Looking for a CPU upgrade and completely out of my depth
Posted by DeianiraJax@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I really want to upgrade my CPU since it's overdue (and subnautica 2 just came out) but I have no idea what to get. My current CPU is an intel core i5-7400 & subnautica 2 recommends an Intel Core i5-8400, or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (at minimum).
I asked my brother but he doesn't really know how to help & mentioned that certain CPUs might not fit my motherboard. I'm willing to upgrade my motherboard if it's necessary but I'd really like to avoid doing that.
I'm not looking to run games at ultra 4k hd raytracing mode, I just wanna play comfortably at 60fps on med-high graphics. I'd say my budget is like £200 with some wriggle room?
Any advice is very appreciated \^\^
SnooPandas2964@reddit
You can use ddr4 on lga1700... which would give you more performance than a 5600/x. However, I would avoid the 13900k/kf/ks and 14900k/kf/ks. The rest are pretty safe with new microcode plus come with a 5 year warranty, and 12th gen (or rather c0 dies so that includes recycled alder lake parts from the 13th and 14th gen like the 14500) never had the problem in the first place.
Something like the 14600k/kf would do you well, without having to upgrade ram, or if you do upgrade ram, it will be cheaper than ddr5, which all current platforms require.
If amd does rerelease the 5800x3d that would be another way to go as its still quite a good gaming cpu, but thats only a rumour atm and am4 x3ds are pretty hard to find these days which leaves the next best option, the 5600/x. Which, in gaming, is beaten by lga1700 cpus easily.
If you really don't want to upgrade motherboard you could get a 7700k, which would be an improvement, but a modest one.
I believe there was some kind of hack to get 9000 series cpus running on older lga1151 motherboards, but I don't remember it being necessarily easy or safe. I don't know much about it, tbh. I might even be thinking of a different gen. Probably not for you.
Here's a comparison of the 7700k vs a 14600k in benchmarks... for around the same price (at least in my area), though of course for the 14600k/kf you'd need a new mobo, make sure to get a ddr4 one if you want to use the same ram, and have reduced ram cost if you want to jump to 32gb.
https://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_core_i5_14600k-vs-intel_core_i7_7700k
Or even the 14400f, which would be cheaper, is still a lot faster than the 7700k
https://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_core_i7_7700k-vs-intel_core_i5_14400f
selectsyntax@reddit
Please list your current motherboard, case, and PSU models, as well as RAM speed and number of sticks.
Your current 7th gen CPU is a Kaby Lake architecture chip which uses the LGA1151 Socket and is compatible with 100 or 200 series chipsets. The socket is the CPU/motherboard interface, while chipset is part of the motherboard and facilitates communication between the CPU and other elements like RAM, hard drives, and GPU.
8th and 9th gen Intel CPUs do use the LGA1151 Socket but require the 300 series chipset. This means your current motherboard is limited to 7th gen Intel CPUs.
First option is the cheapest and simplest. Upgrade your CPU to an i7-7700 for about £50 or less. This CPU is a direct swap with your current CPU and is on par with the Ryzen 5 2600 for gaming performance. (If you can find an i7-7700k for £60 or less get that instead but avoid sketchy sources)
Second option is to purchase a new CPU and motherboard. If your current system is using DDR4 RAM this option could make more sense since there is a large selection of much more modern and efficient CPUs that are compatible with DDR4. For £200 my recommendation would be the Ryzen 5 5600x and a B550 motherboard (eg. MSI PRO B550M-VC WIFI Micro ATX AM4).
If your current system is using DDR3 RAM then option 1 is your best short term option. You could buy DDR4 RAM for option 2 but it will cost about £125 extra (£325 total). At that point it makes more sense to just save the £450-£500 it would take to get set you up with a very nice AM5 CPU+motherboard with DDR5 RAM.
OkSystem455@reddit
Did you at least attempt to run it on your current system?
DeianiraJax@reddit (OP)
Yup, low-med graphics + I updated my drivers and closed all unnecessary apps. Trust me, upgrading my hardware is a last resort. Highest FPS I hit was 30 and it sat at 20-25 most of the time.
I wouldn't mind playing it like that but it keeps dropping to 10 when I need to make quick decisions (like dodging enemies) which makes it very uncomfortable to play.
OkSystem455@reddit
What's your DDR4's speed?
dweller_12@reddit
PCPartPicker Part List
CustardCivil@reddit
You can upgrade to atleast ryzen 5 5600 but you need to get motherboard for it b450 you can atleast reuse your ram ddr4 on it
CustardCivil@reddit
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XFNWmr here's a ryzen 5 5500(this bit downgrade and a bit cheaper than ryzen 5 5600) + b550 motherboard $173.99
CustardCivil@reddit
Or b550 if you want newer model motherboard for it they usually cost $89+ Asus PRIME B550M-A WIFI II
ricepudding81@reddit
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and MB might £200 have look on ebay
DeianiraJax@reddit (OP)
More PC info:
Other higher-end games I play are cyberpunk 2077, oblivion remaster, bg3 & modern resident evil stuff. Though I don't really have issues w/ any of those except oblivion remaster.