Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on my aging PC setup that's still doing the job for both work and gaming. Here are the specs:
- **Motherboard**: Gigabyte H310m S2P, LGA 1151
- **Processor**: Intel i5 9400f
- **Cooler**: Cooler Master Hyper H411R
- **RAM**: 16GB (2 x 8GB HyperX DDR4, 2666 MHz)
- **GPU**: Gigabyte GTX 1650 with 4GB VRAM
- **Power Supply**: Corsair CX450
- **Case**: Corsair SPEC-05 mid-tower
I can't afford a total rebuild right now, so I'm considering swapping in a second-hand i7 9700 since it's my best option at the moment. However, with LGA 1151 being discontinued, finding it at a reasonable price is tough.
I'm unsure whether to go for the i7 upgrade or save up for a complete new kit with a processor and motherboard. If I do choose the latter, what components should I be looking at that would work well with the parts I'm keeping (excluding the air cooler)? While my current setup is adequate for daily tasks and I prefer playing on medium settings most of the time, I'm experiencing some bottlenecks in CPU-heavy games, especially Baldur's Gate 3.
Thanks for any guidance you can offer, as I feel a bit lost with what my best upgrade option is!
1 Answer
Honestly, I wouldn't bother with the i7 9700 upgrade. The performance boost will be minimal compared to the cost. If you're mostly using this for daily tasks, your i5 9400F is likely sufficient. Instead, consider investing in a new GPU if you want a more noticeable upgrade. Just keep in mind that you may also need a new power supply to support a better GPU, depending on what you choose.
That makes sense! I was hoping the i7 would buy me some time, but if it’s not worth it, maybe saving for a better GPU is the way to go. Thanks for the input!