What to Replace my i7 3820 CPU with?

[yeatzee7786]

I built my PC a long time ago and it's still running ok but I'd like to update it a bit with better parts. It's been a long time since I've been in the game so I'm just not sure what's out there and what I should go with. What would be a good upgrade from the 3820 chip? Would be totally fine buying a used CPU as well if there are some good steals out there.

Use case is for music mixing / photography / video editing primarily. Don't play games much anymore.

Thanks!

 

[huntlong]

Right now Ryzen CPUs are the best value. You will need a new motherboard and ram for this upgrade. A Ryzen 2700 CPU would work very well for you. It will cost you around $280. Pair it with a B350/B450 motherboard for around $70 and a kit of 16gb 2x8gb 3000mhz ram for around $110. If this is too expensive you can save around $100 and go with a Ryzen 2600 and still see pretty large improvements.

Without upgrading your motherboard and ram you can’t get much better than what you have now and it wouldn’t be worth the cost in my opinion.

 

[yeatzee7786]

Right now Ryzen CPUs are the best value. You will need a new motherboard and ram for this upgrade. A Ryzen 2700 CPU would work very well for you. It will cost you around $280. Pair it with a B350/B450 motherboard for around $70 and a kit of 16gb 2x8gb 3000mhz ram for around $110. If this is too expensive you can save around $100 and go with a Ryzen 2600 and still see pretty large improvements.

Without upgrading your motherboard and ram you can’t get much better than what you have now and it wouldn’t be worth the cost in my opinion.

I'd prefer to not have to touch the motherboard if possible, the 3820 was at the bottom of the barrel for the LGA 2011 chipsets back when I got it, there were several above it and I'm sure there's been more since then. I'm mainly just looking for a CPU within the LGA 2011 series. Thanks though, maybe if I decide to do a complete rebuild in the future I'll keep that in mind.

edit: I just looked and I could pick up an I7 4930K for $150 used on ebay. Think that would help beef up the PC for the modern day?

 

[spentshells]

150 bucks sure why not might even get a few bucks for your chip.

How much ram do you have?

 

[yeatzee7786]

150 bucks sure why not might even get a few bucks for your chip.

How much ram do you have?

8gb, but that's also getting upgraded to 16gb 1866mhz as part of this update project. Also going to add a 1tb SSD since my 256gb one is mostly full.

 

[huntlong]

You’re right, I was thinking of mainstream 3rd gen processors. The 4930k would be a good upgrade if you want to stay on your current platform.