A solid boost for FPS performance when paired with 2060 Super.
A solid boost for FPS performance when paired with 2060 Super.
The setup looks promising. A 3600 processor with an MSI 2060 Super is solid, and adding a 4K monitor is a great choice. Since GPUs aren't easily swappable, upgrading the CPU could boost performance by 10-15 FPS and keep up with future upgrades. Reviews suggest 3600s can handle GPUs similar to the 3080, making it a solid choice for both current and future needs.
I don't see any clear reason for a 3600 to hold back a 2060 super. If I were him, I wouldn't waste time since AM5 is launching next year. I have a 3600 and I'm skipping the 5th generation to wait for the 6th generation CPUs, which will be 5nm and probably better overall. This is just my approach, though.
At 4k resolution I’d review his usage patterns. It seems more likely the GPU is managing the CPU load.
He isn't anticipating high-end gaming performance, but 1440p would definitely be achievable. This prompted my interest in identifying the limiting factor in this configuration. The 4K capability is mostly for 2D tasks outside of gaming (it's a plus, I own the same monitor as you, LG 27GN950-B). I was curious whether the 5800X could consistently deliver smooth frames at around 144fps to maintain that 1440p output if necessary.
I don't see the reason for investing in a 5800X when the 3600 suffices. If your friend requires significant CPU power for his tasks (perhaps similar to CAD software or 2D applications), it could be beneficial if it boosts productivity and efficiency. Keep in mind that increasing resolution usually adds more stress to the GPU than the CPU.
Review thread counts on GPU and CPU to see if upgrading makes sense at 4K resolution.
If it ran at 1080p as I would have expected for the year 2060, a CPU upgrade might matter. The 2060 isn't really a 4K card.
Don’t lock in on future upgrades. Buy now with the knowledge you have. When you upgrade your 2060Super, think about testing a new GPU first. Save the CPU money—those funds could go toward better RAM, storage, cooling, or a more stylish case. Smart shopping wins!
Revising the discussion. My friend just got a 3070 Ti from Newegg Shuffle. He bought a 750W SFX for his Lian Li 150 because it was expected to be underpowered. Now the next thought comes up... wouldn't a 5800X with eight cores work well with an AMD 3600? Compared to that and increasing his RAM from 16 to 32GB (running at 1440 and 4K, Cyberpunk, MSFS, Apex, Civ 5), I think he could still boost performance by 10-15 frames per second and fix the bottlenecks. Am I mistaken? I've noticed 3080 getting limited by the 3600 in reviews, and some players who play tough games like Star Citizen say 32GB really improved stability and speed (Reddit). He currently uses a 3600 with a Noctua U12S Chromax 16GB G.Skill Trident Z Neo at 3600mhz.