I'm looking to upgrade my CPU, motherboard, and cooler, and I'm curious about the best CPU options currently available for gaming. I don't have a strict budget; however, I want to make a smart purchase that provides excellent performance now and can be considered future-proof for the next few years. I mainly game at Full HD but want a CPU that can handle 4K as well when I upgrade my GPU and monitor. Here's my current setup:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K
- Motherboard: MSI H170 GAMING M3
- RAM: 16 GB (2x8 GB) Kingston DDR4-2400
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti FE
- PSU: XFX XTR 650W
- Case: NZXT H440, mid-tower ATX
- Cooler: Corsair Hydro H80i v2
- Monitor: ASUS VG248QE
3 Answers
If you want to focus on 4K gaming rather than e-sports, consider saving a bit on the CPU and investing more in a GPU. For 4K, a CPU like the 9700X shouldn’t bottleneck with a good GPU like the 5080. Just remember that future-proofing is tricky; components hold their value well, so you can always sell and upgrade in the future.
The best options out there are the 9950X3D and 9800X3D. The 9800X3D is slightly slower but it's way cheaper and offers better value. If you want something powerful without breaking the bank, the 7800X3D bundle could also be a smart choice for long-term upgrades.
For e-sports, I’d definitely recommend the 9800X3D. However, if you just want to enjoy high-end AAA games at 4K, the 9700X would be a solid choice, offering a good balance of performance and price.
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