F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Looking for upgrade ideas around $350 for an i5-6600?

Looking for upgrade ideas around $350 for an i5-6600?

Looking for upgrade ideas around $350 for an i5-6600?

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megsterz
Member
208
09-05-2021, 05:26 PM
#1
You're planning to refresh your son's setup. The current specs are an i5-6600, 32GB RAM, and a 6600xt processor. You're evaluating the MSI Pro Z690-A WIFI DDR4 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE at around $390 on Amazon. You're checking if there are better options before making a decision within the next few days. Your main goals are staying within a $350 budget and ensuring the RAM stays DDR4. You're open to Intel or AMD CPUs, with overclocking and IGP as nice-to-haves but not essentials.
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megsterz
09-05-2021, 05:26 PM #1

You're planning to refresh your son's setup. The current specs are an i5-6600, 32GB RAM, and a 6600xt processor. You're evaluating the MSI Pro Z690-A WIFI DDR4 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE at around $390 on Amazon. You're checking if there are better options before making a decision within the next few days. Your main goals are staying within a $350 budget and ensuring the RAM stays DDR4. You're open to Intel or AMD CPUs, with overclocking and IGP as nice-to-haves but not essentials.

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Hezo69
Junior Member
20
09-10-2021, 03:54 PM
#2
If you skip the E-Cores, you might also consider the B760M PG Riptide. With the external clock generator, you could still boost the i5 12400F, which is a chip that really benefits from overclocking—especially for games needing more than 30% extra performance. Just note you'd need to switch to DDR5 memory, though the board itself will save around $50 and the cheaper CPU should make it feasible.
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Hezo69
09-10-2021, 03:54 PM #2

If you skip the E-Cores, you might also consider the B760M PG Riptide. With the external clock generator, you could still boost the i5 12400F, which is a chip that really benefits from overclocking—especially for games needing more than 30% extra performance. Just note you'd need to switch to DDR5 memory, though the board itself will save around $50 and the cheaper CPU should make it feasible.

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GreenLightFabi
Senior Member
696
09-10-2021, 04:03 PM
#3
This enhancement doesn’t significantly impact gaming performance. (Even with an M.2 drive.) However, he’ll be able to run W11. Updated August 23, 2023 by leclod
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GreenLightFabi
09-10-2021, 04:03 PM #3

This enhancement doesn’t significantly impact gaming performance. (Even with an M.2 drive.) However, he’ll be able to run W11. Updated August 23, 2023 by leclod

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Lordlochie
Member
214
09-10-2021, 05:44 PM
#4
I just finished setting it up for my daughter. All I added was the RX6750XT for a top-tier gaming setup. Around £320 in the UK, which is roughly $300 in the US.
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Lordlochie
09-10-2021, 05:44 PM #4

I just finished setting it up for my daughter. All I added was the RX6750XT for a top-tier gaming setup. Around £320 in the UK, which is roughly $300 in the US.