Best sub-$150 AMD CPU to upgrade?

[Jack0f5pades]

TL:DR at bottom

 

I've been looking to upgrade my Ryzen 3 2200G to something with a bit more power, as I've recently been seeing some drawbacks of only having 4 cores 4 threads and integrated graphics when I already have a GPU. So, I looked into upgrading my CPU and landed on the Ryzen 5 1600 AF, which sells for the same price as my current processor but has 6 cores 12 threads. I was then told by someone else that microcenter is having a sale for the Ryzen 5 2600X for $100 (only $15 more than the 1600 af) and I would be getting a higher clocked CPU. When I told another person about me planning to get a 2600X, they responded that if I was looking at a 2600X, I should just save up a bit more and get a 2700X, with 8 cores 16 threads. These are on sale at microcenter for $140. So I've come to an impasse. I honestly need to upgrade a lot in my build (Asrock b450m-hdv to an Asrock b450m-pro4, gigabyte rx570 4g to gigabyte rx5500xt 8g, and 2200g to whatever I decide on) but I decided to tackle the CPU first since it's the only thing I'm not dead set on, and to me is the most important. I am looking for whatever will last me the longest and perform the best for the money I have ($150) and am having a hard time deciding. Thank you.

 

I have $150 and need to decide between the Ryzen 5 1600 AF, Ryzen 5 2600X, or Ryzen 7 2700X. Thanks.

[xg32]

if you are planning to use the pc for a long time, get the 2700x, it also comes with the best stock cooler.

[steelo]

Ryzen 5 1600af is a terrific 6c/12t cpu that overclocks quite well with a better cooler. I have it oc'd to 4.1ghz paired with a rx 5700 and it runs just about anything on 1080 ultra/1440p

[Mister Woof]

Personally, apply another $24 and get a 3600. The difference in IPC is much much more noticeable and well worth your $24.

 

Going from a 2200G to the 1600AF/2600/2700 will get you more cores and threads, but IPC difference is like...eh. You won't notice it almost at all outside of more multi-threaded apps.

 

The 3600 will get you noticeably more punch pretty much at everything.

 

https://www.amazon.com/AMD-Ryzen-3600-12-Thread-Processor/dp/B07STGGQ18/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=3600&qid=1582076043&sr=8-4

 

 

[greenmax]

I agree, with a little more peso's you can get a much better cpu.

Certain things you do not want to cheap out on, and the cpu is one of them. Mobo is the #1 to not cheap out on, because the cpu you can always upgrade later but its best to save money and get the cpu you want.

[dizmo]

You don't need anything more than the 1600AF if that's your setup. Spending more doesn't make sense. Will you need more cores in the future? Perhaps, but by then you might as well buy what's new on the market, or even a gen behind, and you're going to get substantially better performance than you'll see in a 2700x. People seem to get so hung up on the fact it might not be the best at rendering video....but that doesn't mean the 6/12 chip can't, it just means you'll be waiting a little longer.

 

32 minutes ago, xg32 said:

if you are planning to use the pc for a long time, get the 2700x, it also comes with the best stock cooler.

No. See above.

4 minutes ago, greenmax said:

I agree, with a little more peso's you can get a much better cpu.

Certain things you do not want to cheap out on, and the cpu is one of them. Mobo is the #1 to not cheap out on, because the cpu you can always upgrade later but its best to save money and get the cpu you want.

With his setup he won't see massive gains from a 3600 vs a 1600AF. It's more than twice the price.

[ChaoticChaosx]

3600 is a far better cpu than any of the others listed and with your upgrades planned it will be a great experience with current and upcoming titles.

 

[Jack0f5pades]

24 minutes ago, dizmo said:

You don't need anything more than the 1600AF if that's your setup. Spending more doesn't make sense. 

I've had this system for over a year and it's only begun to fall behind recently. After I got a VR headset and nothing was playable I realized it was time to upgrade, but I just didn't know to what extent. That's why I'm upgrading my CPU, Mobo, and GPU, since those three are what I need to make sure are up to date for VR. I didn't think I needed the extra clock speed of the 2600x or the extra cores of the 2700x, but I just really needed to hear someone else say it. Thank you.

[Mister Woof]

8 minutes ago, Jack0f5pades said:

I've had this system for over a year and it's only begun to fall behind recently. After I got a VR headset and nothing was playable I realized it was time to upgrade, but I just didn't know to what extent. That's why I'm upgrading my CPU, Mobo, and GPU, since those three are what I need to make sure are up to date for VR. I didn't think I needed the extra clock speed of the 2600x or the extra cores of the 2700x, but I just really needed to hear someone else say it. Thank you.

 

What do you do with your system again besides VR?

 

 

[Jack0f5pades]

1 minute ago, Mister Woof said:

 

What do you do with your system again besides VR?

 

 

VR as of recent, I've been using Openshot for video editing when I find project Ideas. I've recently been getting into blender for 3D stuff like simple animations and posters of models I like. Other than that, mostly online browser based stuff like spreadsheets or videos, or single player games with the occasional online Triple-A title when I can find the time. Pretty much as close to a jack of all trades (or as I like to say, Jack 0f all 5pades) as you can get. Why do you ask?

[dizmo]

5 hours ago, Jack0f5pades said:

I've had this system for over a year and it's only begun to fall behind recently. After I got a VR headset and nothing was playable I realized it was time to upgrade, but I just didn't know to what extent. That's why I'm upgrading my CPU, Mobo, and GPU, since those three are what I need to make sure are up to date for VR. I didn't think I needed the extra clock speed of the 2600x or the extra cores of the 2700x, but I just really needed to hear someone else say it. Thank you.

Yeah, with the parts you're getting it doesn't make much sense to get a 2700x even if it is a pretty good deal, and the 1600AF is only slightly slower than the 2600x.

If you live near the Microcenter might be worth it just to get it from them though, the 1600AF is only $85 from one seller and I'm not sure if they charge for delivery.

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Yeah, with the parts you're getting it doesn't make much sense to get a 2700x even if it is a pretty good deal, and the 1600AF is only slightly slower than the 2600x.

If you live near the Microcenter might be worth it just to get it from them though, the 1600AF is only $85 from one seller and I'm not sure if they charge for delivery.

Gah, no way. 2700X or bust. You get as much as you can with 150$. 

 

Max performance enhancement Lvl 4 (OC) 4.3ghz All core. (16t)

 

 

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, ShrimpBrime said:

Gah, no way. 2700X or bust. You get as much as you can with 150$. 

 

Max performance enhancement Lvl 4 (OC) 4.3ghz All core. (16t)

He doesn't need them, and the difference between even that and a 2600x is not worth $50.

[dreamcast4599]

i second the 2700 i have one and love it

 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

He doesn't need them, and the difference between even that and a 2600x is not worth $50.

From the OP it was 40$ difference. 

Was binned a flagship for a reason.

Would you like any screen shots, I happen to have a few? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dizmo]

2 minutes ago, ShrimpBrime said:

From the OP it was 40$ difference. 

Was binned a flagship for a reason.

Would you like any screen shots, I happen to have a few?

Unless you have screenshots of a direct comparison to a 2600x, it's irrelevant. Also, it doesn't matter, since his use case doesn't require it, and his budget would suffer because of it. He'd get way more performance from dumping that extra $50 (he has a budget of $150, not $140) into a better video card.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Unless you have screenshots of a direct comparison to a 2600x, it's irrelevant. Also, it doesn't matter, since his use case doesn't require it, and his budget would suffer because of it. He'd get way more performance from dumping that extra $50 (he has a budget of $150, not $140) into a better video card.

I will entirely agree with you there. 100% - Frame rates = VGA importance....

 

_______________________

Cpu talk-

So no, I cannot give 2600X screen shots. When released, I didn't stay home, went big. ( I have other Ryzen chips, just not that one )

From a multi-threaded standpoint (cinebench for example), my 2700X is faster than my 8700K (12t) - The 2600X can't touch the 8700K from any front. 

 

 

[MadAnt250]

23 hours ago, Jack0f5pades said:

I have $150 and need to decide between the Ryzen 5 1600 AF, Ryzen 5 2600X, or Ryzen 7 2700X.

 

21 hours ago, Jack0f5pades said:

VR as of recent, I've been using Openshot for video editing when I find project Ideas. I've recently been getting into blender for 3D stuff like simple animations and posters of models I like.

Ryzen 2700X would be good, at $140 that is a good deal.