Consider factors like performance, power consumption, and compatibility when selecting a CPU.
Consider factors like performance, power consumption, and compatibility when selecting a CPU.
I’d like to stay within a $200 budget for my CPU. I’m using a B450 board with the Gigabyte Aorus Pro WiFi and currently have a Ryzen 3 1200. I’m thinking about upgrading from that, so I’m looking at Ryzen 2600, 2700 (not the X version), and 3600 models. The main questions are: 1 – Will the performance boost from moving to the second or third generation Ryzen justify the extra about $70 compared to the 2600? 2 – Does the additional two cores on the 2700 offer enough value for roughly another $30 over the 2600? My GPU is a 1050Ti and I’ll likely switch to something like the 1660 Super or 5600XT. I’m still deciding based on benchmarks and aiming for at least 1080p 75 FPS in most games, with a desire to reach around 144 FPS. What’s the best choice?
I'm using the system mainly for gaming. For that, aim for around 3600 or 2600 cores—currently they're not providing much benefit.
It depends—yes, consider it if it fits your needs. You should check your wallet to see what you require. Generally, a GPU upgrade offers better performance for gaming compared to a CPU upgrade, so investing more may not always bring proportionally higher gains based on your situation.
2000 series, 2700X or higher, opt for 3600X if you can afford it. Non-X models run slower. Speed results from IPC and clock rate. If you can't get the 3600X (non-X), choose the 2700X for better clocks. Also, with a B450 board, initial issues are less likely, though it may not ship with the right BIOS for 3000 chips.
Sure, the IPC remains consistent due to identical architecture and core count. You can simply boost the clock speed to compensate for any performance drop. The 2700 non-X model costs around $150, while the 2700X is about $180. It seems unnecessary to pay extra for overclocking when you could use the funds for quicker shipping or a better GPU. As for the comparison between the 2700 and 3600 models, it depends on your priorities—performance tweaks versus overall value.
I'm feeling uncertain about giving my answer. When buying my 3600, I looked at various configurations and benchmarks. It really does outperform the 2700 in gaming since its extra cores aren't fully utilized yet. I chose the 3600 and my friend picked a 2600, but honestly there wasn't a big difference. I'm not disappointed with my choice and believe I'm prepared for the future. If you're looking for something with a higher refresh rate, I'd suggest a 1070 or 1080 GPU. With the newest RTX cards, they're often available at reasonable prices.
My end opinion is..... you are not buying a top end video card, your performance difference may only be that of 10fps for all I know, neither 3600 or 2700 would not bottleneck a 1660 or 5600xt as they are more or less entry level gaming cards. That said, the compatibility issue is a thing, I've been seeing a lot of 3000 series chips not posting in B450 chipset boards for lack of the bios to support it when shipped out. You have a 50% chance that a Ryzen 3600 will post in a B450 chipset. Flip a coin, that's your chances. Ryzen 2700 is my vote on a B450 board.
I can always refresh the BIOS, but it adds another risk element—I’m not entirely confident about doing that. I’ll probably stick with the 2600 unless I spot a discount on the 2700 soon.