I'm upgrading my PC from a 2021 setup where I'm currently using an Intel i5-10400 along with 32GB of DDR4 RAM. I recently bought a 5070 graphics card, and I'm concerned that my current CPU won't pair well with it. I'm looking for a new CPU and motherboard that would work effectively with the 5070 but still allow me to use my existing DDR4 RAM. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
Honestly, if you've got an eye on the future, think about going with Intel's 13th or 14th gen. They’re not cheap, but I get wanting to avoid the $500 for 32GB DDR5.
You might also want to consider an X3D CPU; they offer great performance. Alternatively, snagging an i9-11900K off eBay could be good, or you could get an LGA 1700 motherboard and opt for a 14600K, which supports DDR4.
If you want to stick with AMD, the Ryzen 5800X would be a solid choice. It's a great upgrade and should work well with your 5070. I've had no issues running it at 1080p or 1440p with a 6700XT, so I imagine you'll be satisfied too.
Check out this part list I whipped up for you! For CPUs, the Intel Core i5-12600KF is nice and priced around $169.99. Pair it with an Asus B760M motherboard for about $100, using your current RAM will keep costs down. You might want to wait for the i5-14600KF to go on sale; it usually clocks in at around $200. Here's a link to the performance comparison for your current CPU versus the 14600K.
If you're still keen on AMD, I've always loved my 3900X. It’s been rock solid for everything I throw at it.
Thanks for the info! I'll definitely look into that.