I'm currently using an i5 9400F, paired with 2 sticks of 16GB DDR4 RAM, and a GeForce 3060 graphics card. Lately, I've noticed my CPU struggling to keep up with the performance of the GPU. I have an Asus Prime B365M-K motherboard and I'm wondering what might be a good CPU upgrade for me. Some sources suggested the i7 9700, but I'm curious if that's really a worthwhile investment or if I should consider other options. What kind of performance boost can I expect with this upgrade?
2 Answers
Upgrading your CPU might not give you a massive boost—perhaps around 10% max. The top option for your current motherboard, the 9900K, won't significantly change your performance either, and to get something better, you'd need a new motherboard altogether. Instead, consider upgrading your GPU if you can, especially if you're running the 8GB model. I suggest looking at the 9060XT 16GB; it's a fantastic deal for the performance you get!
You might want to check out the Ryzen 5 5500 along with an AM4 motherboard. It's pretty budget-friendly and allows your existing RAM to be reused. The 5500 can hold its own against mid-range GPUs like yours. Plus, it opens up better upgrade options later on than what your current Intel setup offers.

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