[SOLVED] Best CPU for my MSI H270 Tomahawk Arctic?

MarkTM

Honorable
Jun 9, 2017
24
1
10,525
Im using this above motherboard and want a CPU upgrade. Im currently using i5 7400.

RTX 2060 MSI twin frozr

I can use AMD or intel.

Why is i7 7700k SO expensive? T_T
 
Solution
I like the value of ryzen right now. Here is a setup with a ryzen 7 2700 8c 16t with a max frequency of 4.1ghz. This comes with a stock cooler, and the included b450 mobo allows for a mild cpu overclock. Your ram will slow the cpus performance since AMD likes fast ram, but an overclock to 2666 or 3000 mhz will help. Since it is dual channel, that helps too.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor | $224.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $114.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Avexir - Core Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | Purchased For $0.00
|...
What games do you play mainly?
Yes, your current CPU will likely bottleneck an RTX 2060 in a lot of titles. In order to support any Intel CPU faster than a 7700k, or any AMD CPU you will need a new motherboard, but as long as your ram is DDR4, it should work. What Are your ram kit speed and DDR version?
Here is a good setup to get started with:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor | $164.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $114.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Team - T-Force Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $90.98 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $370.86
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09 17:41 EDT-0400 |
Or if you like Intel more:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel - Core i5-9400F 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor | $169.90 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte - Z390 UD ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $109.99 @ Newegg
Memory | Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory | $80.98 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $360.87
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09 17:42 EDT-0400 |
 
What games do you play mainly?
Yes, your current CPU will likely bottleneck an RTX 2060 in a lot of titles. In order to support any Intel CPU faster than a 7700k, or any AMD CPU you will need a new motherboard, but as long as your ram is DDR4, it should work. What Are your ram kit speed and DDR version?
Here is a good setup to get started with:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor | $164.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $114.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Team - T-Force Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $90.98 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $370.86
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09 17:41 EDT-0400 |
Or if you like Intel more:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel - Core i5-9400F 2.9 GHz 6-Core Processor | $169.90 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte - Z390 UD ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $109.99 @ Newegg
Memory | Team - Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory | $80.98 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $360.87
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09 17:42 EDT-0400 |
im using 2 8gb avexir ddr 4 ram - http://www.avexir.com/product/corespec-ddr4.html

Hmm, I can probably go $350 but im wondering since i already have ram, maybe i can get a better board/cpu?

if i go this way, Gigabyte - Z390 UD ATX LGA1151 Motherboard, can i still go for a better upgrade in the future? I plan on still upgrading, but that would take a ytear from now
 
I like the value of ryzen right now. Here is a setup with a ryzen 7 2700 8c 16t with a max frequency of 4.1ghz. This comes with a stock cooler, and the included b450 mobo allows for a mild cpu overclock. Your ram will slow the cpus performance since AMD likes fast ram, but an overclock to 2666 or 3000 mhz will help. Since it is dual channel, that helps too.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor | $224.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $114.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Avexir - Core Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | Purchased For $0.00
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $339.88
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor | $365.99 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler | Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler | $24.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte - Z370P D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $107.95 @ Amazon
Memory | Avexir - Core Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | Purchased For $0.00
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $508.83
| Mail-in rebates | -$10.00
| Total | $498.83
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09 18:32 EDT-0400 |

If you want a newer i7, you are going to have to pay for it. This setup includes a 6 core 12 thread I7 8700k, cheap but decent cooler (none come with cpu) and a motherboard that will overclock. If you want an newer 8 core 8 thread i7 9700k expect well over 500 since you need a pricy z390 mobo.
Your ram isnt a problem here with any newer intel platform, as they dont require faster ram. If you want intel your budget will top out at a 6 core 6 thread i5 with z390 board (that supports all current intel cpus), where with AMD you can get an 8 core 16 thread cpu with clocks simmilar to a 9400f.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MarkTM
Solution
I like the value of ryzen right now. Here is a setup with a ryzen 7 2700 8c 16t with a max frequency of 4.1ghz. This comes with a stock cooler, and the included b450 mobo allows for a mild cpu overclock. Your ram will slow the cpus performance since AMD likes fast ram, but an overclock to 2666 or 3000 mhz will help. Since it is dual channel, that helps too.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD - Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor | $224.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $114.99 @ Amazon
Memory | Avexir - Core Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | Purchased For $0.00
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $339.88
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor | $365.99 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler | Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler | $24.89 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | Gigabyte - Z370P D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $107.95 @ Amazon
Memory | Avexir - Core Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | Purchased For $0.00
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $508.83
| Mail-in rebates | -$10.00
| Total | $498.83
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-04-09 18:32 EDT-0400 |

If you want a newer i7, you are going to have to pay for it. This setup includes a 6 core 12 thread I7 8700k, cheap but decent cooler (none come with cpu) and a motherboard that will overclock. If you want an newer 8 core 8 thread i7 9700k expect well over 500 since you need a pricy z390 mobo.
Your ram isnt a problem here with any newer intel platform, as they dont require faster ram. If you want intel your budget will top out at a 6 core 6 thread i5 with z390 board (that supports all current intel cpus), where with AMD you can get an 8 core 16 thread cpu with clocks simmilar to a 9400f.

I've made up my mind. I will go the more expensive i7 8700k. I will probably have to delay my build for about 4 months, but I think this is better for future upgrades as well if I want to change GPU. Thanks a lot everyone!