My 2019 PC—a Core i5-9600K, RTX 2060, and 16GB of RAM—has finally given up after a while of tolerable issues. I mainly use my system for gaming and some music production. I can reuse my existing M.2 drive, other storage, and 2x8GB 3600MHz DDR4 kit, but everything else will need replacing because of age or wear. I have around £800 to spend and am happy to put most of it toward the CPU and graphics card. I may be able to get a case for free. I'll mainly shop through eBay and Facebook Marketplace, although I'd prefer to buy the motherboard and power supply new. Ideally, I'd like to stay with DDR4 and eventually upgrade to 32GB. What combination would offer the best performance for the money?
3 Answers
You could reuse your current 16GB kit initially and add another matching 2x8GB kit when you find a good deal. Even a Core i5-13400F would be a major improvement over the 9600K, and the B760 DDR4 platform makes sense. An RTX 3080 is a good target, while an RX 6800 XT is also worth considering if you don’t specifically need Nvidia features for your production software. For cooling, a Thermalright Peerless Assassin or Arctic Freezer 36 would work well. If you need a case, something like the NZXT H3 with a couple of front intake fans, or the Lian Li A3 if you prefer a compact build, could be suitable.
For a mix of gaming and music production, a used Core i5-12600K or i5-14600K would be a strong choice. Pair it with a B760 DDR4 board such as the MSI PRO B760-P WiFi DDR4, assuming you use a standard ATX case. For graphics, look for a reasonably priced RTX 3080 10GB or RTX 3070 Ti. A good-quality 750W PSU should be sufficient.
That gives me a solid starting point—thanks!
The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is excellent for gaming, but its value depends heavily on the used price and whether you already own an AM4 motherboard. Since you need a new board anyway, a used Intel 12600K, 13400F, or 13600K with DDR4 is likely the more flexible option for both gaming and music production. The 5800X3D can still be worthwhile if you find a particularly cheap bundle with a compatible motherboard.
Some friends suggested a Ryzen 7 5800X3D. Would that be better value than the Intel options?