Help upgrading CPU for multitasking and gaming

[august.lundquist01]

Hi!

So I'm thinking about getting a new CPU for my PC but I'm not sure about which one I should buy. Right now I can play most games on high-ultra settings at 1080p 60fps but as soon as I turn on a stream or a YouTube video on my second screen it slows down the PC completely almost to the point of crashing.

What I'm looking for is a CPU that can handle high-end gaming and watching videos at the same time. So a CPU that's good at multitasking essentially.

My specs are:
Asus ROG STRIX B250F Gaming motherboard
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6gb
Intel Core i5-6400 2.70GHz
8gb RAM

Please keep in mind that I have very little experience in building a PC and what works best with what.

 

[Dunlop0078]

Well I would have a look at RAM and CPU usage when playing a game and watching a stream. If either are tapped out then performance will suffer. I would make sure you have an adequate amount of RAM for what you are doing before you buy a CPU. Are you trying to play a multiplayer game while watching a stream? If so your internet connection could also cause a problem like you describe if it's not up to the task.

The i7 7700 or 7700k is the best CPU you can support on that system. I would go for the cheaper i7 7700 since you cant overclock the cpu on your motherboard.

 

[madmatt30]

The only issue I have with the 7700 is that a Ryzen 2600 & b450 board actually costs less & it's better at multitasking.

Then factor,in you could,sell that board & i5 for $100 or so & actually be better off.

 

[Dunlop0078]

The only issue I have with the 7700 is that a Ryzen 2600 & b450 board actually costs less & it's better at multitasking.

Then factor,in you could,sell that board & i5 for $100 or so & actually be better off.

Oh wow. I agree, didn't realize that combo was so cheap.

 

[madmatt30]

^ well the issue is the last gen Intel's haven't really dropped in price.
Which is ridiculous really, it makes recommending a kaby/skylake cpu upgrade kind of hard work.
Seeing gen 1 Ryzen prices drop the instant the ryzen2*** series released puts into context just how inflated Intel prices used to be before amd became competitive again & forced prices down.

 

[august.lundquist01]

The only issue I have with the 7700 is that a Ryzen 2600 & b450 board actually costs less & it's better at multitasking.

Then factor,in you could,sell that board & i5 for $100 or so & actually be better off.

Ok so say I bought the new mobo and the Ryzen CPU, would I have to reinstall Windows OS etc. or will it boot normally? Also I've never had an AMD CPU, is it very different or is it basically the same?

 

[Dunlop0078]

The only issue I have with the 7700 is that a Ryzen 2600 & b450 board actually costs less & it's better at multitasking.

Then factor,in you could,sell that board & i5 for $100 or so & actually be better off.

Ok so say I bought the new mobo and the Ryzen CPU, would I have to reinstall Windows OS etc. or will it boot normally? Also I've never had an AMD CPU, is it very different or is it basically the same?

Yes I would recommend reinstalling windows, it may still boot if you don't but you will almost definitely run into some kind of issue if you don't. Drivers and certain windows settings are different depending on the platform.

It's a CPU. CPU's process information, same with an AMD or intel CPU. The way they do it is just a bit different. They both perform the same function, there is no major difference in terms of user experience between a ryzen cpu and an intel cpu of comparable performance. BIOS settings will probably be the only noticeable difference between the two cpu's in terms of user experience.

 

[august.lundquist01]

The only issue I have with the 7700 is that a Ryzen 2600 & b450 board actually costs less & it's better at multitasking.

Then factor,in you could,sell that board & i5 for $100 or so & actually be better off.

Ok so say I bought the new mobo and the Ryzen CPU, would I have to reinstall Windows OS etc. or will it boot normally? Also I've never had an AMD CPU, is it very different or is it basically the same?

Yes I would recommend reinstalling windows, it may still boot if you don't but you will almost definitely run into some kind of issue if you don't. Drivers and certain windows settings are different depending on the platform.

It's a CPU. CPU's process information, same with an AMD or intel CPU. The way they do it is just a bit different. They both perform the same function, there is no major difference in terms of user experience between a ryzen cpu and an intel cpu of comparable performance. BIOS settings will probably be the only noticeable difference between the two cpu's in terms of user experience.

Ok another question, would I need a new cooler or is the cooler that comes with the CPU enough to cool it? I’ve been looking at some basic water cooling but would that overkill?

 

[Obakasama]

Stock cooler with the Ryzen CPUs are fairly good.

But as a side note, you mention having little experience in building a PC. Does this mean the PC you now have is a pre-built? For example, Dell or HP.

 

[august.lundquist01]

Stock cooler with the Ryzen CPUs are fairly good.

But as a side note, you mention having little experience in building a PC. Does this mean the PC you now have is a pre-built? For example, Dell or HP.

No I didn't build the PC myself, it was custom built buy the company I bought it from but it's not a Dell or HP computer.

 

[Obakasama]

Right. I asked the question because pre-built PCs from the big companies have OEM Windows licences which are typically locked to the motherboard. A custom-built may still have an OEM licence.

Just something to be wary of as it can be an unexpected cost.

 

[august.lundquist01]

Right. I asked the question because pre-built PCs from the big companies have OEM Windows licences which are typically locked to the motherboard. A custom-built may still have an OEM licence.

Just something to be wary of as it can be an unexpected cost.

If that's the case would I have to buy a new licens? If not, how would I reinstall Windows on my new PC, is there an easy way to do it? I read that it's recommended after changing CPU but I'm not sure how to do it.

 

[Obakasama]

Some recommend reinstalling Windows after a CPU change.
Reinstalling Windows after a motherboard change will avoid a lot of trouble.

This link may provide more insight on the licence issue: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/windows-10-licence-key/0cb23abc-7405-4ac4-a0a9-dc34b26975cf?auth=1

If you don't have backup discs for Windows, you can use the Media Creator tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

A guide which may be helpful: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html

The main thing is to save the files you want to keep on another hard disc. A full reinstall will wipe whatever is on the disc.

EDIT: I've seen claims the digital licence allows moving the licence (even an OEM one) to a new PC. I'm not so certain about this claim, in all honesty.

Windows 10 does allow basic usage even without an activated licence, but customisation is severely limited.

 

[august.lundquist01]

Some recommend reinstalling Windows after a CPU change.
Reinstalling Windows after a motherboard change will avoid a lot of trouble.

This link may provide more insight on the licence issue: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/windows-10-licence-key/0cb23abc-7405-4ac4-a0a9-dc34b26975cf?auth=1

If you don't have backup discs for Windows, you can use the Media Creator tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

A guide which may be helpful: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html

The main thing is to save the files you want to keep on another hard disc. A full reinstall will wipe whatever is on the disc.

EDIT: I've seen claims the digital licence allows moving the licence (even an OEM one) to a new PC. I'm not so certain about this claim, in all honesty.

Windows 10 does allow basic usage even without an activated licence, but customisation is severely limited.

Alright, thanks for the links! I'll research some more and come back if more questions comes up