How long will the i7 9700K be viable for new games? *updated 9/29

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Decided to preorder the i7 13700K and 32GB DDR 5 6000mhz ram. I figured to hell with it, I dont wanna upgrade until after 2025-26 again, so going out for ddr5 now, instead of paying extra for the mobos in 3 years when stock is low



Hey all.

Currently debating on getting a 4k monitor or a cpu upgrade.


Current system

i7 9700k @ 4.9Ghz
RTX 3080 12GB
32GB ram
1TB NVME SSD
3440x1440 144hz

How long will the 9700K still be able to run top titles?

I ask because I am considering a high end 4k 144hz monitor. I am aware most games wont push that much on current hardware, but the graphic fidelity is stunning.

My old 4k was a cheapy, and died, but I have struggled to enjoy 1080p, even 3440x1440 is a far far pale experience compared to my old 4k monitor.


So given my specs, what would be the wiser choice? Upgrade the cpu, or go for my dream high end 4k monitor?

I play mmorpgs, and tons of single player games. but I also enjoy multiplayer games at a non competitive level

[mimizukari]

It's already reaching the point where it's irrelevant with Elden Ring if you stream or do anything else on top of it. Upgrade your CPU.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originally posted by deneb altair vega:

It's already reaching the point where it's irrelevant with Elden Ring if you stream or do anything else on top of it. Upgrade your CPU.

How much of a performance boost would a 12700K be over the 9700k? I can reuse everything else then.

Going amd will require new cpu, mobo, ram, psu and cpu cooler.

Going 13700k will also require new mobo ram, cpu and psu.

Going 12700K will just require new cpu and motherboard. I'd prefer to not have to buy nearly a new system just to upgrade

[mimizukari]

you'd never want to go AMD. and I don't know, i use 12900K series and haven't really looked into 700K series, it's probably a hell of a lot better than what you have now if only for the thread director + 3 generations ahead.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originally posted by deneb altair vega:

you'd never want to go AMD. and I don't know, i use 12900K series and haven't really looked into 700K series, it's probably a hell of a lot better than what you have now if only for the thread director + 3 generations ahead.

AMD I had bad experiences with, so even if AMD is faster, I will stick to intel. Guess that makes me an intel fan boy? lol


Thanks. I am playing at 3440x1440 144hz and while it works well, I want to ensure another 5 years of peak gaming perfomance. I think Ill snag a 12700k.

[Ghost Robertson]

You'll have more bandwidth for that RTX 3080 with upgrading your motherboard too, iirc it'll go from pci-e 3.0 to 5. (although the card is 4.0)

It's a nice system you currently have though, All I'd do is add a bigger SSD.

[Illusion of Progress]

Going just on the first post, based on what you yourself say, it seems like a monitor upgrade is more worthwhile.

You explain that you're not quite satisfied with your current one because you desire 4K. You don't, however, say the same about your CPU. You just ask how long it will last, which is an unanswerable question for anyone besides yourself. If you haven't already naturally arrived at the decision you need more, then I get the impression you're okay with it right now.

Seems pretty obvious to me. Upgrade the display now since you want to. Upgrade the CPU when it's necessary. Preemptive upgrades that aren't already necessary shouldn't take precedence over something that is.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originally posted by Illusion of Progress:

Going just on the first post, based on what you yourself say, it seems like a monitor upgrade is more worthwhile.

You explain that you're not quite satisfied with your current one because you desire 4K. You don't, however, say the same about your CPU. You just ask how long it will last, which is an unanswerable question for anyone besides yourself. If you haven't already naturally arrived at the decision you need more, then I get the impression you're okay with it right now.

Seems pretty obvious to me. Upgrade the display now since you want to. Upgrade the CPU when it's necessary. Preemptive upgrades that aren't already necessary shouldn't take precedence over something that is.

My 4k monitor died and yeah I do miss my old 4k. I just worry if I buy a 4k monitor, how long the 9700k will be relevant, as I wont be upgrading again for another 3 to 5 years. If I can get another 5 years out of my cpu, 4k would be the no brainer for me

Originally posted by Ghost Robertson:

You'll have more bandwidth for that RTX 3080 with upgrading your motherboard too, iirc it'll go from pci-e 3.0 to 5. (although the card is 4.0)

It's a nice system you currently have though, All I'd do is add a bigger SSD.

Thanks. I have a 1tb nvme and a 2tb ssd. More space is nice, I can always upgrade that anytime if needed, those are much cheaper upgrades.


I am just so torn on 12700k upgrade or 4k144hz. When I played Elden Ring on 4k, it was like dating a model. Playing it on 1080 was like downgrading to an average date. 3440x1440 isnt supported and has black bars, and looks more like 1080 than 4k.


I bought a 1440p 165hz monitor but returned it, because 4k corrupted my taste buds for visuals. Guess ill sleep on it.


I do value everybodys opinions and insight. Thanks

[Illusion of Progress]

Originally posted by ToothlessRaider:

My 4k monitor died and yeah I do miss my old 4k. I just worry if I buy a 4k monitor, how long the 9700k will be relevant, as I wont be upgrading again for another 3 to 5 years. If I can get another 5 years out of my cpu, 4k would be the no brainer for me

Well, yeah, if you preemptively put yourself into a position where you're disallowing yourself from buying for a certain period of time, then you'll constantly be worrying if what you have will be enough until then. And, until that time comes, you won't be able to know.

The obvious answer to me seems to be to NOT put yourself in such restrictions and simply buy things when you need them. If you're trying to cut out waste and buy smarter, preemptively buying things based on "maybe" situations is actually working against that.

Seems obvious to me. You express a want for the monitor. You don't express wanting more for the CPU. Ergo, get the monitor. Though, your replies since the first post make it sound like you want to change the CPU despite that, so ultimately it's up to you.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originally posted by Illusion of Progress:

Originally posted by ToothlessRaider:

My 4k monitor died and yeah I do miss my old 4k. I just worry if I buy a 4k monitor, how long the 9700k will be relevant, as I wont be upgrading again for another 3 to 5 years. If I can get another 5 years out of my cpu, 4k would be the no brainer for me

Well, yeah, if you preemptively put yourself into a position where you're disallowing yourself from buying for a certain period of time, then you'll constantly be worrying if what you have will be enough until then. And, until that time comes, you won't be able to know.

The obvious answer to me seems to be to NOT put yourself in such restrictions and simply buy things when you need them. If you're trying to cut out waste and buy smarter, preemptively buying things based on "maybe" situations is actually working against that.

Seems obvious to me. You express a want for the monitor. You don't express wanting more for the CPU. Ergo, get the monitor. Though, your replies since the first post make it sound like you want to change the CPU despite that, so ultimately it's up to you.

Thanks.

Gigabyte M28U does have my eye. Ill, sleep on it and decide cheers.

[r.linder]

Originally posted by ToothlessRaider:

Originally posted by Illusion of Progress:

Well, yeah, if you preemptively put yourself into a position where you're disallowing yourself from buying for a certain period of time, then you'll constantly be worrying if what you have will be enough until then. And, until that time comes, you won't be able to know.

The obvious answer to me seems to be to NOT put yourself in such restrictions and simply buy things when you need them. If you're trying to cut out waste and buy smarter, preemptively buying things based on "maybe" situations is actually working against that.

Seems obvious to me. You express a want for the monitor. You don't express wanting more for the CPU. Ergo, get the monitor. Though, your replies since the first post make it sound like you want to change the CPU despite that, so ultimately it's up to you.

Thanks.

Gigabyte M28U does have my eye. Ill, sleep on it and decide cheers.

Avoid non-AORUS monitors from Gigabyte, quality control isn't great and warranty service is even worse.

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by ToothlessRaider:

Hey all.

Currently debating on getting a 4k monitor or a cpu upgrade.


Current system

i7 9700k @ 4.9Ghz
RTX 3080 12GB
32GB ram
1TB NVME SSD
3440x1440 144hz

How long will the 9700K still be able to run top titles?

I ask because I am considering a high end 4k 144hz monitor. I am aware most games wont push that much on current hardware, but the graphic fidelity is stunning.

My old 4k was a cheapy, and died, but I have struggled to enjoy 1080p, even 3440x1440 is a far far pale experience compared to my old 4k monitor.


So given my specs, what would be the wiser choice? Upgrade the cpu, or go for my dream high end 4k monitor?

I play mmorpgs, and tons of single player games. but I also enjoy multiplayer games at a non competitive level

I have a 9700K and a 12700K. Can't say there is much difference in the real world. I think your existing setup is just fine. One thing I would consider is perhaps get something like the new alienware oled monitor, it's the same resolution as you are at the moment so it's much easier to drive than a 4K but it of course has a high refresh speed and HDR - which is spectacular. I think it would make up for any negatives in your existing monitor.

[Illusion of Progress]

Well, OP directly states the lower resolution is the prime complaint with their current one, so I don't think replacing it with anything less than 4K will fully fix what they're unhappy with about it.

But I'm largely going off of what they stated. Maybe there's other differences that are leading them to dislike the image quality overall.

[Tiberius]

Dont upgrade yet. You really wont see any significant difference in term of gaming performance

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originally posted by deneb altair vega:

Originally posted by Tiberius:

Dont upgrade yet. You really wont see any significant difference in term of gaming performance

if they're upgrading for VRAM reasons then they should absolutely go with the 3060, most value for VRAM you can get.

I already own a RTX 3080, so buying a 3060 is not even a question I was asking.

Originally posted by Tiberius:

Dont upgrade yet. You really wont see any significant difference in term of gaming performance

I am going tom go with a 4k monitor instead

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by ToothlessRaider:

Originally posted by deneb altair vega:

if they're upgrading for VRAM reasons then they should absolutely go with the 3060, most value for VRAM you can get.

I already own a RTX 3080, so buying a 3060 is not even a question I was asking.

Originally posted by Tiberius:

Dont upgrade yet. You really wont see any significant difference in term of gaming performance

I am going tom go with a 4k monitor instead :supermanemblem:

Trying to keep your processing down, have you considered a 3840x1600 monitor? There are some really good ones around.