Choosing the Right Processor for Your GTX 1660 6GB: i3 9100F vs i5 9400F
Introduction
When upgrading your PC, the choice between the i3 9100F and i5 9400F processors can be quite nuanced, especially when you're planning to pair them with a GTX 1660 6GB GPU. This guide will help you make an informed decision by weighing various factors such as performance, budget, and future-proofing.
Which Processor Should I Get?
The decision between the i3 9100F and i5 9400F comes down to your long-term planning, budget constraints, and immediate needs. Here are the key considerations:
If You're Future-Proofing Your System
For smoother multitasking and better performance in the long run, the i5 9400F is a better choice. With its additional cores and threads, the i5 9400F offers better scalability and future-proofing, given its solid performance and low power consumption.
If You're Budget Constrained and Planning Regular Upgrades
If you plan to upgrade your CPU every two years, the i3 9100F is a more budget-friendly option. Despite the slightly lower performance, the i3 9100F still provides excellent value for money, especially considering its competitive price point.
If You're Looking Long-Term
If you're planning on not upgrading for four years or more, the i5 9400F is still a solid choice. However, a better long-term investment might be the i5 10400F, which offers greater future-proofing at a slightly higher cost.
Current CPU Performance
If you already have a decent 6th gen or above processor, it's worth considering upgrading the GPU first. Unless you're gaming at 1440p or 4K with maximum settings, a new GPU is more likely to improve your system's overall performance. These high-resolution settings are more GPU-intensive, making the CPU less of a limiting factor.
Comparing CPUs: 9400F and 7700K
The i5 9400F is a clear upgrade over the i3 9100F in terms of performance and value. With virtually the same price difference, you get 50% more processing power, making it a significant upgrade. This makes the 9400F a no-brainer for most users.
Alternatively, if you're looking to future-proof, you could consider a used Core i7-7700K, which uses the same architecture as the 8th and 9th gen chips. The 7700K offers 4 cores and 8 threads at a single core turbo speed of 4.5GHz, compared to the 9100F's 4 cores and 4 threads with a 4.2GHz boost clock. While the 7700K is more powerful, a 7th gen chip is still sufficient for most gaming needs at full-setting, unless you're pushing for high resolutions or certain specific games.
Future Upgrade Considerations
When considering future upgrades, the i3 9100F is suitable for a GTX 1070 or any 1660 variant, including the 1660 Ti. However, if you plan to upgrade to an RTX 2060 or higher, or if you plan on doing gaming/streaming, the i5 9400F or even i5 10400F is recommended for better long-term performance.
The i3 9100F, with its higher turbo clock speeds, can handle the newer RTX 2060 Super or RX 5700 reasonably well in boost mode. However, stepping up to a RTX 2070 Series with the 9100F might start to waste GPU power due to the limited quad-core architecture. Therefore, if you can see yourself realistically upgrading to an RTX 2070 or higher, or if you plan on doing extensive gaming or streaming, skipping the 9100F and opting for the i5 series would be a wiser choice.
At around $85, the i3 9100F is an insanely good value that you should consider. However, it's priced to go up, so purchasing it now ensures you get the best deal before prices increase.