I'm currently using an i5-9600K and looking to upgrade without spending a fortune. I'd like to keep both the CPU and motherboard under $300. I'm mainly gaming at 1080p with a 3060, and I've noticed the 9600K is starting to bottleneck in newer games. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
Have a look at the Intel 12600KF along with an LGA1700 motherboard that supports DDR4. I found some great links with different options. Just a heads up: your old cooler won’t fit this setup, so you might need to grab a new one as well. Here's one affordable combo that includes a cooler to keep costs down.
Consider going for an AM4 build that would allow you to use your current DDR4 RAM. For under $300, you might find a Ryzen 5 5600X, paired with a budget-friendly B550 motherboard. It’s going to outperform your 9600K pretty easily, making it a smart choice for gaming.
If you want to stick with your DDR4 RAM, I'd recommend looking at the Ryzen 7 5800X. I recently got a motherboard and the 5800X for under $300. The motherboard was on sale for about $89, which made it a great deal. Just keep in mind that the 5800X doesn't come with a cooler, so you'll need to reuse your old one or get a new one. It's one of the best options at that price point!
Thanks for the info! I actually spotted some 12600KFs on eBay for $140-150. Do you think a cheaper motherboard will still deliver decent performance?