I7 8700k still worth it?
I7 8700k still worth it?
It's a great deal to have the 8700K + RoG Strix Z370 card for just 400 CAD. Even used bundles like this are rare here. If I can snag one at this price, I'd upgrade to an i7 3960X—no need to stress about RAM since I already have spare DDR4. I checked, and a MSI B450 Mortar MAX with an R5 3600 would cost roughly 40 more CAD locally. But if you can find a B450 board paired with an AMD R5 3600 or even a lower model, definitely go for it.
I was checking the 3770k and 2600k models and realized 4c/8t would be sufficient. My concern came up because I believed it was a solid offer. I might consider switching to AMD just for the price. I wasn’t planning to purchase new components—the 8700k and motherboard were both available on classifieds. How much would an R5 1st generation cost? Also, does the i7 3 960X use a different socket besides 1151? Plus, I’m not sure how to overclock, so would a B450M with a R7 2600 for 2 cad be a good deal?
I’d purchase it at that price for a solid offer. The CPU performs well and should last longer. Keep in mind pairing a budget GPU with a high-end CPU will leave you unsatisfied. That CPU combination will struggle with modern games, especially if you lower the settings. Your Cinebench numbers will be impressive, but you’ll need to play at low resolutions to enjoy AAA titles. Still, it’s a great setup for future GPU upgrades when you can afford more. I’d prefer a Ryzen 2600 or 3600 with a compatible motherboard over a 2600+ board. A 3600+ board can be found for about $200, which adds value. A 1050ti works on an Athlon 3000 (or similar budget CPU), but not as well as a newer chip. An 8700k isn’t ideal for it, even though the deal is great. A 1050ti costs around $150 on the lower side, plus the $200 you’d save, bringing you into the 5700/XT/2060S range—perfect for a Ryzen 2600. This means a much smoother gaming experience and a well-balanced build overall. Welcome to PC building—it’s a rewarding and enjoyable passion. Whatever you decide, GLHF
I’m thinking about this a bit. My first experience with PC building was swapping into a prebuilt unit. It could really refresh an old setup and cut costs. My previous build had just a hard drive, a couple of GPU generations, a decent CPU, and a noisy stock fan. Upgrading was simple—switched to a 500 GB SSD for booting and games, replaced the old GPU with a newer one, kept the CPU but added a Hyper 212 Evo cooler. It felt like a fresh system overall, and the SSD plus GPU gave it a much better feel. The cooler also made it comfortable to sit around. Just a reminder!
The 2600 would remain a constraint later on, wouldn't it? If he wants to keep the system running beyond a couple of years, it doesn't seem worthwhile. A 3600 + mobile would be ideal, but a deal for 8700k plus a mobile for 400 seems more practical. The 8700k offers better performance and should last at least five years. Also, consider whether you'll assemble the computer yourself—it can be challenging, so watch some guides if needed.
It costs around $150 USD and looks like a solid offer. The MSI B450 Tomahawk is popular among users. For your Gigabyte B450 Aorus M, a 2060 KO, 5600 XT, or 5700 would be a great upgrade.
Thanks to everyone, I’ve made great progress choosing my PC components. I’m officially moving to AMD and planning to go with the B450M.
The response is uncertain. I support the idea if he has funds and plans to pair it with a higher-end model. However, if he runs out of cash and needs a 1050ti, the performance gains won’t be significant. If he prefers a solid starting point and intends to upgrade the GPU later, I’m open to that. The 2600 seems suitable for now, but its success depends on how much future consoles utilize multiple cores. My current i5 3350P has lasted longer than expected, even with limited core usage, though it rarely reaches full capacity. With more cores added quickly, it might not be fully utilized, and only a few cores handle the workload. I’d consider the 2600 if budget constraints limit GPU purchases, but it could become a constraint if games rely heavily on CPU power soon.
I’m not aiming for heavy gaming sessions, but I’m considering the Ryzen 5 2600 since it includes built-in graphics. I might hold off on purchasing a GPU until I find a better deal. For the R5 2600, there are several motherboards available; you may want to check common options in case you can’t locate one. Regarding the GPU, something higher than the 1660 Ti fits within your $400–$450 CAD budget.