Question 2600x versus 3600x at $100 difference. Upgrading from i7 3770 paired with GTX 1080.

[Golgatha]

My son is wanting to upgrade his computer. I think the AMD path with a B450 motherboard is the way to go currently since he's wanting to do a full system overhaul. Cost is an issue, as he'd like to get it all for around $400 (only needs CPU, motherboard, and 16GB DDR4) or less if possible. My suggestion is to get a 2600x at Microcenter for $99 and upgrade to 3000 or 4000 series CPU later down the road if needed. He'll be pairing whatever we build with a GTX 1080. A 3600x is about $100 more than the 2600x. For mainly gaming, is the additional cost worth it? I think no, but I'd like to get other opinions if you think it is worth it and why. TYIA for your thoughts.

 

[Hitman928]

Depends on what resolution he plays at, but in general I'd go with a 3600 (non x).

 

[mopardude87]

Here we go, quite a bit cheaper then a 3600 and while not as fast its sure to be a decent to good upgrade especially on the threaded games. More or less a rebadged 2600 on 12nm i believe?

Are you a human?

www.newegg.com

Edit: added review

 

[Golgatha]

So, a 1600 AF seems to be the way to go. Thanks for the feedback. Ordered some parts off of Amazon (CPU was only $85!) for about $250 shipped!

 

[Golgatha]

Depends on what resolution he plays at, but in general I'd go with a 3600 (non x).

1080P monitor. Nothing too taxing for a 1080 8GB.

 

[Timmyotule]

1080P monitor. Nothing too taxing for a 1080 8GB.

If it's a higher refresh rate monitor, 120 Hz or higher, than the 3600x could be worth the extra $100. The 1600 AF will work well though and is the best value.

 

[Golgatha]

If it's a higher refresh rate monitor, 120 Hz or higher, than the 3600x could be worth the extra $100. The 1600 AF will work well though and is the best value.

It's a 144Hz monitor with Freesync enabled. Most taxing game he plays is Destiny 2, so I think he'll be ok.

 

[blckgrffn]

I don't the the 3600(x) is ever worth it. The difference between the x and non x basically comes down to cooling as near as several reviews have shown. My 3600 non-x will sit at 4.05 ghz all day with all cores loaded with its Noctua cooler.

The AF is an amazing value, but I would have likely paid the $14 for the higher out of the box boost clocks and I think better cooler (stealth vs spire) on the 2600x. Of course you actually have to go to MC for that as well, which isn't exactly desirable...

And my MC is showing is the 2600x as $130?!? Crazy!

 

[Golgatha]

I don't the the 3600(x) is ever worth it. The difference between the x and non x basically comes down to cooling as near as several reviews have shown. My 3600 non-x will sit at 4.05 ghz all day with all cores loaded with its Noctua cooler.

The AF is an amazing value, but I would have likely paid the $14 for the higher out of the box boost clocks and I think better cooler (stealth vs spire) on the 2600x. Of course you actually have to go to MC for that as well, which isn't exactly desirable...

And my MC is showing is the 2600x as $130?!? Crazy!

Yeah, the price hopped up to $130 for the 2600x this week here locally as well.

 

[2is]

I say pick up a 2nd hand 2700x. I have a 2700x box and a 3770k box. At 1080p with a GTX 1080 you won't be disappointed.

 

[Golgatha]

The build is finished. The 1600AF Cinebench R20 score is around 2900 points when overclocked to 3.8Ghz, and that's Prime and looping Heaven stable. We did go with an aftermarket Cooler Master Evo heatsink, and it keeps things nice and cool. Even when running Prime for about an hour, the highest temp I recorded was 76°C. Hard to believe I got him upgraded with a beast of a CPU, 32GB of 3200Mhz DDR4, new motherboard, and aftermarket HSF for right around $300. He's also got a nice upgrade path if he wants more power in the future with the Ryzen 4000 series.