[SOLVED] $200 9700k worth it over Zen 3?

johnsoner13

Respectable
Currently I have a ryzen 5 2600 and a b450 tomahawk max. GPU is an RX 5700, upgrading to a 3060 ti or 3070, whichever one I can snag first. My ryzen 5 2600 is pretty decent but I’ve noticed it struggles in some CPU intensive games and want to upgrade ASAP.

However, seeing as b450 mobo bios updates likely wont be out til early 2021, if I want to upgrade to zen 3 soon I’d have to get a new mobo anyways. Because of this, I have been considering a 9700k from microcenter because it’s discounted to $200.

Is getting this + a decent z390 mobo worth it over a 5600x + a decent b550? Especially since upgrade potential will likely be the same on both platforms as the next generation of ryzen will most likely be on a new platform/socket. I game at 1080p and only game, so upgrades past the 5600x to, say, a 5900x will be useless to me.
 
Solution
the 5600X and a compatible B550 board should be top priority, IMO...

If you can snag a known good/reputable Z390 and a 9700K for $320 or so, that would sure save $150 or so...; the 9700K is no slouch in anything...especially with good cooling and an MCE-capable/proven board....
the 5600X and a compatible B550 board should be top priority, IMO...

If you can snag a known good/reputable Z390 and a 9700K for $320 or so, that would sure save $150 or so...; the 9700K is no slouch in anything...especially with good cooling and an MCE-capable/proven board....
 
Solution

delaro

Judicious
Ambassador
3600X + B550 is $360

9700K +Z390 is $304

$56 difference :unsure: The 9700K is a damn good gaming chip but the 5600X is just slightly better even at stock settings. Going, either way, gives you upgrade room so it's really about your budget.
 
A 9700k is no match at all for a 5600x...a better plan would be to wait for the 5600x to become available and grab the BIOS update on the tomahawk. Moving to Intel at this point would require investing in a 10900k just to keep up with the 5600x/b450 combo in games.