Is Ryzen 5 3600 and RX 590 a Reasonable Combo for Mid-Range Gaming and General Productivity?

When building a mid-range gaming PC, the combination of the Ryzen 5 3600 and RX 590 is indeed a reasonable and balanced choice. This article will explore the performance, gaming capabilities, and future-proofing aspects of this build.

Performance Overview

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is a capable CPU featuring 6 cores and 12 threads. It excels in both single-threaded performance and multi-threaded tasks, making it an excellent choice for gaming, streaming, and multitasking. The RYZEN 5 3600 can handle a wide range of modern games and offers a smooth user experience for productivity tasks.

RX 590

The RX 590 is a mid-range GPU based on the Polaris architecture. It is designed to provide solid performance at 1080p resolution with medium to high settings. While it may not push the boundaries in today's most demanding titles, the RX 590 remains a reliable choice for many games at 1080p.

Gaming Performance

This combo is well-suited for 1080p gaming. You can expect good performance in most titles, with the RX 590 capable of delivering decent frame rates. The Ryzen 5 3600 ensures that the CPU won't bottleneck the GPU, allowing for a smooth gaming experience.

Future-Proofing

While the Ryzen 5 3600 and RX 590 are solid for current gaming, newer titles may demand more power from both the CPU and GPU. If you plan to play highly demanding games or want to future-proof your setup, it is recommended to consider upgrading to a more powerful GPU in the future. The GTX 1660 Super or GTX 1660 Ti are excellent alternatives:

GTX 1660 Super and GTX 1660 Ti offer significantly better performance compared to the RX 590, especially in 1440p games. These GPUs perform similarly to the GTX 1070 and are more than capable of handling less demanding games at 1440p. They also provide a better long-term investment, as they are more likely to remain relevant for future gaming titles.

If you choose to build with a second-hand RX 590, it can be a cost-effective solution, but keep in mind that it may require upgrading in a year or so.

Optimizing the Build

For optimal performance, consider pairing the Ryzen 5 3600 with at least 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, ideally at 3200 MHz or higher. This will ensure smooth multitasking and improved gaming performance. Additionally, investing in a NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super or IDG 1660 Ti can significantly enhance your gaming experience, especially for 1440p resolution.

Conclusion

For a balanced mid-range build, the Ryzen 5 3600 and RX 590 provide a solid foundation. However, if you plan to stay competitive in the long term, upgrading to a more powerful GPU is advisable. The 1660 Super or 1660 Ti are excellent choices that offer both performance and value for money.