Choose a budget CPU compatible with your GTX 760.
Choose a budget CPU compatible with your GTX 760.
I'm setting up a PC for my dad mainly for trading stocks and watching YouTube. My friend gave me an old GTX 760 and I know my sister might want to play Sims 4 or edit photos in Lightroom sometimes. I’m trying to decide what CPU to buy while keeping costs low but still getting decent performance on Windows 10. I have plenty of 8GB DDR3 RAM, so should I stick with an older i5 like the 3570 or 4590? That feels outdated. Would it be better to invest a bit more in a Ryzen 3 and just upgrade the RAM instead? Any advice would be appreciated.
For a sample build you can check: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zh6dhg
Alternatively, 1200AF works too.
My initial thought is either B450 + Ryzen 3 3100 or Optiplex 390/790 with a fresh PSU. A 3010/7010 could work, but you’d likely need an adapter for the USB 3.0 front-panel to fit the GPU. If you plan to upgrade later, definitely choose the Ryzen path. If your family just wants to use it as-is until it stops working, opt for Opti and move on. I wouldn’t waste time searching for old parts or assembling a patchwork system from outdated components. It won’t be worthwhile financially.
My previous setup uses a 3570 and 760 processor. Performance with games like Sims 4 and other apps was poor, mainly because of the CPU speed. It works okay for browsing stocks, web, and YouTube, but you'll see much smoother operation with a newer machine. Using older components can shorten the device's life, especially if you're budgeting for it. The trade-off between cost and performance varies by person. We should focus on either needing strong performance or staying within a certain budget to give you better advice. For me, a 3rd generation Ryzen (3300X) would be ideal if you can find one at a reasonable price—around $120 MSRP. It should have at least 8GB RAM, preferably 16GB with 3200+ speed dual-channel memory, and a solid B450 motherboard. Right now, finding these parts is limited, so you might have to pay a bit more than the MSRP if you're not willing to wait. Also, consider getting a decent power supply unit (PSU) of bronze or better.