Should I Upgrade My CPU or Stick With What I Have?
Asked by
GamerDude92
I've been using an i5-8500 with an RX 5700 XT, and overall, it's been a solid setup for me. Lately, I haven't played many games due to work and other responsibilities, but I have a Gigabyte Z390 UD motherboard, which means I can upgrade to a 9th-gen CPU if I want to. I'm thinking about whether it's worth upgrading to an i7-9700K or maybe even trying to snag an i9-9900K. However, I only want to replace the CPU since I can't do both that and the motherboard at the same time. I sometimes notice CPU bottlenecks while gaming, but it's not a huge deal. I mostly play at 1080p and around 60 FPS, so I'm not sure if the performance upgrade would be noticeable. Should I go ahead and upgrade, or just stick with my current setup?
Answers
Before you upgrade, check if your CPU is really maxing out. It sounds like the 8500's 6 cores might be limiting you in modern titles. While I wouldn't suggest shelling out high prices for older CPUs like the i7 or i9, if you can find an 8700K at a cheap price, it might give you a solid boost with the extra threads. Otherwise, holding off for a more modern upgrade could be smarter.
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Honestly, the i9 is way overkill for what you're using it for. You probably won't get your money's worth unless it’s a steal. I suggest considering the i7-9700K, but only if you can snag it for under $150. Otherwise, the i5-8500 still holds up well, especially if you're waiting to save for a full motherboard and CPU upgrade later.
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If your finances allow, I'd recommend the i7-9700 over the i7-9700K just because it’s cheaper. You might see only a minor frame rate bump due to the slight clock speed difference, but it’s certainly an upgrade over the i5-8500. You can usually find the 9700s for around $100, which isn’t too bad for the performance increase you'll get!
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