Is the I9 9900k a good upgrade for video games?

[Landvader07]

So I want to replace my Intel Core I5 8600K with a better processor and I think a I9 9900k would be a good buy because it's LGA 1151 and because its a core I9 and I don't want to get a new motherboard

[Eigenvektor]

I would say not really worth it anymore. It's essentially 5 generations out of date at this time. But it depends on what you're doing with that machine and what your expectations are with that upgrade. "It's an i9" doesn't mean much when current gen i5s or maybe even i3s might be faster already.

[Meowth LVL255]

9 minutes ago, Landvader07 said:

So I want to replace my Intel Core I5 8600K with a better processor and I think a I9 9900k would be a good buy because it's LGA 1151 and because its a core I9 and I don't want to get a new motherboard

My friend just upgraded from an i5 6400 to an i5 12600kf and it seems to be faster overclocked than my 9900k is stock. It's a really good cpu and its not expensive. Try looking into that. Although, if you were looking to get an i9 only, I'd defiantly just go with the latest one and a good cooler.

[Landvader07]

ok il try to see if Matt will get me a new motherbord

[Dedayog]

37 minutes ago, Landvader07 said:

So I want to replace my Intel Core I5 8600K with a better processor and I think a I9 9900k would be a good buy because it's LGA 1151 and because its a core I9 and I don't want to get a new motherboard

If you can get one cheap, sure. My 9900K ran BG3 very well.  Just note that it has to be quite a bit cheaper than a Ryzen 5600+B450 motherboard to make sense, as that combo beats it and is barely over $200.

[starsmine]

34 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

I would say not really worth it anymore. It's essentially 5 generations out of date at this time. But it depends on what you're doing with that machine and what your expectations are with that upgrade. "It's an i9" doesn't mean much when current gen i5s or maybe even i3s might be faster already.

eh, skylake into icelake into alderlake/raptor lake
Its more like two gen old. 

[Eigenvektor]

13 minutes ago, starsmine said:

eh, skylake into icelake into alderlake/raptor lake
Its more like two gen old. 

If we go by architecture, rather than Intel's numbers, sure. I considered it, but thought it might be more confusing without additional context.

 

Doesn't change that e.g. an i5 14600K will beat that i9.

[Bagzie]

9 hours ago, Meowth LVL255 said:

My friend just upgraded from an i5 6400 to an i5 12600kf and it seems to be faster overclocked than my 9900k is stock. It's a really good cpu and its not expensive. Try looking into that. Although, if you were looking to get an i9 only, I'd defiantly just go with the latest one and a good cooler.

It's not just faster when it's overclocked it's faster full stop.

 

9900K was a good cpu but it's been superceded at this point.

 

That being said it's still perfectly capable of running every current game.

[Mister Woof]

If it's cheap/free why not?

 

I still use an 8700k on the regular for TV gaming and it's fine for the most part 

[YoungBlade]

It looks like the i9 9900K is currently selling for $260+ used on eBay.

 

But you can get a Ryzen 5 5600 with a good B550 board for just $230, which performs about the same for multi-core tasks, but is even faster for gaming. You could even get it for cheaper if you picked a lesser motherboard, like an Asus Prime B450M-A II for $80, making the total price under $200.

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BnYKxs

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B550 GAMING GEN3 ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $229.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-01-18 10:56 EST-0500

 

Therefore, unless you can get the i9 9900K for under $200, there is literally no reason to get it. You have a better option available on the new market, so why get yourself a used CPU?

[xg32]

12 hours ago, Landvader07 said:

.

as a 9900k owner, it's doesnt feel slow, but it is outdated, a 5600+b550 (5eggs) combo is 230usd on newegg and will outperform the 9900k. So it depends on what ur getting the 9900k for, i wouldn't recommend it.

[Meowth LVL255]

15 hours ago, Bagzie said:

It's not just faster when it's overclocked it's faster full stop.

 

9900K was a good cpu but it's been superceded at this point.

 

That being said it's still perfectly capable of running every current game.

I know it's outdated in terms of things just flying out the window for new stuff to come in, I understand all that, but I'm still amazed by the 9900k and the performance it's given me and will continue to give because I'm not upgrading myself for a long time. Seeing you say that the 12600kf is just a faster cpu altogether makes me happy I found it for my friend and that's all I want. I know he'll enjoy it. By my terms, I was using a 7700HQ mobile before the 9900k and it was great, but I felt the limitations.

[Mick Naughty]

It was an upgrade over my 8700k. Still struggles and holds my card back. Not worth dealing with the heat, I'd look into a lower end 12/13gen. Thinking of doing the same, somewhat newer I7 with a cheap ddr4 board.