Transitioning from FX to 2015 Haswell
Transitioning from FX to 2015 Haswell
You're right about it being a superior upgrade route. The amount of RAM available far exceeds what DDR3 offers.
You don't have to buy the new cooler—it comes with the box. Older used models for 2133-2666mhz DDR4 are available at lower prices, while more people are switching to 3600mhz.
Problem resolved at eBay. Item details: Crucial 8GB DDR4 memory module, 2400 MHz, UDIMM, suitable for desktop systems.
The premium intel chips from earlier generations tend to be costly, likely because people are trying to maximize their existing setup without a clear upgrade route. Modern titles often face performance issues on a low-end 4c4t platform, so I’d strongly suggest considering alternatives to the i5. In my experience, investing in the CPU and using the cheapest available board works best. Ryzen chips function as system-on-chip units; their impact on performance is minimal, and they’re great for fast RAM. You can still get decent results with 2400/2666 RAM and manually tune it if desired. I built a reasonably affordable PC using a 2600x from Aliexpress for about £80. Unfortunately, the pandemic affected used prices significantly. Used 1600x chips are available on eBay at similar costs. Look for X-series chips—they offer comparable value but better boost speeds, reducing the need for overclocking and letting you use a more affordable motherboard. If cooling isn’t an issue, the Wraith Spire with its copper core is budget-friendly and effective. I own these on both my 3700x and 2600x models.
I reviewed the post afterward and shared my experience: I purchased a used Ryzen 5 1600 from eBay for £75—not the official model. I invested £100 in an ATX motherboard because I dislike ATX cases with PCIe slots. I also chose USB 3.2 Gen2 and Type C ports since they’re more suitable for me, and the ATX setup helps with overclocking as I don’t have an X-series board. I spent roughly £65 on 16GB DDR4 at 2666MHz (note: not ideal, but I’m fine with it).