I'm feeling a bit confused about my options for upgrading my computer. Initially, I wanted to stick with Intel, but I've realized that their current processors seem like a dead end. Now, I'm considering switching to an AM5 socket setup instead. Right now, I have an Intel i5 9400F on an MSI Z390 A-Pro motherboard with a 5070 GPU and 32GB of 3200 RAM. I suspect my old motherboard and CPU are bottlenecking the GPU, which is why I'm looking to upgrade. My budget is around £400 for a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM since transitioning to AMD would mean I can't reuse my DDR4 RAM.
I was initially thinking about getting a 14600K processor along with an LGA 1700 motherboard, which would cost about £290. However, I wonder if that setup will have enough longevity or if I should go for a decent AMD configuration—if it's even possible on my budget. Also, I need at least 5 SATA ports since I use multiple SATA SSDs and HDDs—so that's another consideration. Thanks for any advice!
1 Answer
It's really important to understand what you're aiming for with the upgrade. Are you looking for more frames per second (FPS) or just smoother gameplay overall? If you want to transition to AMD, keep in mind that RAM prices are pretty high right now. Switching your motherboard and RAM can be costly, so weigh your options carefully. If the performance gain with Intel isn't enough, it might be worth the investment for a solid AMD setup.
Yeah, I upgraded my GPU recently too, and the performance boost was minimal because my old CPU and motherboard were bottlenecking. I get where you're coming from—some games just don’t run smoothly even when they should. If you go AMD, you'll probably need to bite the bullet on RAM as well, but it could ultimately be a better long-term investment.