Most cost effective upgrade from i5 2500K

wblastyn · 12 Sep 2019 at 14:29

Hi all, it seems like now is finally a good time to ditch the 2500k. I was thinking I’d like to go to Ryzen 3600, as that seems to be what’s recommended.

I want to keep my current monitor (ASUS 144Hz G-Sync), case (NZXT midi-tower), CPU cooler (Kraken X61), PSU (Corsair TX850), GPU (980 Ti) and HDD (Evo 850 500Gb).

AFAIK, I just need to get the AM4 bracket for the X61 and I should be able to get away with just upgrading CPU, MB and RAM?

VaderDSL · 12 Sep 2019 at 14:38

Sounds like a decent plan, perhaps read up on the X570 boards, may as well get one that would allow you to run an 8 or 12 core in the future as another upgrade path?

alec · 12 Sep 2019 at 14:50

VaderDSL said:
Sounds like a decent plan, perhaps read up on the X570 boards, may as well get one that would allow you to run an 8 or 12 core in the future as another upgrade path?

Was just going to suggest the opposite, to stay away from X570 because they are way too expensive just for PCIE4 support. And PCIE4 is not anything you would need anyway.

wblastyn · 13 Sep 2019 at 08:01

Does this look ok:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (Socket AM4) DDR4 ATX Motherboard= £106.99
1 x AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core 4.2GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail= £194.99
1 x Team Group 8Pack Edition 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C14 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/= £134.99

Total: £447.47 (includes shipping: £10.50)

I do have a few reservations about the above:

- Would it be safer to go with the ASUS B450F MB given the bios issues with the MSI? Or the MAX version should be ok?

- Should I go with the 3600 or 3600X? I have a Kraken X62 cooler, so overclocking hopefully shouldn’t be an issue...

- Is the RAM ok or would you recommend a different kind?

I’d like to keep it under £500.

Grafter67 · 14 Sep 2019 at 00:00

3600x is (imo) a complete waste of money over 3600.

The MAX mobo's are supposed to have new bios for the new CPU's and the tomahawk is highly regarded.

That ram is expensive for my budget taste.

an0nym0us · 14 Sep 2019 at 01:07

wblastyn said:
- Would it be safer to go with the ASUS B450F MB

Don't get that motherboard, it has a terrible VRM.

an0nym0us · 14 Sep 2019 at 01:08

wblastyn said:
- Should I go with the 3600 or 3600X? I have a Kraken X62 cooler, so overclocking hopefully shouldn’t be an issue...

As posted above, the 3600X isn't a worthwhile upgrade over the standard 3600.

wblastyn · 14 Sep 2019 at 01:15

Thanks guys, I'll go with the 3600, MSI tomahawk and Crucial Ballistix Sport LT, as it seems to be recommended and is a good bit cheaper than the one I linked above.

an0nym0us · 14 Sep 2019 at 01:17

wblastyn said:
1 x Team Group 8Pack Edition 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C14 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/= £134.99

As you're probably aware, that RAM is Samsung B-die, so it carries a large premium.

If you want a cheaper alternative, Micron E-die has been reported to work really well with 3rd gen Ryzen. Keep a lookout for Crucial Ballistix Sport LT DDR4-3200 C16.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/ballistix-sport-lt-overclocking.18861166/

an0nym0us · 14 Sep 2019 at 01:27

wblastyn said:
Crucial Ballistix Sport LT, as it seems to be recommended and is a good bit cheaper than the one I linked above.

Looks like you've already found them haha.

tamzzy · 14 Sep 2019 at 08:58