CPU Upgrade Guides
Short answer: find your current processor below to see the best drop-in upgrade for your motherboard, the best new-platform upgrade, and how many FPS each one adds with a real graphics card.
| Your processor | Socket | Best drop-in upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 1600 | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+159%) |
| Ryzen 5 2600 | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+112%) |
| Ryzen 7 2700X | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+84%) |
| Ryzen 5 3600 | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+46%) |
| Ryzen 7 3700X | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+40%) |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+37%) |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+21%) |
| Ryzen 5 5600X | AM4 | Ryzen 7 5700X3D (+17%) |
| Core i5-6600K | LGA1151 | Core i7-7700K (+38%) |
| Core i7-7700K | LGA1151 | None worth it |
| Core i5-8400 | LGA1151 | Core i7-9700K (+37%) |
| Core i5-9400F | LGA1151 | Core i7-9700K (+30%) |
| Core i7-8700K | LGA1151 | Core i9-9900K (+12%) |
| Core i5-10400F | LGA1200 | Core i7-11700K (+38%) |
| Core i5-11400F | LGA1200 | Core i7-11700K (+22%) |
| Core i5-12400F | LGA1700 | Core i5-14600K (+36%) |
| Core i5-13400F | LGA1700 | Core i5-14600K (+19%) |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | AM5 | Ryzen 7 7800X3D (+24%) |
Should you upgrade the CPU or the GPU first?
Upgrade the part that is holding the other back. If your graphics card runs well below full use while the processor is maxed out, the CPU is the limit and a faster chip will raise your FPS. If the graphics card is already near 100%, a CPU upgrade will change very little and the money is better spent on the GPU.
Drop-in upgrade or new platform?
A drop-in upgrade uses the same socket, so your motherboard and memory stay. It is the cheapest way to gain performance, but a BIOS update is often needed first. A new-platform upgrade means a new processor, motherboard and often DDR5 memory. It costs more but gives you a longer upgrade path.
- Update the BIOS before you swap. Older boards often need a newer BIOS to recognise a newer chip. Check your motherboard maker’s support list first.
- Check the cooler. Faster processors can run hotter, so make sure your cooler can handle the new chip.
- Keep the old parts in mind. Selling the old CPU can lower the real cost of the upgrade.
Not sure which part is the weak link? Run the PC bottleneck calculator with your current CPU and GPU, then compare options in best CPU for your GPU.
See also the CPU tier list and the best GPU for your CPU.