Understanding the Economics of 6 vs. 8 CPU cores | Newbie to Gaming Industry

[Marko_BG]

I don't want to go down the rabbit hole "if 6 cores is going or not going to be enough for the next 2 or 3 years". What I would like to know, since I am new to gaming industry is the financial status of it (and if I ****** it up with new PC). I personally went with 6 cores 12 threads - a good value for a medium range CPU and used extra money on better PSU (it could have been better case or cooling or even better GPU). I think case, PSU and cooling is the only thing you "could future proof", but moving on - not the point of topic.

1. Okay, if I assume that all people that say 6 is not enough after 2 years are right and that I will need to upgrade in 2 years, does the economical or financial sheet looks like this?

2020　　　　　　→ 　　　　　　2022　　　　　　　　　　　　→　　　　　　　2024
170$ mid-end　　　　　　170$ mid-end　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　170$ mid-end

I am assuming a top of the mid end CPU would cost around 170$ and would give performance for the next 2 years at least. In total over the 4 year period, 510 dollars.

1. Okay, if theoretically I did went with 8 cores, would economical or financial sheet look like this?

2020　　　　　　→ 　　　　　　2022　　　　　　　　　　　　→　　　　　　　2024
340$ high-end　　　　　　no upgrade (future-proof)　　　　　　　　　340$ high-end

I am assuming a top of the line high end CPU would hold itself for at least 4 years (i.e. future proofing). In total over the 4 year period, 680 dollars. Also, I assumed the price would be double, since today a 8 core CPU costs double the amount of money as 6 cores.

The way I see it by looking at this is, if you need CPU to do X work today, pay for that CPU no matter the cost. However, future proofing does not bring any benefits if your needs are satisfied with mid-range components vs. high-end components. Not to mention that future proofing brings risk because we are after all just guessing here. Also, your CPU can die after a limited 3 year warranty - so imagine being that unlucky!

Summary! if you need today a CPU for X work (streaming, gaming AAA and multitasking on 2 monitors at the same time for example), yes - go for it you need high end CPU. However, if your needs (X work) are modest (like gaming AAA games with Discord in background on one monitor) then over buying, paying premium to future proof won't bring you much more today, but will cost you more in the long run with additional risk.

As I said, I have not been following market as some of you expert guys out there. I am really new to this and I am trying to understand price per performance and price per value in the long run. I plan gaming for God knows how much and would like to have bigger picture. Thank You for sharing your knowledge.

P.S. Does this logical apply to other PC components?

 

[Marko_BG]

I was referring to AMD processors. Zen2 improved IPC by 15% and then a year later, Zen3 improved IPC by 19%.

The 6 cores in my computer won't be any good in 2 or 3 years but the Ryzen 5000 definitely will be. To answer the threads question, it matters which 6 cores you're refering to.

Sorry for later reply. I was as referring to Ryzen 5 3600 or it's competition in the same rank, the i5-10400F.

 

[Marko_BG]

For anyone who isn't regularly maxing all their cores ( not running workloads ) the only thing they are really after is the better IPC.

Can't see general users needing more then 6-8 cores for a long time.

Interesting.