Should I Upgrade My Intel CPU or Get a Better Cooler?
Asked by
TechyTinkerer92
I'm building my second PC and I'm at the point where I'm considering an upgrade. I initially chose my current Intel Core i5-12400F to save money, with plans to upgrade later, but haven't gotten around to it. I game mostly on titles like Guild Wars 2, Resident Evil, StarCraft, and Elden Ring, and I also use my PC for streaming. With a budget of $400-$500, I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading my CPU or if I should invest in a CPU cooler since I've only been using the stock one. I'm eager to tinker and improve my setup but don't want to waste money if the upgrade won't yield a noticeable performance boost. Here are my specs for reference: AMD Radeon RX 6800, MSI Pro B760-P WiFi DDR4 motherboard, 2TB Samsung SSD, 64GB Kingston Fury RAM, and an EVGA 750W power supply.
Answers
You should figure out if your games are limited by the CPU or GPU. Your 12400F isn't bad, but performance can vary depending on the game. If your CPU usage hits 100% while your GPU is under 40%, it sounds like a CPU bottleneck. In that case, an upgrade to a 14600K could help, but be cautious with your motherboard's limitations on power.
Reply to this answer
You won’t need to change your motherboard for an upgrade, which is great. I recently switched to an i5-14600K, and it's a solid choice for gaming. Just make sure to update your BIOS first! The i7 is also a good option, but the i9 might be overkill for most games. Definitely worth considering if you want to up your game.
CoolerFanatic33: If you're looking for cooling, grab a Cooler Master 240 AIO for around $40. Keeps things nice and cool without breaking a sweat during intense gameplay.
TechyTinkerer92: Thanks for the tips! I was eyeing the i7 for a while. Maybe now's the time to upgrade!
Reply to this answer
I think an i5-14600K paired with a Thermalright Phantom Spirit would work perfectly for you. Also, considering you have 64GB of RAM, are you really using all that? If not, you might want to sell a couple of sticks while prices are high; 32GB is usually plenty for gaming.
Reply to this answer
Upgrading your motherboard isn’t too complicated if you've done it before. Just keep your case, RAM, GPU, and power supply, and swap out the motherboard and CPU. I recommend a high-quality board to avoid power limitations—those B-series boards can be restrictive.
CuriousBuilder45: Is it hard to replace a motherboard? I’ve only upgraded an HDD and RAM before.
TechyTinkerer92: It’s my second build too, so I’m a bit nervous, but I think I can manage. Thanks for the reassurance!
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
SeriousGamer28: I noticed my CPU was maxed out in Guild Wars 2 too, so I think you're right about the bottleneck. My GPU didn’t even get close to max utilization, so an upgrade does seem needed.
TechyTinkerer92: That makes sense. I’ll definitely keep an eye on the CPU power limits before buying.