This Ryzen Threadripper 2950X offers excellent value for around $399 when new.
This Ryzen Threadripper 2950X offers excellent value for around $399 when new.
I've been diving into some research lately. As a console gamer, I'm feeling a bit bored during quarantine. I'm planning to assemble my first desktop computer. After about 25 hours of studying, I'm starting to understand more. LOL. A lot of time has passed. But I thought context might matter for my question. Micorcenter is currently selling the AMD Threadripper for $399, saving $500. I found this quite intriguing, but I'm not confident enough to finalize my build choices yet. Are these kinds of offers typical in PC parts? I don't want to invest $1200 in an RTX 2080 Ti and was considering a RTX 2070 as my top choice. Though that's still uncertain. Overall, it seems like a solid deal on the CPU. Am I mistaken?
This option isn't ideal unless you're handling extremely demanding multithreaded work. For games, it would perform poorly against a more affordable Ryzen 3600.
It's tough to judge what you're aiming for. You might find a better deal for $400, including the cost of an X399 motherboard, depending on your needs. I'm keen on such an offer—I already own an X399 (1920X) and can run heavy scientific computations using many cores. Zen+ plus four additional cores for $400 minus what you could get for your 1920x would be incredibly attractive. However, if you build from scratch, buying a full X399 board with no upgrade options isn't ideal unless you're targeting more than 16 cores; then the TR 3000 series is worth considering even at a higher price. Still, I might hesitate, but an AM4 16-core CPU could be similar in cost and still perform well for gaming or everyday tasks (and you could save by choosing lower core counts).
It seems my main focus is on gaming, especially AAA games. I aim for smooth performance with high frame rates and 1440p or 4K resolution. Coming from a PS4 Pro background, I’m thinking about the upcoming console lineup. I’d rather not spend all my money on PC builds if future consoles might offer even faster load times at 4K 120Hz. Despite this, I’ve really enjoyed the research so far and plan to have fun while setting it up.
I recommend investing in a 3600X or an overclockable i5-i7 processor. Allocate funds toward the most effective SLI configuration available. The upcoming consoles labeled "4K 120Hz" likely refer to either 4K resolution at 120Hz or games that use lower-resolution textures with upscaling, potentially compromising visual quality. Don't anticipate achieving true 4K clarity at 120Hz across any system, especially not for titles like Metro: Exodus.