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?
3 Answers
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!
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.
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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