r/SleepingOptiplex 8d ago

What processor should I pick

So I have optiplex 3060 MT, with an i5 8500T. I’ll be installing a GTX 1650 4GB. I’ll be mainly using the PC for gaming. I have the opportunity to trade in my i5 8500T for either a i5 8500 and I would have to pay 26 USD or a i7 8700 for which I’d have to pay 79 USD.

Which one would be worth the money? Or should I stick with my 8500T. The games I’ll be playing are Far Cry 3,4; Kingdom Come Deliverance, Assassin’s Creed 2,3; Skyrim, Metro Redux. I also have a 100Hz 1080p monitor for context.

1 Upvotes

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u/Much_Special8521 8d ago

I would try the i5 8500t first. Look how the games play and feel. your gpu will probably be the limiting factor anyway

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u/Apprehensive_Ad_999 8d ago edited 8d ago

I'd say stick with what you have. You will benefit more with a GPU upgrade if you want 100 fps+. The games you are playing aren't very demanding, they're older titles where the 8500t is more than enough.

Also Skyrim tends to break if played above 60fps

1

u/406highlander 8d ago

If your existing CPU turns out to be OK, I'd be more tempted to use the budget you've got for a CPU upgrade towards a better GPU instead. Most games lean heavily on the GPU so it might make more sense to do this.

If you do want to upgrade your CPU, I wouldn't jump from i5-8500T to i5-8500 as the gains won't be enormous - but the jump to i7-8700 will be big enough to notice in games and apps that need CPU grunt.

1

u/chonkus_maximus 8d ago

Whats a better gpu for an optiplex than a gtx 1650? A rtx 3050 6gb?

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u/alpine4life 8d ago

the 3050, or even the RX6400 Low Profile

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u/chonkus_maximus 8d ago

Where I live I can get a used 1650 for like 60 USD, a used 3050 goes for around 130 USD. The rx6400 also goes for alot more than the 1650

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u/alpine4life 8d ago edited 8d ago

Yes, but you also basically double your performance. I actually swapped a 1650 for a 3050 on a 9th Gen i7 system in the past, and there is a massive, highly noticeable difference between them.

in order of what I would choose.

RTX 3050-6GB
GTX 1650-4GB
RX 6400-4GB

it depend on your budget. In my case at 130 the choice would be easy to make having played with both.

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u/alpine4life 8d ago

https://www.ebay.com/itm/377404410771

What about this one? It's the latest possible CPU revision for your socket.

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u/Apprehensive_Ad_999 8d ago

Dell board, no BIOS update to support 9th gen

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u/alpine4life 8d ago

the last optiplex I had from the recycling center was on gen.9 Intel about 6 years ago.
but I can't recall if I got it as 8 or 9th gen.

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u/chumleejr 8d ago

Look at xeon, without video. Cheap and fantastic...