What's the best price/performance PC I can build around a GTX1080

[Truthless]

I recently got my hands on a GTX 1080 and plopped it into my system. I have an i5 6600K with 16 gigs of memory on Windows 10. The 1080 replaced a RX480 which replaced a R9 280. So the computer is getting a bit old. When I installed the 1080 I was expecting a pretty substantial performance boost, but I barely noticed a difference. I checked my stats in task manager and found that my CPU was running at close to 100% most of the time, while the GPU was in between 60%-70%. So my goal is to upgrade my computer, I don't mind totally building a new computer based off of the 1080. I might upgrade the GPU again in the future, but likely not for several years. 

 

My budget is $600 USD, I can afford to go higher if the benefit is good enough. I live in Oregon, US. I am willing to reuse anything in my current build, but I would prefer to have this be future proof for several years if possible. I use two monitors, but only my 144hz one for gaming. The other is just for my discord or messenger. I only game at 1080p and I have a high refresh rate monitor I would like to utilize. I will try and link a pcpartpicker list of my current build as close as I can manage. 

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9Mdycq

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($220.88 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($34.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI Z270-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard 
Memory: Kingston FURY 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory 
Storage: Western Digital Blue 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($64.66 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($42.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 8 GB FTW2 DT Gaming iCX Video Card 
Case: Zalman Z9 NEO ATX Mid Tower Case  ($74.99 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Thermaltake Smart 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($44.99 @ Amazon) 
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.89 @ Amazon) 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($99.95 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: Dell P2217H 21.5" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor  ($138.99 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: Acer XFA240 bmjdpr 24.0" 1920x1080 144 Hz Monitor  ($179.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $922.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-08 22:00 EDT-0400

[Herman Mcpootis]

you could just make an upgrade to a ryzen 3600+ B450-A pro/tomahawk/gaming plus, and upgrade the PSU to a CX550 along with it. everything else should be fine, just try to manually oc the ram if possible.

[Beowulff83]

12 minutes ago, Truthless said:

My budget is $600 USD

I would think you may be better off getting a used 6700k  for around $200 usd.  That should last you awhile then you can look at a complete rebuild when you are ready.

[Truthless]

1 minute ago, Herman Mcpootis said:

you could just make an upgrade to a ryzen 3600+ B450-A pro/tomahawk/gaming plus, and upgrade the PSU to a CX550 along with it. everything else should be fine, just try to manually oc the ram if possible.

Is Ryzen 3600 about the best I can find for $200? 

[Truthless]

2 minutes ago, Beowulff83 said:

I would think you may be better off getting a used 6700k  for around $200 usd.  That should last you awhile then you can look at a complete rebuild when you are ready.

Would that give me around the same performance as a Ryzen 3600?

[Herman Mcpootis]

2 minutes ago, Truthless said:

Is Ryzen 3600 about the best I can find for $200? 

Pretty much.

[Truthless]

1 minute ago, Herman Mcpootis said:

Pretty much.

pcpartpicker is warning me about a possible bios update with the cpu and mobo combo, do you know anything about that?

[Beowulff83]

3 minutes ago, Truthless said:

Would that give me around the same performance as a Ryzen 3600?

No but you won't have to buy a new motherboard, ram and such either.   It should pair well with the 1080.  Like i said this will get you by until you wan't to do a complete rebuild. 

[Fasauceome]

8 minutes ago, Beowulff83 said:

I would think you may be better off getting a used 6700k  for around $200 usd. 

I have yet to see some of those, usually the 6700K is $250 at least. Ryzen for $200 makes more sense until skylake prices come down (which they may never)

[Herman Mcpootis]

1 minute ago, Truthless said:

pcpartpicker is warning me about a possible bios update with the cpu and mobo combo, do you know anything about that?

If it doesn't work right away then lookup "MSI bios flashback" on youtube and follow the video. You won't need a compatible CPU so no need to waste time ordering a bootkit from AMD.

[Beowulff83]

2 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

11 minutes ago, Beowulff83 said:

I would think you may be better off getting a used 6700k  for around $200 usd. 

I have yet to see some of those

ebay sold listings seen them from 200-250 recently 

[Truthless]

4 minutes ago, Herman Mcpootis said:

If it doesn't work right away then lookup "MSI bios flashback" on youtube and follow the video. You won't need a compatible CPU so no need to waste time ordering a bootkit from AMD.

So should I make sure to get an MSI board, or do all mobo manufacturers have a similar feature? 

[Fasauceome]

5 minutes ago, Beowulff83 said:

ebay sold listings seen them from 200-250 recently 

There's a small handful of 6700K bids that ended at $200 in the recent ended listings, most other listing is above $225 which makes it a pretty bad value for the dollar

[Herman Mcpootis]

12 minutes ago, Truthless said:

So should I make sure to get an MSI board, or do all mobo manufacturers have a similar feature? 

MSI is the only one with the feature on B450, but the B450M/AC is also compatible without needing an update.

[Beowulff83]

6 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

There's a small handful of 6700K bids that ended at $200 in the recent ended listings, most other listing is above $225 which makes it a pretty bad value for the dollar

Yes head to head the i7 is a worse value but looking at it to game at 1080p for a few years you spend less money as a whole getting it.