Is $60 sufficient for a valuable improvement?
Is $60 sufficient for a valuable improvement?
Hello, this is my initial attempt at posting and I’m trying to make sure I’m on the right track. Recently, my mom received a $60 gift card for an electronics store, and she handed it over to me. Could there be any PC component I should upgrade to see a clear boost in performance?
Approximate Purchase Date:
This Thursday
Budget Range:
$60 before shipping
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
I mainly rely on my PC for gaming
Are you buying a monitor:
No
Parts to Upgrade:
CPU, SSD, RAM, Motherboard, Case, Cooler
Do you need to buy an operating system:
No
Please note that if you’re using an OEM Windows license, you’ll need a new one when purchasing a new motherboard.
Preferred Website(s) for parts:
evoMAG.ro
Location:
Bucharest, Romania
Parts Preferences:
AMD
Overclocking:
Maybe
Multiple GPUs:
No
Your Monitor Resolution:
1920x1080
Additional Comments:
I currently own a Ryzen 5 1600x that I’ve overclocked to 4GHz since 2018, an AMD Wraith Max cooler as a gift for buying that CPU, a PowerColor RX 6650 XT 8 GB GPU, 16 GB of Corsair Vengeance 3000MHz RAM, an MSI B450-A PRO MoBo, a 1TB WD HDD, a 500GB Kingston A2000 SSD, and a Seasonic S12-II 520W PSU. All these fit into a Segotep And 8 case.
Recently, I upgraded my GPU with the hope of finally catching up on major titles like God of War or RDR 2. On the games I’ve tried and generally just used the PC, it runs smoothly, though it doesn’t exceed 100 fps (with a 100Hz monitor). Should I justify spending $60 on any part upgrades? I can’t afford an AM5 without also updating my motherboard and RAM, but if I found an AM4 CPU, what should be the minimum specs I aim for? And if the CPU isn’t worth changing, in what sequence should I replace parts to improve performance?
Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:
I have a gift card that’s restricted to purchases from the website I mentioned. At the moment, I don’t need anything else, but if I used it for something, it would be PC components.
I reviewed several vendors in your country and honestly, the Ryzen 3600 isn’t within reach of your budget. The most affordable option I found would still require around $70 (a tray version without a cooler). The Ryzen 5 3600 is out because prices there are double what you can afford. You’d have to consider a second-hand market instead. The positive part is I managed to locate a 3500x for just 175 RON, which is $40. This model differs from the 3600 in that it doesn’t support hyperthreading, so it offers only six cores and six threads. However, it still provides a solid performance boost for single-core gaming compared to a first-generation chip.
Your motherboard can handle 2xxx Ryzen, but it's uncertain if any local shops still carry models from that era. You might be able to upgrade the BIOS to support 3xxx and a 3600 would be ideal. If the board allows, you could even reach 5600. Perhaps something older? I don't know much about your local market, so it's not very useful for pricing advice.
In China you can purchase a 5600 for $68. If its cost matches the price in your area, consider buying it.
I reviewed several vendors in your area (many actually), and honestly, even the Ryzen 3600 seems out of reach for your budget. The most affordable option I found would still be around $70 (a tray model without a cooler). The Ryzen 5 3600 is not an option because prices there are double what you can afford. You’d have to consider a second-hand market. The positive part is I managed to locate a 3500x for just 175 RON ($40). This model differs from the 3600 in that it doesn’t support hyperthreading, so it offers only six cores and six threads. However, it still provides a solid performance boost for single-core gaming compared to an older CPU. It’s also a tray version, but you have $20 left for at least a basic tower cooler. If Evomag is the only place accepting this gift card, your main choice would be the Ryzen 3600 to make up the shortfall in cash (about $20 more than the card covers). The box version of the Ryzen 5 3600 is great news—it includes a cooler.
Thanks for your input! I checked my MoBo and found that with a BIOS update, a 5600/5600X CPU is possible. Right now I have a 3600 available, should I keep it or wait for the 5600 which costs around $90? Also, if I upgrade to one of those CPUs, will my Wraith Max cooler still fit, or would I need a better one?
If possible, consider adding a small amount of money to reach a total of 5600. This would be a good improvement over your current 1600. A 3600 or 3500x could also work well. You might also check the 5500 option.