Ryzen 5 1600

[HesCalledTheStig]

Is this a good step up from an Athlon 3000G?  I dropped my 3000G and bent the pins beyond repair. The 1600 is the cheapest option for replacement on Amazon at the moment. I realize I will need a dedicated GPU but that is no issue. I just need to know if this will work for light gaming or if I should hold out for something else. I mainly play older games on this pc such as GTA 5, Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas.  

[YoungBlade]

If you're talking about the 1600AF, then that's just a straight upgrade. The 1600AF is basically a 2600 that's clocked a bit lower, so you're effectively going from 2 cores of Zen+ to 6 cores of pseudo-Zen+. It should perform quite well compared to what you had before.

 

Compared to the other prices I'm seeing on Amazon right now, I can see why the 1600 interests you. Paying over $250 for a Ryzen 5 2600 or over $300 for a Ryzen 5 3600 is outrageous.

[RONOTHAN##]

It's a good step-up, but the problem is the R5 1600 is a pretty terrible value. You can get a R5 3600 for like $30-40 more, and the performance difference, as well as overall compatibility, is night and day. 

 

You're probably gonna be better off looking on the used market, especially local listings like Craigslist or OfferUp. I personally wouldn't spend any more than $100 on a R5 1600, and if you can find a R5 3600 for $150 or below (not that uncommon to see), go for that. 

[Mister Woof]

Wouldn't pay for the 1600 right now. It's quite slow.

But if you're playing old games, it doesn't really matter. I wouldn't pay for it off Amazon, though. I'd look locally on FB marketplace, craigslist, or anywhere else. You'll overpay on Amazon.

[gsk07765]

What about 5600g. You might spend more but at least it came with iGPU and it will show better results.

[YoungBlade]

3 minutes ago, gsk07765 said:

What about 5600g. You might spend more but at least it came with iGPU and it will show better results.

If the OP is on a B450 or X470 motherboard, that would actually be a much better option. I was assuming the motherboard was probably an A320 board, so 5000 series wasn't an option

[xg32]

24 minutes ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

Is this a good step up from an Athlon 3000G?  I dropped my 3000G and bent the pins beyond repair. The 1600 is the cheapest option for replacement on Amazon at the moment. I realize I will need a dedicated GPU but that is no issue. I just need to know if this will work for light gaming or if I should hold out for something else. I mainly play older games on this pc such as GTA 5, Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas.  

i'd go for a 5600g build in ur situation, even if u find a cheap gpu you'd still have to find a 1600AF, cause the 1600 is slow

[HesCalledTheStig]

I have a total of $175 that I can spend on a new CPU and I do not trust the used market in my area. Been burned one too many times. This is just a secondary pc to my main rig that is being rebuilt at the moment so a high powered cpu isn’t a priority. 

[aisle9]

13 minutes ago, gsk07765 said:

What about 5600g. You might spend more but at least it came with iGPU and it will show better results.

Classic LTT

 

"I'm on a budget and looking at this $120 CPU."

"Buy this one that's literally twice as expensive instead."

[YoungBlade]

7 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

Classic LTT

 

"I'm on a budget and looking at this $120 CPU."

"Buy this one that's literally twice as expensive instead."

In this market, all the budget options are awful value. The 3000G is going for nearly $100 and the 1600 is going for over $150 (not sure where you got $120 from) and both of those are nearly double MSRP. Whereas the 5600G is selling for below MSRP at the moment.

 

If we were in a market where MSRP was a thing, I'd be all for the OP getting a 1600AF for $85. That CPU was a steal in the brief period it was available. I'd also be recommending just replacing the 3000G if it was available for $50 or getting a Ryzen 3 3300X for $120.

 

The problem is not that budget CPUs can't be good. The problem is that budget CPUs basically don't exist right now. The 5600G is basically the cheapest AMD CPU worth buying, because it isn't awful value, but if the OP's motherboard doesn't support it, then the 1600AF is probably the next best thing - and even that isn't great.

[gsk07765]

9 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

Classic LTT

Ok. I understand that it hard to swalow but its clear that its only good solution today. In other case you will waste your money (remember we do not discuss used market). And i know what Im saying - upgraded from 200g this year to 1200.

At least it was cheap and I have an old GPU - but it is bad investment.

[HesCalledTheStig]

1 minute ago, YoungBlade said:

In this market, all the budget options are awful value. The 3000G is going for nearly $100 and the 1600 is going for over $150 (not sure where you got $120 from) and both of those are nearly double MSRP. Whereas the 5600G is selling for below MSRP at the moment.

 

If we were in a market where MSRP was a thing, I'd be all for the OP getting a 1600AF for $85. That CPU was a steal in the brief period it was available. I'd also be recommending just replacing the 3000G if it was available for $50 or getting a Ryzen 3 3300X for $120.

 

The problem is not that budget CPUs can't be good. The problem is that budget CPUs basically don't exist right now. The 5600G is basically the cheapest AMD CPU worth buying, because it isn't awful value, but if the OP's motherboard doesn't support it, then the 1600AF is probably the next best thing - and even that isn't great.

My board will support it. I’m not worried about that. I’m just in a tight spot with cash. We just bought a new house and everything is budgeted for that. I literally have $175 left in my play money account and need to get this pc up and running. 

[HesCalledTheStig]

1 minute ago, gsk07765 said:

Ok. I understand that it hard to swalow but its clear that its only good solution today. In other case you will waste your money (remember we do not discuss used market). And i know what Im saying - upgraded from 200g this year to 1200.

The 1200 was the other option I looked at but I figured I’d get more bang for my buck with the 1600. 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

The 1200 was the other option I looked at but I figured I’d get more bang for my buck with the 1600. 

Could always consider a 1400. 4c8t. Nice inbetween chip maybe.

[HesCalledTheStig]

3 minutes ago, ShrimpBrime said:

Could always consider a 1400. 4c8t. Nice inbetween chip maybe.

If I can find one it’s an option. There are none on Amazon. 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

If I can find one it’s an option. There are none on Amazon. 

I'd go used off ebay myself. Probably find them under 100 bucks. Not a very sought after cpu.

 

Think there is a 1500/x also...

[aisle9]

3 minutes ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

The 1200 was the other option I looked at but I figured I’d get more bang for my buck with the 1600. 

I know you're hesitant about the used market, but I'll throw this out there because I think it makes sense:

 

There is an eBay seller with 1600X CPUs listed for $109+shipping. They have 174 feedback, all positive aside from one BS neutral (customer bought the wrong kind of charger and blamed the seller). They have sold internal computer components in the past--positives from Polaris cards in there. Let me put that again: on 73 sales over 10 years, the seller has 72 positives and one neutral they received because their buyer was an idiot. I would trust that seller and I like that price...by 2021 standards, anyway...given that you already have a good-enough cooler if you don't overclock the hell out of it.

 

If anything at all is wrong with the CPU or not as described in the slightest, you have 30 days post-delivery to return it at the seller's expense, no matter what the seller's return policy says, by opening up an Item Not as Described return through eBay directly--but most sellers will work with you without involving eBay if something's wrong. I'm putting it out there because I really do think this is the best option for you. If you just need something functional and you just bought a house, don't sink $175 into a brand-new 4-year-old chip that's now four generations behind.

[HesCalledTheStig]

3 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

I know you're hesitant about the used market, but I'll throw this out there because I think it makes sense:

 

There is an eBay seller with 1600X CPUs listed for $109+shipping. They have 174 feedback, all positive aside from one BS neutral (customer bought the wrong kind of charger and blamed the seller). They have sold internal computer components in the past--positives from Polaris cards in there. Let me put that again: on 73 sales over 10 years, the seller has 72 positives and one neutral they received because their buyer was an idiot. I would trust that seller and I like that price...by 2021 standards, anyway...given that you already have a good-enough cooler if you don't overclock the hell out of it.

 

If anything at all is wrong with the CPU or not as described in the slightest, you have 30 days post-delivery to return it at the seller's expense, no matter what the seller's return policy says, by opening up an Item Not as Described return through eBay directly--but most sellers will work with you without involving eBay if something's wrong. I'm putting it out there because I really do think this is the best option for you. If you just need something functional and you just bought a house, don't sink $175 into a brand-new 4-year-old chip that's now four generations behind.

I guess I could give eBay a shot.  I was referring more to my local used market.  Facebook marketplace has but me in the ass 1 too many times. If I were to go the eBay route, what would you think the best cpu $175 could buy would be?  If I’m going to buy used, I’m going to swing for the fences and use what I have budgeted. I just don’t want to go beyond that $175 threshold. If I can beef the system up a bit and toss my old 1060 in it for a GPU, I’m all about that. 

[aisle9]

22 minutes ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

I guess I could give eBay a shot.  I was referring more to my local used market.  Facebook marketplace has but me in the ass 1 too many times. If I were to go the eBay route, what would you think the best cpu $175 could buy would be?  If I’m going to buy used, I’m going to swing for the fences and use what I have budgeted. I just don’t want to go beyond that $175 threshold. If I can beef the system up a bit and toss my old 1060 in it for a GPU, I’m all about that. 

 

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp and all of those sorts of Wild West marketplaces are a terrible idea for AMD CPUs. They're absurdly easy to damage, it's absurdly easy to conceal that damage, and testing them means walking into someone's home/possible crack den and hoping that you're not about to become a human sacrifice.

 

If it's just a one-year quick fix until you do a full upgrade or something along those lines, I'd just get the 1600X. $110+shipping sucks, but by 2021 standards, I don't know how much better you'd do. I'd say search for the various Ryzen 5 SKUs from 1st-3rd gen, and the Ryzen 7 2700. That should give you a pretty good blueprint. Bear in mind that your Athlon cooler will be pushed by the 1600X, and I would be fairly concerned about noise and/or ability to keep up with the 8-core CPUs, including the 2700. For that reason, if you are running the Athlon stock cooler, I wouldn't buy a 2700 without the OEM cooler included. If you top out your budget on a 2700 then immediately need a $20-25 cooler from Amazon, that defeats the purpose lol

 

Edit: here's an example of what I'd look for. Haven't done any diligence on this seller, nor did I look at photos, so this is not a suggestion for you. Just an idea of what I'd want to see: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363591923715

[HesCalledTheStig]

3 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

 

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp and all of those sorts of Wild West marketplaces are a terrible idea for AMD CPUs. They're absurdly easy to damage, it's absurdly easy to conceal that damage, and testing them means walking into someone's home/possible crack den and hoping that you're not about to become a human sacrifice.

 

If it's just a one-year quick fix until you do a full upgrade or something along those lines, I'd just get the 1600X. $110+shipping sucks, but by 2021 standards, I don't know how much better you'd do. I'd say search for the various Ryzen 5 SKUs from 1st-3rd gen, and the Ryzen 7 2700. That should give you a pretty good blueprint. Bear in mind that your Athlon cooler will be pushed by the 1600X, and I would be fairly concerned about noise and/or ability to keep up with the 8-core CPUs, including the 2700. For that reason, if you are running the Athlon stock cooler, I wouldn't buy a 2700 without the OEM cooler included. If you top out your budget on a 2700 then immediately need a $20-25 cooler from Amazon, that defeats the purpose lol

 

Edit: here's an example of what I'd look for. Haven't done any diligence on this seller, nor did I look at photos, so this is not a suggestion for you. Just an idea of what I'd want to see: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363591923715

I have a 212 Evo left over from another build. I’m sure it will be sufficient for any of the mentioned CPU’s. 

[HesCalledTheStig]

Looks like I wont need to buy a new CPU just yet.  I let a friend take the 3000G that I dropped and he returned it to me this morning with no bent pins!  It was mangled yesterday and somehow he straightened every single pin!  Dropped it back in my machine and it fired right up!  I tried paying him because he saved me over $100 and he wouldn't take any money.  I did finally get him to at least let me buy him a coffee, lol.  SO, my second PC is back up and running and I can worry about an upgrade at a later time when I have more cash!

[Mister Woof]

13 minutes ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

Looks like I wont need to buy a new CPU just yet.  I let a friend take the 3000G that I dropped and he returned it to me this morning with no bent pins!  It was mangled yesterday and somehow he straightened every single pin!  Dropped it back in my machine and it fired right up!  I tried paying him because he saved me over $100 and he wouldn't take any money.  I did finally get him to at least let me buy him a coffee, lol.  SO, my second PC is back up and running and I can worry about an upgrade at a later time when I have more cash!

That's what friends are for!

 

Glad it worked out

[Dedayog]

20 hours ago, aisle9 said:

Classic LTT

 

"I'm on a budget and looking at this $120 CPU."

"Buy this one that's literally twice as expensive instead."

I look at it as Classic LTT...

 

Hey, I know this is the most expensive time to buy a new CPU, so I think I'll pull mine out and play around with it for a while until I break it!!!.

 

 

I feel for the OP, but what prompts this?  Why was it removed and why wasn't it safeguarded properly?  Pulled out, put on something soft immediately.

 

Also, how is "needing a GPU not an issue" but he only has $175 for a CPU?  I'm confused. The 1600 doesn't have an iGPU so you're looking at what?  $400 all in for a CPU + GPU?

 

May as well do it right and go with what people say above, cuz you're spending anyway.

[HesCalledTheStig]

1 hour ago, Dedayog said:

I look at it as Classic LTT...

 

Hey, I know this is the most expensive time to buy a new CPU, so I think I'll pull mine out and play around with it for a while until I break it!!!.

 

 

I feel for the OP, but what prompts this?  Why was it removed and why wasn't it safeguarded properly?  Pulled out, put on something soft immediately.

 

Also, how is "needing a GPU not an issue" but he only has $175 for a CPU?  I'm confused. The 1600 doesn't have an iGPU so you're looking at what?  $400 all in for a CPU + GPU?

 

May as well do it right and go with what people say above, cuz you're spending anyway.

It was removed because I was changing the cooler and unfortunately the cpu pulled from the socket while doing so.  It happens.  Accidents happen.  When I tried removing the cpu from the cooler where it was stuck with the old thermal paste, it dropped.  What else can I say?  I said in my original post that I normally dont have dropping issues but hey, it happns.  Look at Linus....  Secondly, needing a GPU isnt an issue because I already have a GPU.  I believe I mentioned it somewhere in this thread that I was going to use my old 1060.

 

Not sure why you're trying to make me look like a dunce.  I stated specifically why I was looking at the CPU I was and WHY I was only looking to spend a certain amount.  We arent all made of money.  Some of us have other expenses that are more important and we have to make due with what we can afford.  Simple as that.

[Dedayog]

3 minutes ago, HesCalledTheStig said:

It was removed because I was changing the cooler and unfortunately the cpu pulled from the socket while doing so.  It happens.  Accidents happen.  When I tried removing the cpu from the cooler where it was stuck with the old thermal paste, it dropped.  What else can I say?  I said in my original post that I normally dont have dropping issues but hey, it happns.  Look at Linus....  Secondly, needing a GPU isnt an issue because I already have a GPU.  I believe I mentioned it somewhere in this thread that I was going to use my old 1060.

 

Not sure why you're trying to make me look like a dunce.  I stated specifically why I was looking at the CPU I was and WHY I was only looking to spend a certain amount.  We arent all made of money.  Some of us have other expenses that are more important and we have to make due with what we can afford.  Simple as that.

You're not a dunce, didn't see the 1060 which would have been nice to add to the OP so folks don't have to read the entire thread for more info *shrug*