Looking for guidance on selecting a CPU? Consider your needs and budget carefully.
Looking for guidance on selecting a CPU? Consider your needs and budget carefully.
Hey there, I see you're thinking about a CPU upgrade. Given your current i5-6500 is hitting its limits even after overclocking, and the newest games demand more than 4c/4t, you're right to weigh your options. With a tight budget, you might want to consider a used i7-6700k for extra threads and official overclocking support while keeping your existing board and cooler. Alternatively, investing a bit more could pay off with a Ryzen, especially if you plan to use the machine for gaming for the next couple of years. Let me know what you think!
It varies based on your setup and goals. For Ryzen, a new motherboard and possibly new RAM are recommended to maximize performance. A 3600Mhz RAM is ideal for third-gen Ryzen; otherwise, consider upgrading. If you're sticking with Intel, a 9700K or 6700K might be better. Prices for boards and chips differ, so research costs and expected performance gains.
I’m planning to upgrade my graphics card and RAM soon. Right now I’m using a Gigabyte Z170-HD3P, so sticking with Skylake or Kaby Lake makes sense. My main concern is whether an i7-6700K would be enough for now or if switching to Ryzen would be better. It seems like the push for upgrades has only grown since I noticed my CPU runs at full capacity in games like CoD:MW and Detroit: Become Human. I’m wondering if adding more threads for a lower cost could help temporarily, but honestly, saving money on something that’s quickly becoming outdated isn’t really worthwhile.
The situation is clear, I'm not debating whether the third-gen Ryzen matches Skylake or Kaby Lake in speed. What matters now is whether you can opt for a budget-friendly option—like a used 6700k around 180€—that works well for games that depend a lot on multithreading. Or you'd prefer to invest four times as much and get a Ryzen right away. If money isn't an issue, I'd go with the Ryzen immediately. Unfortunately, it seems that would be the case. If the 6700k underperforms like my current 6500, then it wouldn't be worth the investment. Ideally, someone who owns or used a 6700k should share their experience on how it handles the latest titles.
They investigated and discovered it's really problematic to land a 6700k. Choosing a 3600 or 2700x offers more than just speed—it also opens up a smoother upgrade route, and definitely the 6700k will become noticeable in 2020 titles, particularly in games like Cyberpunk 2077.
The 6700k is currently a solid choice, though not ideal for the next 2-3 years depending on your financial situation and what you discover. A newer Ryzen setup would probably be around $400 for the 3600 or $500 for the 3700x. If you spot a used 6700k for $100, it could be a decent short-term solution, helping you through about a year until you can invest in a more substantial upgrade.
AMD's leader chose the perfect title to excite veteran players! The 2600 is available at discounted prices. It's unclear how long the AM4 line will last, but you can begin on a very affordable setup with the 2600 and a mATX B450.