Is Upgrading My CPU Worth It for Gaming Performance?
Asked by
GamerDude99
I'm looking to give my PC a boost so I can enjoy new games without issues. Specifically, I've been experiencing FPS stuttering while playing "The Finals." My understanding of hardware is pretty limited, but I suspect that my CPU might be the weakest link in my setup. Do you think that just upgrading the CPU would lead to a noticeable improvement in performance? Also, I'm on the lookout for suggestions for a mid-range CPU upgrade! Here's my current specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 @ 2.80 GHz
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1070
- RAM: DDR4 32 GB
Thanks in advance!
Answers
If you're planning on upgrading your CPU, keep in mind that you'll likely need a new motherboard and possibly new RAM as well, depending on what you choose. Just swapping the CPU might not give you the performance boost you're hoping for.
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Currently, your PC isn't really suffering from a bottleneck, so upgrading just the CPU might not provide the value you're looking for. Your platform is getting old, so while a CPU upgrade could help a bit, it won't make a massive difference in modern games. I recommend saving up for a full platform upgrade (CPU + Motherboard + RAM). For future-proofing, AMD's AM5 platform is a solid choice, plus their x3D CPUs are fantastic for gaming!
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In reality, if you're looking for a meaningful upgrade, there's not much on the market that will give you a huge boost without a full overhaul. Even upgrading to the highest-end Intel 8th gen chip will only yield about a 20% performance increase at best. Given your older hardware, you might find a better deal upgrading your GPU too, like moving to a used 2080 Super or 3080 if your PSU can handle it.
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Honestly, for a significant performance increase, you might want to consider upgrading your CPU along with the GPU and motherboard. If you're looking for something more modern, upgrading to an AM5 platform could be worthwhile. Don't forget to make sure your games are installed on an SSD for better loading times too!
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TechWizard92: I get that, but since OP mentioned "The Finals," which is pretty CPU-intensive, a CPU upgrade could still yield noticeable improvements—especially with something like an 8700k, which has faster threads. Though, it's true that the GPU won't see a huge FPS increase, smoother gameplay can be just as important!
StutterFixer: Good point! "The Finals" is indeed demanding on both CPU and GPU, so a CPU upgrade could help eliminate those stutters, but it might not be the game-changer OP hopes for.