Which processor is better to buy?
Which processor is better to buy?
You're considering upgrading your system with either the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. Your current hardware includes an RTX 2060 graphics card, a 550-watt power supply, and a Gigabyte ga-ab350-gaming 3 motherboard slot. You're looking at two options: the high-performance Ryzen 7 3700X or the more affordable Ryzen 5 3600. Given your planned games—CoD MW, Insurgency: Sandstorm, GTA V, etc.—you'll want to ensure the CPU matches your needs for stability and performance. Both CPUs should work with your setup, but the Ryzen 7 3700X offers better power delivery and thermal management, which is important for sustained gaming sessions.
These CPUs are all reasonably good. If you stay within your budget, the extra cores on the 3700x will be helpful when background tasks run alongside gaming sessions. You'll notice improved game performance by choosing the 3600 and then investing in a better cooler or an AIO liquid cooler. Higher temperatures allow for more overclocking and better stability. For someone focused mainly on gaming without other commitments, the 3600 seems like a solid choice. Enjoy your upgrades!
They match in terms of gameplay performance, but for tasks like video or photo editing, your Ryzen 7 with more cores and threads will make a difference. I can handle 4K videos in Premiere Pro and Photoshop smoothly, so the 3600 would be ideal for both gaming and productivity. Keep saving for upgrades later.
The 3600 is capable of handling many mods, but if you're mainly playing a heavily modded version, the 3700X might offer better performance and stability for your needs.
for gaming purposes, it would be unexpected if any modern 6-core chip lagged in a game, even with mods. It's been a while since I played GTA V, but I thought they were more memory-heavy than CPU-based. Both chips should handle the workload without problems, and there isn't much room for overclocking. If the mods you're using have active forums or threads, you might want to check what others recommend in terms of hardware needs.
You're on the right track. I'd choose the 3600 model. If cooling becomes an issue, you can always upgrade to a cooler later. It really comes down to how your case handles heat. Both options are solid picks, and the 3600 offers better value for your budget!
The costs here are quite high. In the USA, the 3600 model is extremely expensive. It’s more sensible to purchase the 3700x or 3800x for under $300 compared to the 3600.
your setup can't handle 65 watts of heat, so you should upgrade to a better case. the wraith spire is strong enough for 3600 watts, though it might be a bit noisy sometimes. a $20 single tower would solve that problem if needed. prices were around $175 a day or two ago, giving some optimism for those making a purchase.
Both CPUs are solid choices, but your decision hinges on whether you require the additional two cores.