Ryzen 5 1600
Ryzen 5 1600
This upgrade seems like a significant improvement over the Athlon 3000G. The 1600 offers better performance for your current games, though you'll likely need a dedicated GPU. Since you mainly run older titles like GTA 5, Fallout 3, and Fallout New Vegas, it should work well for light gaming.
The 1600AF represents a simple improvement over previous models. It’s essentially a 2600 with slightly reduced performance, moving from two Zen+ cores to six pseudo-Zen+ cores. You’ll likely see better results than before. When looking at current listings on Amazon, the value of the 1600AF makes sense. Charging more than $250 for a Ryzen 5 2600 or over $300 for a Ryzen 5 3600 is quite steep.
It's a solid move, though the R5 1600 isn't a great deal. You could get a R5 3600 for around $30-40 more, and the performance gap plus compatibility issues are significant. It makes sense to check the used market, especially local sites like Craigslist or OfferUp. I’d likely limit spending on a R5 1600 to under $100, and if you spot a R5 3600 for $150 or less, that’s a better choice.
It wouldn't be worth the money right now. The speed is too slow. However, if you're using older games, it doesn't really matter. I wouldn't buy it from Amazon either; I'd check local sites like FB marketplace or Craigslist. You'll end up paying more on Amazon.
I’d opt for a 5600g setup in your case, even if you locate an affordable GPU—you’d still need a 1600AF since it’s slower.
I have $175 available for a new CPU and am cautious about buying from the used market in my area. I’ve had some bad experiences before. This is mainly for a secondary machine that’s being rebuilt, so a powerful CPU isn’t essential right now.
You're considering a $120 CPU but thinking about a version that costs roughly double that amount.
In this market, every budget choice seems to offer poor value. The 3000G costs close to $100, while the 1600 is over $150—both significantly above MSRP. The 5600G is currently selling below its recommended price. If MSRP mattered, I’d support getting an 1600AF for $85. That chip was a good deal when it was available. I’d also suggest swapping in the 3000G for $50 or opting for a Ryzen 3 3300X at $120. The issue isn’t that low-end CPUs can’t work well; it’s that such options are rare right now. The 5600G is essentially the most affordable AMD CPU you’d want to buy, provided your board supports it. If not, the 1600AF would be a close alternative, though it doesn’t perform very well either.