I'm looking for a budget-friendly CPU upgrade for my child's entry-level PC. Currently, it has an Intel i3 10th Gen (3.7GHz) processor, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, an ASUS RX 580 8GB GPU, and a 600W power supply. What would be a good upgrade that won't break the bank?
4 Answers
If you’re targeting budget options, the 10th gen i7 or even i5 would be good picks, but keep in mind that 11th Gen doesn’t offer a massive leap in performance. They’re mostly beneficial if you do a complete platform upgrade with new motherboard and RAM. Just ensure you’re comfortable with any potential BIOS updates required for compatibility.
You can upgrade to an 11th Gen Intel chip, but honestly, it's not much different from the 10th Gen. If you're looking for a solid boost, consider the i7 or i9 from the 10th Gen. These will give decent performance for gaming and multitasking. Just make sure your motherboard can handle the power, as they can draw quite a bit of watts. You might also want to increase your RAM to at least 16GB to see significant improvements!
Are there any third-party sites you'd recommend for finding these CPUs?
Honestly, before diving into a CPU upgrade, consider bumping your RAM up to 16GB. Your CPU might be fine for now; it’s just that 8GB might be holding you back during demanding applications. But if you want to upgrade the CPU, check eBay for i5 or i7 options—those tend to be the sweet spot for performance on a budget. They should keep your system running smoothly for a while!
I’ve had good luck finding older i7s for reasonable prices. Definitely worth a look on second-hand marketplaces.
Thanks! I’ll look into getting more RAM as well.
Keep in mind that going for an i7 means you should have a decent motherboard that can deliver enough power. I run an i5 10600, and it’s been performing well for me, even with gaming. It’s definitely a good choice if you want to save on costs and still get great performance!
Good point! That’s something I hadn’t considered.
What price range should I expect for a decent i7?