Hey everyone! I'm currently using an i5-6400 with a GTX 1660 Super, and I'm wondering if upgrading to an i7-6700 would be a worthwhile investment. I play games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Overwatch 2, and I often experience CPU bottlenecks, especially in more demanding titles where my FPS drops below 40 at times. I'm not looking to do a complete overhaul of my system, but I found the i7-6700 for around 35-40 euros in the second-hand market. Would this upgrade improve my gaming experience, or is it not worth the money? I'm also aware of the i7-7700, but it's almost double the price and the performance gain seems minor. What do you all think?
5 Answers
Honestly, going for the i7-6700 might not yield a significant performance boost. If you already have DDR4 RAM, I'd recommend considering a used B450 motherboard with a Ryzen 5500 instead. It could be a more noticeable upgrade in the long run.
You might not see a noticeable FPS increase, but if you're okay with spending a bit for a smoother experience, it could be worth it. However, keep in mind this won't be a long-term solution as newer games may still demand more power than what the i7-6700 provides.
If the upgrade is super cheap, then go for it. I did a similar upgrade years ago, and while it helped a bit, if your games are CPU intense, you may see less benefit if you're hitting CPU bottlenecks often.
There are also Xeon chips that offer similar performance to the i7. They can be pretty budget-friendly too. Just make sure you check compatibility with your socket!
I'd suggest upgrading your whole setup instead. Older i7s are becoming overpriced and you really need newer chips like Ryzen for better gaming performance and compatibility with future tech like Windows 11. If you can stretch your budget a bit, a Ryzen 5 5500 with a cheap B550 motherboard would be ideal. You could find a used setup for around 150 euros.
I agree! Even the Ryzen 3600 would outperform the 6700 and it might not cost much more.