Transitioning from FX to 2015 Haswell
Transitioning from FX to 2015 Haswell
You're considering replacing your FX-8350 with an i5-4690K. It seems you're prioritizing performance over the newest components. With your GTX 980 Ti, you're already experiencing issues like stutters and dropped FPS in recent games. Your older FX has also had blue screens a few times a month, sometimes multiple times. If you're looking for reliable options, used parts can be a good starting point. Before committing to a used motherboard or CPU bundle, make sure to research thoroughly.
Secure an optiplex around $120 using a 3770, then discard any components you don’t need. The gap between Haswell and Ivy Bridge isn’t substantial, so a 3770 or K will likely match or exceed a 4690K. Alternatively, opt for the Haswell path and obtain a 4790K plus a Z97 board for roughly $120 combined.
PCPartPicker list includes CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core (£79.98 @ Aria PC) and Motherboard: Biostar B450MH Micro ATX AM4 (£54.25 @ Ebuyer). Memory options are Kingston HyperX Fury RGB 8 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 (£44.49 @ Amazon UK) and PNY Anarchy-X 16 GB DDR4-3200 CL16 (£61.98 @ CCL Computers). Combined total comes to £178.72, with shipping, taxes, and discounts applied where possible. Both listings were generated on July 7, 2020.
It remains financially advantageous over time, and as I mentioned earlier, I’m not too concerned about new hardware since the next upgrade is likely in 2-3 years. Additionally, this approach still results in higher overall expenses because I’ll need to invest in a superior chip later, plus it means accepting a budget-friendly motherboard.
You don't have to upgrade if this meets your needs. I'm just noting the option. Your idea of using an i5-4690k isn't ideal because you can easily get a newer 3200 with the same 4 cores and 4 threads, offering better performance and a smoother upgrade route. If you're looking to save even more, use everything available—you might get up to a 30% discount. Used i5 parts are typically older, especially the motherboard, which may fail after 3-5 years.
Don't consider this a great offer for a Haswell i5... What makes sense is to search for higher-quality refurbished components. Check out the link provided—this AMD Ryzen 5 1600 offers strong performance for its price, especially when paired with suitable motherboards and RAM from reputable sellers like SupaKomputa. It's often worth more value than similar new models.