I recently had to refund my i9-13900KF because it was running way too hot, and thankfully I had the receipt. Now, I've got $578 to spend on a new CPU. I'm looking for something that performs well without generating too much heat or noise since I'm prioritizing a quieter gaming experience over raw power. I mostly play competitive shooters and some open-world games like CS2, Valorant, League, Dota, and others. I'm considering the 9700X but am worried that the 9800X3D might output too much heat and noise. I also have an RTX 4090, so what are your recommendations for a CPU and a good motherboard to pair with it?
4 Answers
If you're cool with it, I'd recommend either the 7800X3D or 9800X3D. They use significantly less power compared to your old CPU, and the games you're playing will benefit from the additional cache. Just remember to grab a good cooler!
The 9700X seems like a safe bet. I saw a recent video from Hardware Unboxed that did some CPU scaling comparisons, and it's pretty informative. Definitely worth a look if you're still on the fence!
Link it if you find it! I’m curious to see those comparisons.
Actually, you might find the 9800X3D runs more efficiently compared to the 9700X. It can provide better gaming performance without cranking up the heat too much. Lots of users report it managing heat well even under load, especially compared to the i9 you had!
But how much more efficient are we talking? Is the price jump worth it for the extra performance?
Also, I watched a video that compared these CPUs; it might be worth checking out for a better understanding!
Honestly, unless noise is your absolute priority, the 9800X3D pairs super well with a 4090. It uses around 120W max, and you'll still get exceptional frame rates. Plus, its Eco mode can help it cool down if needed!
What motherboard would be best for that? I might want to pair it with one of those CPUs.