CPU or GPU upgrade? Which way to go?

captain_69uk · 18 Aug 2022 at 18:37

Hi all,
Thanks for looking at my post...
Long time gamer and currently have this build. I play a lot of FPS games (Apex Legends the most and have gone back to PUBG recently!). I want to upgrade either the CPU and motherboard (RAM and drives can stay) OR the GPU. Which do you think would get me the best performance increase? Thanks.
i5 6600K @4.3Ghz
MSI Z170A GAMING M5
EVGA RTX 2060 XC BLACK
16GB Corsair DDR4-3200
Corsair RM650
2x Crucial 1TB SSD
1x WD 1TB HDD

I was thinking of going for either i5 11600k and z490 motherboard or go for an rtx3060.
Would love to know your thoughts.
Thanks again gang.

Tetras · 18 Aug 2022 at 18:41

I'd go for 12th gen, not 11th gen, better upgrade path and performance, unless you have some other reason for that choice. Once the mainstream cards are out (might be around Q1/Q2 2023) then you can replace that too.

3060 isn't really worth it from a 2060 unless the cost is small due to sale.

captain_69uk · 19 Aug 2022 at 00:18

OK thanks. I've just discovered the 'F' variety of i5's. Based on some reviews a 12400f looks like it will be close to a 12600k in terms of fps in games (especially if overclocked) but I can't quite believe the price difference...

Tetras · 19 Aug 2022 at 00:51

captain_69uk said:
OK thanks. I've just discovered the 'F' variety of i5's. Based on some reviews a 12400f looks like it will be close to a 12600k in terms of fps in games (especially if overclocked) but I can't quite believe the price difference...

It will, especially at higher resolutions, but the K is the only i5 that has 4 E-Cores and it has a better IGP than the 12400 (except -F versions which have none) and less limited memory OC at the upper end because it has unlocked voltages.

Not all boards are able to overclock the 12400f either, I don't think (though power limits, almost all boards can do that).

Haz123 · 19 Aug 2022 at 10:14

captain_69uk said:
OK thanks. I've just discovered the 'F' variety of i5's. Based on some reviews a 12400f looks like it will be close to a 12600k in terms of fps in games (especially if overclocked) but I can't quite believe the price difference...

The 12400f and 12100f are superb value chips and if you are on a tight budget they are excellent choices. You are in a bit of a limbo time and I suggest you wait for AM5 and Intels 13th gen Raptorlake and see if there is great value chips there or if there are bargains with AM4 and 12th gen after they are released. Forget about 10th/11th gen for your upgrades.

Moving from a 2060 to a 3060 would be an odd move this late into the 3000 series lifespan. If you could sell yours and get a 3060 cheap so it cost you under £100 it would be a good idea but the performance uplift would only be in the region of 30-40% and next gen due in the next 6 months.