Identifying areas for improvement. What upgrades would benefit you?
Identifying areas for improvement. What upgrades would benefit you?
Right now my setup includes 8GB of HyperX DDR4 RAM at 2133Mhz and an Intel i3 6100 processor. I don’t have any solid-state drives. My university projects have become larger and I’m experiencing noticeable slowdowns, crashes, and lag in Visual Studio and IntelliJ IDEA’s Java environment. I’m considering upgrading to improve performance, especially for games. I’m wondering if adding more RAM would help now, or if a new CPU is the better choice. I’m particularly interested in Intel’s latest i3 models. Switching to AMD seems unlikely at the moment because of financial constraints. If I did change to AMD, I’d have to wait until I can resume work and save up for a new system. Upgrading RAM might be feasible, but I need to check compatibility with my i3 6100. It’s worth noting that locally available RAM is often faster than 3000Mhz, so finding suitable 2133Mhz sticks could be more expensive. Any advice would be appreciated!
Wow, that's surprising! It seems like everyone around here is missing the mark. Using older i5 models for over 100 euros sounds pretty expensive.
It's funny how the prices for older Intel CPUs seem outrageously high. On the other hand, you can purchase a 6c/12t CPU from AMD for $85, paired with a suitable motherboard for around $80 (budget model B450).
It would certainly make sense as an investment since, eventually, you’d have the funds to replace the newest 16-core processor without any hassle, unlike Intel’s frequent socket changes over time.
Switching from a 2/4 chip to a 6/12 is quite significant... It's massive. If you're not aiming to overclock and funds are limited, an A320 (after updates) can handle even a 3600 at stock settings. I wouldn't choose a more affordable motherboard (even a B450) hoping to add a 16-core later and still get good performance, and I wouldn't suggest spending a lot on a motherboard for a 1600 if your budget is so constrained that you might not need or afford an upgrade path. A 1600 paired with an A320 is quite affordable and could work well after an update, offering a better alternative if not more expensive.
It's worth noting that the i3 9100F costs 50 euros less here. That makes it hard to decide which option is best, especially since the Ryzen might not be enough to justify the higher price.