Question Z170 w/ I3-6100 upgrade advice

[Theredranger]

I've been browsing prices on skylake/kaby lake I5 and I7 processors to upgrade. I am wondering if I'd just be better off buying a new ryzen mobo and cpu. My setup is an ASUS z170a, I3-6100 (bought it with the expectations of skylake overclock, didn't work out🙁) XFX Rx580, 2x8gb ddr4 gskill 3200mhz. The I5 goes for about $220 and the I7 6700k goes for around $300. I've read that the I5-6600k is steadily showing its age and since the I7 is $300+ I'm considering a new amd mobo and cpu maybe a more future proof investment. The ryzen 5 2600x + an Asus prime X570-P mobo combo is $275 and I can use my current ram in the new board. If you were going to be in the $300 range for a cpu upgrade what direction would you choose.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ryzen all the way, baby!

 

[Steltek]

Agree, definitely Ryzen.

 

[Theredranger]

Feels a little bad having had spent the money on the skylake setup but I figured ryzen would be the way to go. Thanks

 

[Steltek]

Feels a little bad having had spent the money on the skylake setup but I figured ryzen would be the way to go. Thanks

I think you're making the right decision in this case by cutting your losses.

You'll save money over the dead-end i7 upgrade option (don't forget that the $300+ i7 will not include a CPU cooler, so you have an additional expense there). The AMD option will get you a good CPU upgrade including a Wraith Spire cooler and a more advanced motherboard with further upgradibility for down the road just with a BIOS upgrade. Everything else transfers to the new system, so no loss there. You could try to sell the i3 and Z170 MB for whatever you can get for them.

Sounds like a very smart decision to me.