I'm currently in a bind with my 13700KF, which I bought at launch for gaming but has been frustratingly slow lately. It seems to be degrading over time, as I find myself tweaking the BIOS more frequently to restore stability. I game occasionally, but it's gotten to the point where I sometimes reboot my system multiple times to start gaming, and I'm looking for some advice on whether I should upgrade to a 13900KS or a 14900K for a straightforward drop-in replacement. My setup includes 64GB of RAM and an MSI MEG ACE z790 motherboard, along with high-end GPUs. I'm also running LLMs and doing some engineering work, so reliability is key for me. I'm not trying to break the bank—just want to ensure I'm making a sound investment as I consider future upgrades. Also, I discovered I'm still under the RMA window for my current CPU, which adds another layer to my decision. What do you all think?
3 Answers
For your needs, I’d suggest going for the 14900K if your budget allows. The extra threads could help with your LLM workloads, and it’s a drop-in replacement. Just make sure to keep your BIOS up to date!
Intel's 13th and 14th gen chips have had issues with degradation. It might be risky to invest in a new CPU in that generation. If you're looking for something more reliable, maybe consider switching to AMD. You could get a solid AMD CPU and motherboard combo for the same price, and it might perform better without the issues you're experiencing with the Intel chips.
Have you thought about using that RMA option? Your CPU is still under warranty, so reaching out to Intel for a replacement might be the best move. They have a 5-year warranty, so it could save you some cash in the long run.
Definitely keep that BIOS updated! I’ve heard it can help with stability issues, especially with these CPUs.