Question i5-9600k upgrade path for 1440p gaming ?

[jakeusesbrushes]

What would be the best option for upgrading my i5-9600k?

Current Specs:
i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz
Z390-A Pro Motherboard
32GBytes of DDR4-3200 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

Thanks!

(Also not opposed to switching to AMD if needed)

 

[ohio_buckeye]

With a 6 core cpu with no hyper threading you are basically about new system time. You can probably start with a new gpu, then afterwards look at upgrading the cpu/motherboard.

I think the fastest CPU on that socket iirc is the i9 9900k which iirc was 8 cores 16 threads, but 9th generation is already 5 years old. I think I see some of them on eBay for around 250 bucks but if you’re spending that for a used CPU from 5 years ago then you aren’t too far from a more current CPU and board.

 

[boju]

Probably 14th gen. Amd are fast, especially their X3D models, but imho Amd is a risk. Just don't know if you'll be troubleshooting memory issues or whatnot. Things can go wrong for either side, i know that, just there seems to be more issues regarding these sorts of things with Amd than Intel.

Im assuming you mean an overhaul since you mentioned not being apposed to Amd which im assuming again you'd know the two platforms aren't compatible, so i believe you're going for a new build.

 

[jakeusesbrushes]

Probably 14th gen. Amd are fast, especially their X3D models, but imho Amd is a risk. Just don't know if you'll be troubleshooting memory issues or whatnot. Things can go wrong for either side, i know that, just there seems to be more issues regarding these sorts of things with Amd than Intel.

Im assuming you mean an overhaul since you mentioned not being apposed to Amd which im assuming again you'd know the two platforms aren't compatible, so i believe you're going for a new build.

Thanks for the reply! Yes I am not apposed to switching my build over to AMD (something like a Ryzen 9 5900) if that means I can get a great build that will last me awhile for a decent price. If I were to stay on Intel, would you recommend the i5-1400f or should I go i7-14700f?

 

[jakeusesbrushes]

With a 6 core cpu with no hyper threading you are basically about new system time. You can probably start with a new gpu, then afterwards look at upgrading the cpu/motherboard.

I think the fastest CPU on that socket iirc is the i9 9900k which iirc was 8 cores 16 threads, but 9th generation is already 5 years old. I think I see some of them on eBay for around 250 bucks but if you’re spending that for a used CPU from 5 years ago then you aren’t too far from a more current CPU and board.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I am running some pretty old gear in my system right now. I've been trying to find some good deals over that past few months on some updated components but haven't really come across anything of late.

 

[35below0]

What kind of performance are you getting now, and what do you want to get?

Your PSU, and it's age?

A RX 7800XT would be a stronk upgrade if you could fit it. The cost around $500
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2N...-rx-7800-xt-16-gb-video-card-rx7800xt-pg-16go

I think the fastest CPU on that socket iirc is the i9 9900k which iirc was 8 cores 16 threads, but 9th generation is already 5 years old. I think I see some of them on eBay for around 250 bucks but if you’re spending that for a used CPU from 5 years ago then you aren’t too far from a more current CPU and board.

$250 is 13th gen i5 territory, which is definetly a huge step up.

A 12th gen CPU would also be a big step up, and cheaper. So if budget is a concern, 12th gen has plenty to offer.

If upgrading to a 12/13/14 gen intel, a z690 board can sometimes be found for much less than a z790 board.

 

[jakeusesbrushes]

What kind of performance are you getting now, and what do you want to get?

Your PSU, and it's age?

A RX 7800XT would be a stronk upgrade if you could fit it. The cost around $500
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2N...-rx-7800-xt-16-gb-video-card-rx7800xt-pg-16go

Thanks for the reply! Right now on the games I have been playing I can easily get 75fps+ at Medium to High settings. But with all the new games coming out and recently getting into Escape from Tarkov, I have a seen a performance decrease. My power supply I believe is a Corsair 750 or 850 watt, and is ~1.5-2 years old.

 

[35below0]

My power supply I believe is a Corsair 750 or 850 watt, and is ~1.5-2 years old.

Knowing the exact model would be useful, so find out if you can. Maybe we tend to fuss over PSUs a lot on this forum but unfortunately there's still too many unreliable ones.
I'm not worried but i would like to know.

I think if you stay with your current system you have three choices, or tiers:

$200-300 - gets you basicaly a GPU comparable to what you already own. A 4060 might be a modest improvement, but if you're spending money, get more than a modest improvement.
~$500 - at this price point i think the RX 7800XT is unbeatable. Sometimes you can find one on sale going for something like $450-480 or less if you're lucky.
$600-700 - this is 4070 Super or higher territory and is the most you can get imo.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Y3...tx-4070-super-12-gb-video-card-zt-d40720h-10m
Depends on the game but some games will want more than a 9600K. In any case, if you're considering spending the money a 4080 Super goes for, you'd be much better off buying a completely new PC.

 

[35below0]

Thanks for the reply! Yes I am not apposed to switching my build over to AMD (something like a Ryzen 9 5900) if that means I can get a great build that will last me awhile for a decent price. If I were to stay on Intel, would you recommend the i5-1400f or should I go i7-14700f?

i5, hands down. 13th and 14th gen i7s are just in the middle of nowhere. i9 and i5 offer much better value.

Consider these three LGA 1700 CPUs:

i5 12600
i5 13600(K or non-K)
i9 14900

The F versions are usually cheaper, but if the price difference is small don't "save" money skipping on the iGPU. It can be really helpful if you're having a graphics card issue or if you want a multi monitor setup some day, etc.

 

[jakeusesbrushes]

Knowing the exact model would be useful, so find out if you can. Maybe we tend to fuss over PSUs a lot on this forum but unfortunately there's still too many unreliable ones.
I'm not worried but i would like to know.

I think if you stay with your current system you have three choices, or tiers:

$200-300 - gets you basicaly a GPU comparable to what you already own. A 4060 might be a modest improvement, but if you're spending money, get more than a modest improvement.
~$500 - at this price point i think the RX 7800XT is unbeatable. Sometimes you can find one on sale going for something like $450-480 or less if you're lucky.
$600-700 - this is 4070 Super or higher territory and is the most you can get imo.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Y3...tx-4070-super-12-gb-video-card-zt-d40720h-10m
Depends on the game but some games will want more than a 9600K. In any case, if you're considering spending the money a 4080 Super goes for, you'd be much better off buying a completely new PC.

My power supply is the Corsair CX750M. As far as upgrading my GPU, I would like to soon for sure. I got the 3050 ~1.5 years ago and it has been doing great despite being a little over 2 years old now. I haven't upgraded my CPU in a long time unfortunately which ultimately makes me want to go that route for the time being. I think I am leaning towards an i5 12600k with a Z690 board.

 

[boju]

12600k would be great. That'll last just as long if not longer than your existing build.

For cooling though, imo keep it air. Aio pumps eventually fail, not only that but other risks such as corrosion and leaks. For just gaming, a good air cooler like peerless assassin can cool even the 14700 decently.

 

[35below0]

My power supply is the Corsair CX750M. As far as upgrading my GPU, I would like to soon for sure. I got the 3050 ~1.5 years ago and it has been doing great despite being a little over 2 years old now. I haven't upgraded my CPU in a long time unfortunately which ultimately makes me want to go that route for the time being. I think I am leaning towards an i5 12600k with a Z690 board.

Sensible. And still gives you the opportunity to slot in an 14600K some day, if you want a CPU boost.

For cooling though, imo keep it air. Aio pumps eventually fail, not only that but other risks such as corrosion and leaks. For just gaming, a good air cooler like peerless assassin can cool even the 14700 decently.

Seconded. The only concern is whether a tower will fit in the case and whether the cooler fan will clear RAM. Some sticks are tall. Measure twice, and all that.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

If you have Microcenter’s close they’ve got a bundle deal I think with a z790 board, 16gb ddr4 and a 12600kf for 250. That might be worth entertaining.

For the graphics if you are looking at the 7800xt, might as well spend just a little more for the 7900 gre imo.