I'm currently using an R5 3600 CPU, RX 5700XT GPU, and 64GB of DDR4 3600MHz RAM on a B450 Tomahawk Max motherboard. I enjoy playing a variety of games like racing sims, MMOs (like OSRS, FFXIV, GW2, and WOW), and competitive shooters (including Valorant, Deadlock, Marvel Rivals, and OW2). While most games run smoothly, I've noticed that multitasking has become tougher lately, and my favorite racing sim struggles when racing online. I'm considering upgrading to an i5-14600K along with a new motherboard since there's a good deal available at $150. Would this be a solid upgrade?
2 Answers
Upgrading to the i5-14600K could be a decent move, but have you considered getting a Ryzen 7 5700X3D instead? If you're changing motherboards, going for an AM5 setup could give you a better future upgrade path too. What kind of multitasking do you usually do? That might influence your decision more.
I switched from an R5 2600X to an i5-13600K this year, and let me tell you, the difference was huge! I've had zero issues with gaming or multitasking, but just a heads up: the LGA1700 socket is already discontinued. You might want to look into AM5 CPUs instead, like the 7600X or even the 7800X3D if budget allows. They're expected to support future Ryzen chips too, which is a bonus! But if you go with the i5-14600K, don't forget you’ll need to upgrade to DDR5 RAM, which will add to your costs.
True, but the LGA1700 does support DDR4 if you find a suitable motherboard. Just keep in mind that DDR5 is the way forward!