[SOLVED] Upgrade CPU i3 8350k to i7 9700k or Ryzen?

Jan 1, 2020
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Hello everyone,

I'm running the following spec at the moment:

CPU: i3 8350k
Mainboard: MSI Z370-A PRO
GPU: Saphire AMD Radeon 5700xt
RAM: Crucial 2x8GB 2133 MHz
PSU: be quiet pure power 500W (BQ L8-500W)
Resolution: 1920x1080

I'm playing COD MW and the performance feels really bad. The game priority on the taskmanager is somehow always on high which makes my discord lag really bad and it's hard to communicate with others. That problem can be fixed when I set the priority to normal but then the game get's these weird frame drops from around 160ish to under 100 and also the game sometimes freezes for 1-3 seconds which makes it unplayable.

So I was thinking, maybe it's time to upgrade my CPU. What do you guys think? Which parts can I keep, which parts do need a replacement? Should I go with Intel (maybe keep the mainboard?) or should I go with AMD?

I'm using this Computer only for Gaming on a 144Hz 1080p Monitor (might even go for 1440p while I'm at it)

Thanks for the help.
 
Solution
Are you monitoring CPU/GPU/RAM usage whilst in-game?

With the i3 being a strict quad core, I would expect that to be the main culprit.

Given you already have an 1151 board.... I'd probably lean towards sticking with Intel.
From the ground up, Ryzen represents a better value, but when you're looking at CPU+MB+(ideally) higher clocked RAM, you're going to be spending similar money.

Example:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $373.97
Prices include shipping, taxes...

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Are you monitoring CPU/GPU/RAM usage whilst in-game?

With the i3 being a strict quad core, I would expect that to be the main culprit.

Given you already have an 1151 board.... I'd probably lean towards sticking with Intel.
From the ground up, Ryzen represents a better value, but when you're looking at CPU+MB+(ideally) higher clocked RAM, you're going to be spending similar money.

Example:
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Best Buy)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $373.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-01 16:39 EST-0500


Vs

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-9700KF 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($349.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $349.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-01 16:39 EST-0500


Of course, if you went the Ryzen route, you could sell your current CPU+MB+RAM for.... maybe $150-$200, which would significantly lower the cost of the new platform.

It looks like an i3-8350K can be sold for ~$100 by itself though, with a bit of luck:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/164/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=i3-8350k&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

If it were me, I'd stick with Intel.


Not 100% convinced on that PSU though, especially if you were to add a 9700K and overclock it...
A 9700K at 5-5.1GHz can pull >200W, and a 5700XT peak can draw a little north of 250W. With the balance of your components adding a little bit, you'd potentially be running that PSU right at it's upper end more often than not. That PurePower L8 can provide 456W on the 12V rail...
 
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Solution
Jan 1, 2020
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Hey Barty, thanks for the input.

Yes I've been monitoring my CPU/GPU/RAM usage whilst ingame, the CPU is almost always on 100%, while the RAM is at about 60-70% and the GPU is at about 50-70% depending on the game.

If I stick with Intel, do I need faster RAM as well? If so, could you recommand RAM that would go well with the CPU and Mainboard?
It looks like my Mainboard only supports RAM up to 2666MHz (I'm not sure if I have to look for SPD speed or RAM speed): https://www.msi.com//Motherboard/support/Z370-A-PRO#support-mem-3

Should I upgrade the Mainboard as well?

Also which PSU do you think I should get for the setup?

I appreciate the help.
 

JaAntonio

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Hello, with Intel you don't need such speeds as ryzen CPUs. Your mobo supports up to 4400Mhz ram (Via OC), but you don't need it. I sugguest like Barty says to stay with Intel, buying the I7 and you will gain very good results in games. Also you could sell the i3 to buy some games or making some cash back for the newer power supply.

Edit:
Corsair CX750W would be the perfect choice, even the CX650W. But for that small difference in price buy the more Wattage one. Also, what cooler did you currently use?
 
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the 8350K is/was merely the 7600K with a new name/label and a 100 MHz clock speed jump, so, of course it is likewise plagued by 'too little thread count'-syndrome...

Flash to the BIOS that supports a 9700K, and get on with life! It might not be in first place, but, it darn well is likely no lower than in 3rd place at least!
 
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JaAntonio

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Barty1884

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If I stick with Intel, do I need faster RAM as well? If so, could you recommand RAM that would go well with the CPU and Mainboard?

Also which PSU do you think I should get for the setup?

You don't need faster RAM with Intel. There would be a measurable difference, but it's unlikely to be more than 1-2%. Keeping the 2133MHz kit should be fine.

As for a PSU, if that's a newer CX750 with a grey/black label, then that's a great choice. If it's older (Green), not so much...
 
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You don't need faster RAM with Intel. There would be a measurable difference, but it's unlikely to be more than 1-2%. Keeping the 2133MHz kit should be fine.

As for a PSU, if that's a newer CX750 with a grey/black label, then that's a great choice. If it's older (Green), not so much...

Oh okay I didn't know that about Intel, I always thought faster RAM is better. I ordered the CX750 with the black label. Thanks for your help!
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Oh okay I didn't know that about Intel, I always thought faster RAM is better. I ordered the CX750 with the black label. Thanks for your help!

Well, to a point yes, faster RAM (with tight timings) is "better".... but Intel is nowhere near as memory speed dependent as Ryzen is.

2133MHz to 3200MHz would see only 1-2% 'better' FPS in most titles.... In some, it may be as much as 10%. 1% and 0.1% lows are typically improved with faster memory too.

So, if you were buying new as there was only a couple of dollars difference, sure, opt for the higher clocked kit.
Given a 2x8GB ~3000MHz kit would cost about $65-$70 new, generally.... and a 2x8GB 2133MHz kit used should sell for <$40, I wouldn't say it's worth it at this time.
 
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