[SOLVED] Overspending on CPU vs GPU

[Joe07]

Hey!

Should I overspend on CPU and get an i5-12600k with a decent motherboard and an RTX 3060 or / Ti , or should I overspend on GPU and get a 3070 with an i5-12400 or 12600?

I'm really confused as to what will yield better performance in the long run. I tend to stick with my build for at least 5-7 years. Primary usage for gaming.

 

[Wolfshadw]

No one knows what is going to happen in the gaming world. The next game you decide you want to play may be GPU dependent or it may be CPU dependent. Personally, I don't have a problem turning down graphic settings, so I would spend more on the processor and less on the graphics, but that's just me.

-Wolf sends

 

[Why_Me]

Hey!

Should I overspend on CPU and get an i5-12600k with a decent motherboard and an RTX 3060 or / Ti , or should I overspend on GPU and get a 3070 with an i5-12400 or 12600?

I'm really confused as to what will yield better performance in the long run. I tend to stick with my build for at least 5-7 years. Primary usage for gaming.

What is your monitor resolution, what country are you located, what is your budget and will you be reusing any components?

 

[Historical Fidelity]

I generally get the best cpu I can then only upgrade my graphics card when needed. Unless you have a high refresh rate low resolution monitor like 1080p/1440p 165-360 hertz, then 9 times out of 10 your graphics card is more important so upgrading that is more important. I generally keep my cpu/motherboard/ram combo for 7 years while upgrading the graphics card every 2 or 3 years to keep up with more demanding graphics.

 

[falcon291]

Hey!

Should I overspend on CPU and get an i5-12600k with a decent motherboard and an RTX 3060 or / Ti , or should I overspend on GPU and get a 3070 with an i5-12400 or 12600?

I'm really confused as to what will yield better performance in the long run. I tend to stick with my build for at least 5-7 years. Primary usage for gaming.

The price difference between 12600K and 12400 is about 70 USD
But the price difference between RTX 3060 and RTX 3070 is more than 200 USD.

Buy RTX 3060, you can replace it later with a new card after this chip crises ends.

 

[Why_Me]

The price difference between 12600K and 12400 is about 70 USD
But the price difference between RTX 3060 and RTX 3070 is more than 200 USD.

Buy RTX 3060, you can replace it later with a new card after this chip crises ends.

Along with a $60 difference in cost for a B660 board and entry level Z690 board.

 

[Joe07]

No one knows what is going to happen in the gaming world. The next game you decide you want to play may be GPU dependent or it may be CPU dependent. Personally, I don't have a problem turning down graphic settings, so I would spend more on the processor and less on the graphics, but that's just me.

-Wolf sends

That's definitely a nice point of view, I don't usually max out graphical settings in games.

What is your monitor resolution, what country are you located, what is your budget and will you be reusing any components?

1080p 144hz, Egypt, got around $2100 for the whole build. No reusing of any components. If you were to search online for prices in my country please take them with a grain of salt as they aren't 100% accurate.

I generally get the best cpu I can then only upgrade my graphics card when needed. Unless you have a high refresh rate low resolution monitor like 1080p/1440p 165-360 hertz, then 9 times out of 10 your graphics card is more important so upgrading that is more important. I generally keep my cpu/motherboard/ram combo for 7 years while upgrading the graphics card every 2 or 3 years to keep up with more demanding graphics.

I do have a 1080p 144hz monitor so I guess it will get more and more GPU dependent eventually.

The price difference between 12600K and 12400 is about 70 USD
But the price difference between RTX 3060 and RTX 3070 is more than 200 USD.

Buy RTX 3060, you can replace it later with a new card after this chip crises ends.

Where I live the price between 12600k and 12400 is roughly $130

The difference between 3060 and 3070 ranges from $130, $190, and $250 depending on the exact model. 3060 to 3060 ti is around $100-$120 difference.

 

[hotaru251]

I'm really confused as to what will yield better performance in the long run.

depends.

some applications/games favor 1 or the other more.

like take Civilization type games; the best gpu in world wouldnt really efefct it as much as a cpu would (as it mainly favors cpu)
on flip side games like Control or assassins creed odyssey benefit more from a good gpu than a better cpu.

overall CPU effects system responsiveness where even a budget GPU can play games (albeit with settings lowered in newer titles)

also unless u can get 1 for MSRP its a bad time to buy a gpu.

 

[Why_Me]

That's definitely a nice point of view, I don't usually max out graphical settings in games.



1080p 144hz, Egypt, got around $2100 for the whole build. No reusing of any components. If you were to search online for prices in my country please take them with a grain of salt as they aren't 100% accurate.


I do have a 1080p 144hz monitor so I guess it will get more and more GPU dependent eventually.



Where I live the price between 12600k and 12400 is roughly $130

The difference between 3060 and 3070 ranges from $130, $190, and $250 depending on the exact model. 3060 to 3060 ti is around $100-$120 difference.

B660M + 12400/12400F + 2x8GB DDR4 3200mhz RAM + 650w psu + RTX 3060 Ti would be the sweet spot for 1080P.

 

[Why_Me]

B660M + 12400/12400F + 2x8GB DDR4 3200mhz RAM + 650w psu + RTX 3060 Ti would be the sweet spot for 1080P.

I'll use this UK website for an example seeing how the Brits have a better selection of B660 boards than we have here in the US. These two boards are priced well enough and have decent VRM's.

https://www.box.co.uk/PRO-B660M-A-DDR4-MSI-PRO-B660M-A-DDR4-Motherboard_4108196.html
MSI PRO B660M-A DDR4 £129.99 inc VAT

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B660M-A-DDR4

https://www.box.co.uk/B660M-GAMING-X-DDR4-Gigabyte-B660M-GAMING-X-DDR4-Motherboard_4110683.html
Gigabyte B660M GAMING X DDR4 £133.38 inc VAT

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B660M-GAMING-X-DDR4-rev-10#kf

 

[Joe07]

B660M + 12400/12400F + 2x8GB DDR4 3200mhz RAM + 650w psu + RTX 3060 Ti would be the sweet spot for 1080P.

I'll use this UK website for an example seeing how the Brits have a better selection of B660 boards than we have here in the US. These two boards are priced well enough and have decent VRM's.

https://www.box.co.uk/PRO-B660M-A-DDR4-MSI-PRO-B660M-A-DDR4-Motherboard_4108196.html
MSI PRO B660M-A DDR4 £129.99 inc VAT

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B660M-A-DDR4

https://www.box.co.uk/B660M-GAMING-X-DDR4-Gigabyte-B660M-GAMING-X-DDR4-Motherboard_4110683.html
Gigabyte B660M GAMING X DDR4 £133.38 inc VAT

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B660M-GAMING-X-DDR4-rev-10#kf

Can I pair an i5-12400 / 12600 with a low-end Z690 motherboard such as MSI Z690 Pro-A ? B660 motherboards are yet to be available in my country or should I wait and get a high-end B660?

Thanks man.

 

[Why_Me]

Can I pair an i5-12400 / 12600 with a low-end Z690 motherboard such as MSI Z690 Pro-A ? B660 motherboards are yet to be available in my country or should I wait and get a high-end B660?

Thanks man.

A 12400/F will work fine with a Z690 but those boards are expensive.

 

[Joe07]

A 12400/F will work fine with a Z690 but those boards are expensive.

Alright, I'll probably wait for B660 boards to come available. Thanks mate

 

[4745454b]

Something else to think about, it's a pain to replace the board and CPU. And with GPUs being so expensive compared to MSRP, you'll be overpaying for it anyway. You might want to get a good CPU now, one that can last through several builds. Buy a cheaper GPU now, upgrade to what you want if/when the overcharging stops. Right now the better frame rates will be provided by the faster GPU. But there are reasons to avoid going that route.