Hey there! I built my PC back in 2017 and have only upgraded the GPU to a 3080 and the power supply to 1000 watts. Lately, I've noticed that my CPU, the i7-7700K, is bottlenecking my GPU in newer games, and I'm looking to upgrade. To get a new CPU, I'll likely need a new motherboard and DDR5 RAM. So my question is: should I spend the extra cash on a 14700K, upgrade to DDR5, and buy a high-end motherboard? Or would it be smarter to go for a more budget-friendly option by sticking with my DDR4 RAM while selecting a cheaper board and a less powerful CPU? I'm hoping to boost my performance without spending $800, ideally keeping it around $400 for the CPU and motherboard while retaining my current RAM if that would still offer a noticeable performance increase.
3 Answers
For the best potential upgrade, AM5 with DDR5 is the way to go. But if you're really needing to save money, sticking with Intel's 12th or 14th gen could let you keep your current RAM and still get a decent upgrade without breaking the bank. Just keep in mind, that might limit your upgrade options down the line.
I had a similar situation with my 8700K, and I decided to go for a 5700X3D. It did help reduce the bottleneck with my 5070 Ti, especially for those 1% low performance improvements. If you’re planning for the long term, consider saving up for AM6 to keep your upgrade path open.
If you're sticking to a budget, the AM5 option with a Ryzen 5 9600X is a solid choice. You can snag a B650 or B850 motherboard and DDR5 RAM for just under $400, especially if you keep an eye out for deals.
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