that combo offers great value for performance without breaking the bank.

Would the 12600KF be a good option as well?