[SOLVED] Is this CPU worth it

[microwavedfriedchicken]

I've had my computer for 6 years now and about a year or two back I decided to upgrade from an Intel Pentium g4500 to a Intel core i3-7100. I choose the CPU from a recommendation from my brother who had the same CPU. I rushed into it all excited and forgot to realize that he has a weaker GPU than me. I have the intel core i3-7100 paired up with an RX 580 8gb and have bottlenecked hard for the past year or two and am considering and upgrade, but I do have a budget. I wanted to know if anyone knew if an Intel Core i5-6500 is worth the upgrade or not. I've been contemplating it and can't seem to make the decision myself so I wanted to hear some other opinions before I make the decision to buy it.


Here are my pc specs
MSI H110M-A PRO M2
Intel Core i3-7100
XFX Radeon RX 580 8gb
8gb of DDR4 (It's been 6 years I forget which brand it is and can't be bothered to open the case in the spot it's in right now)
500gb samsung 860 EVO SSD
No brand SATA III 120 gb SSD
Western Digital 1TB HDD (9 years old)
DIYPC case

 

[velocityg4]

Depends on the price. It might make more sense to get a Ryzen 2600 or better CPU and motherboard. Then sell your current CPU and motherboard.

 

[Gmoney06ss]

If you're only paying like 30 bucks, sure it's a touch better. The 7100 has 2 faster cores but the 6500 has 4 real cores.

If you're paying more than that I'd save your cash and consider a move to a new platform.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

The problem right now is a huge bottleneck that I can't seem to get out of and I don't want to go to ends to pay a lot of money, but I want to experience more of my graphics card. I only get an average of 15% usage on my GPU at any given time on a game.

 

[Nemesia]

The problem right now is a huge bottleneck that I can't seem to get out of and I don't want to go to ends to pay a lot of money, but I want to experience more of my graphics card. I only get an average of 15% usage on my GPU at any given time on a game.

Is that a 1 stick of RAM 8GB? If yes then you're in single channel instead of dual channel with 2 sticks of RAM.
Just that reduce your fps by approx 30% in some titles.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

I have dual channel With 2 sticks of DDR4 1x4

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

My CPU is just always pinned at really high percentages and I wanted see if I had any options in the $100-$150 range for cpu maybe even a bit more money, or to see if upgrading to 12gb or 16 gb of RAM is more worth it.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

Is there a build for AMD that wouldn't cost me more than $150-$170 for a Motherboard and CPU that would outperform this a good amount? I just want to be able to run the games i'm playing and not have to use V-sync all the time. If I don't use V-sync the games have inconsistent frames and stutter.

 

[Nemesia]

Is there a build for AMD that wouldn't cost me more than $150-$170 for a Motherboard and CPU that would outperform this a good amount? I just want to be able to run the games i'm playing and not have to use V-sync all the time. If I don't use V-sync the games have inconsistent frames and stutter.

Changing to AMD would mean a new CPU, Motherboard and RAM.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

Well yeah RAM too, I just wonder if it wouldn't be that much more expensive for something better. I'm stuck in a hole because i'm starting to not be able to play certain games anymore and it's frustrating. I want to know what option is better for a $100-$200 price range for CPU that's 6 or 7 series that would be worth switching to because my bottleneck is getting worse. Like I said I only see about 15% GPU utilization at 95-100% CPU Utilization, so the bottleneck is obvious, but I want to know if my issues will be fixed by switching to something like a I5-6500 is worth it or an AMD setup.

 

[mdd1963]

Alas, the 7100, with but 2 cores/4 threads, will be better than the Pentium, but, any dual core is going to suffer in most gaming scenarios, and, the 7700/7700K solution will prove too expensive vice simply buying a B450/R5-1600AF/2600/3600, the far better solution, IMO...

Good luck!

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

Now, the question lies. Is it better to spend about $200 for a refurbished i7-6700 or if a whole AMD build is more worth it. My budget lies at $200, but it's more money than that to swap to AMD since I need new RAM.

 

[Phaaze88]

No way is an old 6700 worth that much today - it shouldn't, at least. That price screams greed.
Don't pay more than 50-70USD for that thing.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

I talked over with someone that my brother recommended I talk to about this an he reccomended an r5 1600 and an X370 board. Does anyone know if an R5 2600 would be worth it over the 1600 or is it not worth the slight upgrade for the money.

 

[Phaaze88]

Even better than both of those cpus is the Ryzen 1600 AF - if you can find it.
YD1600BB[AE]BOX - not this one
YD1600BB[AF]BOX - you want this one
It's a cut down 2600 at a bargain price.

Get a B450 motherboard instead of an overpriced X370.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

What's the difference between the B450 and the X370, is it at all worth spending the extra $40 for something that the B450 may not have? I have another question as well. There's two r5 1600s on Newegg, but one has a stealth cooler. Should I get the one that's cheaper with the stealth cooler or the regular one that is $10 more. The one with the stealth is $99 and the one without it is $110. I just want to save money where I can not meaning to be cheap.

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

And is it worth it if the r5 1600 AF that i'm finding is $107 plus the $7 tax if a 2600 is $120?

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

I would buy all the AMD stuff new as well

 

[Phaaze88]

Motherboards are about features. What, specifically, do you need, that isn't covered by most ATX motherboards?
The product segmentation on AMD's mobos isn't nearly as screwed up as on Intel's. B-series should be able to do everything an X-series can.
The A-series are an exception, as you can't overclock on them.

Could you link those 1600s?

And is it worth it if the r5 1600 AF that i'm finding is $107 plus the $7 tax if a 2600 is $120?

That one's straight up being price gouged. Some folks just have to be pricks, don't they? Taking advantage of the pandemic to inflate pricing...
This Amazon link has the right price: https://www.amazon.com/AMD-Processor-Wraith-Stealth-Cooler/dp/B07XTQZJ28

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

Oh yeah see the Amazon price is cheaper I had the Newegg link https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-...600-_-274-003V-00043-_-Product&quicklink=true

https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-...r5_1600-_-19-113-435-_-Product&quicklink=true

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

I don't know if that's the AF one I found this AF one though
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AMD-Ryze...R4rh3h4CC0f3wgGAX2ZLBM12z30XD0bAaAhRdEALw_wcB

 

[Phaaze88]

Oh yeah see the Amazon price is cheaper I had the Newegg link https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-1600/p/274-003V-00043?Description=r5 1600&cm_re=r5_1600--274-003V-00043--Product&quicklink=true

https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-1600/p/N82E16819113435?Description=r5 1600&cm_re=r5_1600--19-113-435--Product&quicklink=true

The first link is the AF. Curse Newegg's 3rd party vendors inflating prices... ugh! By the way, it does include the stock cooler. That's not the OEM/Tray product.

The 2nd link is the regular 1600AE.

That 3rd link is an AF as well, but it's also inflated - 108?! WTH...

 

[microwavedfriedchicken]

Yeah, I'm going to use your Amazon link. Thank you for getting me through this decision and helping me save the money, I probably would've spent the extra if I didn't know. Thanks for your help I greatly appreciate it, have a nice night!

 

[Phaaze88]

You're welcome!

 

[Third-Eye]

I talked over with someone that my brother recommended I talk to about this an he reccomended an r5 1600 and an X370 board. Does anyone know if an R5 2600 would be worth it over the 1600 or is it not worth the slight upgrade for the money.

If you are getting the Ryzen 5 1600 make sure it's the new AF model (YD1600BBAFBOX) which is just a slightly slower Ryzen 5 2600 with only 1-3% difference in performance which you are unlikely to notice. The 1600 AF is $85 vs $120 for the 2600. Don't buy an X370 or B350 if you have a choice of X470 or B450 for the same price. Also, if your current ram is fast enough in your i3-7100 system , you could reuse that instead of buying new until you can afford a faster 16GB kit. What is your current memory kit model number? Use CPU-Z to find the part number of the modules at least.

https://www.amazon.com/AMD-Processor-Wraith-Stealth-Cooler/dp/B07XTQZJ28

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html