CPU for gaming right now?

[Baterka]

I know Zen 3 is coming very soon, but I got a task to build 1400$ desktop (just desktop) right now (until christmas).

 

User I am building for will use this computer 90% for gaming and 10% for school level CAD modeling.

I am owner of i7-8700 (+1070Ti) and so far I had no reason to upgrade so I am using it as baseline.

 

I was listing through current Intels and Ryzens and as from benchmarks and specs I realized that there is small or no reason to really wait for Zen 3 or buy Ryzen at all...

I am aiming for CPUs around price of 9700K or 3700X. I am planning some light overclock (where something like SilentiumPC Fera 3 let me) but nothing extra.

 

As from my research it looks like 9700K is better deal while still faster in gaming than 3700X (hell even 9700 seems equal).

And whats more, new upcoming 5600X still not seems to be "gamechangery faster" so I dont see reason in buying it after christmas when they come.

 

Any recommendations what to buy then?

 

PS: I am planning to pair it with 16GB of RAM and 1660Super (or maybe 2060).. Or also wait for 3xxx?

 

 

[GDRRiley]

zen3 or zen2

a 9700k isn't a great buy

if your looking a 1660 super for a GPU you need to drop down to an R5 3600

[Baterka]

Just now, GDRRiley said:

zen3 or zen2

a 9700k isn't a great buy

if your looking a 1660 super for a GPU you need to drop down to an R5 3600

But why? Zen 2 not seems (in gaming) to beat Intel in any game I saw. And Zen 3 is not yet here and will not be until chrtistmas..

Also I realized I would pair it with 2060 Super more like than 1660 Super

[GDRRiley]

4 minutes ago, Baterka said:

But why? Zen 2 not seems (in gaming) to beat Intel in any game I saw. And Zen 3 is not yet here and will not be until chrtistmas..

Also I realized I would pair it with 2060 Super more like than 1660 Super

zen2 has the extra threads vs 9th gen and 10th gen is more expensive

its like 2-5% lost vs a 10600k

[Baterka]

9700k is like 80$ cheaper in my country than 3700X with no real benefit in gaming from benchmarks. (More threads is not really a benefit in gaming).

[Mister Woof]

Just gaming? Given you can't even find a 5600x or 5800x it's price doesn't matter. 

 

Also see Rzyen 5 3600 is hard to locate as well.

 

Right now reliable stock is 9700k for around $250-300 vs $250 for a ryzen 5 3600 or $310 for a Ryzen 7 3700x.

 

The 9700k will game better than both of those, and is less expensive now vs the 3600x/3700x being more expensive today than it was a couple months ago.

 

If you must buy now, a discounted 9700k is not a terrible choice. I'd say wait for a $300 5600x of you can't, but your guess is as good as mine of you can actually source one.

 

I've seen 9700ks as little as $200 at microcenter or recently $259 with promo code at newegg.

[Baterka]

14 hours ago, Mister Woof said:

Just gaming? Given you can't even find a 5600x or 5800x it's price doesn't matter. 

 

Also see Rzyen 5 3600 is hard to locate as well.

 

Right now reliable stock is 9700k for around $250-300 vs $250 for a ryzen 5 3600 or $310 for a Ryzen 7 3700x.

 

The 9700k will game better than both of those, and is less expensive now vs the 3600x/3700x being more expensive today than it was a couple months ago.

 

If you must buy now, a discounted 9700k is not a terrible choice. I'd say wait for a $300 5600x of you can't, but your guess is as good as mine of you can actually source one.

 

I've seen 9700ks as little as $200 at microcenter or recently $259 with promo code at newegg.

Thanks. This explanation proves my thoughts.

 

I am from central Europe so I cant buy at Canadian stores, but still 9700k is cheaper than 3700X in my country so I will buy it.