Question CPU or GPU upgrade

[goodboy84h]

Targets: 1080p gaming AAA title with smooth 1% lows

Hypothetically speaking if I have a 8600K paired with 5600xt, what would be a better upgrade
a. Moving from 8600K to R5 7500 for a cost of ~400$ with same GPU
b. Moving from 8600K to R5 5600 for a cost of ~300$ with same GPU
c. Moving from 5600xt to 6700xt for a cost of ~300$ with same CPU system

 

[Lutfij]

A build isn't comprised of just the CPU and GPU. We're going to need context, as in your full systems specs. Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.

So in order to get the most out of your hypothetical Ryzen 5000 series upgrade, you'd need to be on a B550 chipset motherboard and DDR4-3600Mhz dual channel, tight latencied ram kit. If you went with AM5, then you're going to need a dual channel DDR5-6000MHz ram kit with AMD"s E.X.P.O advertised on it.

 

[goodboy84h]

Currently I am on 4770k with 5600xt lol, thats why hypothetical.

I could go from here to Z4G4 w-2135 (4x8GB 2666MHz) in ~250usd (with possibility of GPU upgrade)

or, I may go to 5600 (no OC, reliable MBD and PSU, 2x16GB 3200 MHz) in ~450$
but I am inclined to go 7500F (no OC, reliable MBD and PSU, 2x16GB 5600 MHz) in ~600$ since it will give me upgrade path later on with just CPU replacement

in either ryzen case, I will not be able to upgrade GPU any longer. 6700xt is around ~300$ (which is only possible under budget if I go Z4G4 build

 

[helper800]

Currently I am on 4770k with 5600xt lol, thats why hypothetical.

I could go from here to Z4G4 w-2135 (4x8GB 2666MHz) in ~250usd (with possibility of GPU upgrade)

or, I may go to 5600 (no OC, reliable MBD and PSU, 2x16GB 3200 MHz) in ~450$
but I am inclined to go 7500F (no OC, reliable MBD and PSU, 2x16GB 5600 MHz) in ~600$ since it will give me upgrade path later on with just CPU replacement

in either ryzen case, I will not be able to upgrade GPU any longer. 6700xt is around ~300$ (which is only possible under budget if I go Z4G4 build

What is the exact budget?

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7500F 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($134.76 @ AliExpress)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 EAGLE WIFI6E ATX AM5 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL28 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $414.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-12 13:34 EDT-0400

 

[goodboy84h]

Not exceeding 600$
Started on 200$ w-2135 machine (then decided to go w-2145)
Now thinking 5600 or 7400F

Let me rephrase my confusion. What I am interested is:
AAA titles gaming on 1080p (or 1440p if GPU upgraded)
Smoother experience (better 1% lows) is higher priority than fps (40 fps is okay too)
Longevity like 5-6 years without single upgrade and additional 2-3 years with GPU only upgrade

With above needs, which option is better:

a. W-2135/W-2135 + (6700xt or new GPU like 9060xt)
b. 5600x + 5600xt (maybe 6700 or new GPU like 9060xt)
c. 7400F + 5600xt

 

[helper800]

Not exceeding 600$
Started on 200$ w-2135 machine (then decided to go w-2145)
Now thinking 5600 or 7400F

Let me rephrase my confusion. What I am interested is:
AAA titles gaming on 1080p (or 1440p if GPU upgraded)
Smoother experience (better 1% lows) is higher priority than fps (40 fps is okay too)
Longevity like 5-6 years without single upgrade and additional 2-3 years with GPU only upgrade

With above needs, which option is better:

a. W-2135/W-2135 + (6700xt or new GPU like 9060xt)
b. 5600x + 5600xt (maybe 6700 or new GPU like 9060xt)
c. 7400F + 5600xt

Here is my complete reccomendation:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 EAGLE WIFI6E ATX AM5 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL28 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $599.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-12 21:39 EDT-0400

The 9600x has about the same average FPS as the 5800X3D which is the pinnacle gaming chip for the AM4 socket. This still gives you room to upgrade the CPU in 3-4 years with whatever the best gaming chip in the AM5 socket. I added a very good PSU that will allow up to a 400w GPU with the rest of your build comfortably such as a 9070 XT. Next upgrade should definitely be a graphics card ASAP.

 

[goodboy84h]

Thanks a lot, unfortunately the prices in my country are inflated and components are difficult to find. Also, I made a mistake to mention that 600$ budget is for whole system. But I get the idea, you mean to say that upgrade with a good CPU (correct me if I am wrong, CPU will decide baseline fps and 1% fps). Run 5600xt till I upgrade GPU

For reference the best price I got for is as follows (alternate component due to non availability is mentioned where applicable)

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 3.9 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.99 @ Newegg)
[$280]

Motherboard: Gigabyte B850 EAGLE WIFI6E ATX AM5 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
[$195 MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI]

Memory: G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL28 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
[$132 G.SKILL Trident Z5 32GB (2x16GB) 6000 CL30]

Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.99 @ Amazon)
[$100 GIGABYTE GP-UD750GM 750 W ATX 12V v2.31 80 PLUS GOLD]

Total: $599.96
[Total: $700]

 

[goodboy84h]

Now I have done some working and realize that going future upgrade path for CPU will not be feasible for me (edit: because I would be doing it very late stage like 6-8 years, and at that time it would be better to just buy a new machine). So I am deciding to go 5600x which is fully sufficient for me now (suggest me how much improvement will I get from 5700x3D - w.r.t 1% fps and longevity)

Following is my build, with some suggestions required (within the list below)

Q1: Any drawback if I get AORUS ELITE instead of GAMING X V2 (speaking of long life)
Gigabyte B550M AORUS ELITE (135$)
Gigabyte B550 GAMING X V2 (155$)

Q2: How much gain from 5700x3D over 5600x
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Tray (95$)
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Tray (105$)
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D Tray (200$)

Cooler + Casing (~50$)

Q3: Going 1.1V DDR4 for stability and long life, correct me if I am wrong
TEAMGROUP Elite 16GB 3200MHz U-DIMM DDR4 (28$)
TEAMGROUP Elite 16GB 3200MHz U-DIMM DDR4 (28$)

Q4: Which one to buy? I will be using x60 or max x70 RTX card (I find DLSS interesting)
PSU options around 100$
Lian Li SP750 750 Watt 80 Plus Gold (90$)
GIGABYTE GP-UD750GM 750 W ATX 12V v2.31 80 PLUS GOLD (100$)
Cooler Master MWE Gold 750 V2 MPE-7501-AFAAG-3EU ATX3.0 (100$)
COUGAR GEX PRO 750W 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular Power Supply (105$)
Corsair RM750e Fully Modular 80+ Gold ATX Power Supply (115$)
XPG Core Reactor II 750W Modular PSU: ATX3.0-80 Plus Gold ATX (115$)

Q5: I think WD Blue SN5000 is better right?
Kingston NV3 1TB (55$)
Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN5000 WDS100T4B0E NVMe SSD – Gen4 x4 (55$)

Q6: This or should I go 1080p 21" (I currently have 24" 1080p on desk and it feels large, also I am having digital eye strain)
Used Monitor 24" 1440p (should be around 75$)

Total (5600X): ~$600
Total (5700X3D) ~$700

Q7: Buy now with loan (zero markup) or wait (and wait for what)?

ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge 12GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card (Used) (250$)
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060Ti Twin Edge 8GB GDDR6 256-bit Gaming Graphics Card (Used) (285$)
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060Ti Twin Edge OC 8GB GDDR6 256-bit Gaming Graphics Card (Used) (305$)

ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Twin Edge Graphics Card (New) (340$)
MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G OC 12GB (New) (375$)
MSI Ventus GeForce RTX 4060 8GB 2X OC GDDR6 (New) (385$)


Q8: Any difference in reliability/life between MSI and ZOTAC?

 

[logainofhades]

The Gaming X V2 is a better board, being ATX, with a better power delivery system.

5700x3d has 2 more cores, plus the 3d cache, so it is a much better long term CPU, vs the 5600x.

For ram you want an actual 2x16gb kit. Do not buy two separate 16gb sticks, as they may not work well together, even if same model. DDR4 3200 CL16 is fine.

I would choose the Corsair PSU

The Kingston is slightly faster, but I doubt you would tell the difference. I would personally choose a better drive than either of those if possible.

I would stick with 1080p at this time. Not sure how any of your proposed options are going to help with eye strain, unless current panel is a really bad one.

$550 is RTX 5070 territory, so you might want to wait for MSRP cards to materialize. I simply do not recommend graphics cards with 8gb vram anymore.