u/Burakkuada

Hi all,

I’m upgrading my i7-8700K and I've hit a crossroads. My goal is 240fps in Valorant at 1440p.

Current Specs:

• GPU: AMD RX 5700 XT
• Case: NZXT H710
• Monitor: 1440p 240Hz
• Current RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 (Bought for £50 before the current price hikes).

Due to the memory shortage, I’m torn between two paths:

1. Option 1: The Intel Path (£510)
   • CPU: i7-14700K
   • Mobo: MSI B760 Gaming Plus WIFI DDR4 (One of the few DDR4 boards in stock).
   • RAM: Keep my current 32GB DDR4.
   • Concern: Will a B760 board handle the 14700K’s power draw without VRM throttling? I plan to use a liquid cooler.
2. Option 2: The AMD Path (£600 gross / £460 net)
   • CPU: Ryzen 7 7800X3D
   • Mobo: Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX
   • RAM: Upgrade to 32GB DDR5-6000.
   • Math: Total cost is £700, but I can sell my current DDR4 sticks for about £100, bringing the "real" cost to £600.

My Question: Is it worth the extra effort to sell my RAM and jump to the AM5/DDR5 platform? Valorant is super CPU-dependent, and I've heard the 3D V-Cache is king for 1% lows. Also, should I be worried about putting a 14700K on a mid-range B760 board?

Thankyou!