AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Desktop Processor (6-core/12-thread, 35 MB cache, up to 4.4 GHz max boost) - £117.50 @ Amazon, Sold by EpicEasy Ltd

Graphics performance is pretty much identical maybe 10% diff. I presume sims 4 worked at some point as its an old game or has it never worked?

If you're looking for an update, and assuming case / psu compatible, something like a 6600 or 6600 XT might be worth looking at, or a £50 second hand 1050 ti (theres a low profile option) / 1650 from ebay (edited)

I've got this combo in my proxmox box. Whats the main benefit to replacing the 2600 with this?

Very good point thanks for making it.

For 1080p that maybe true.

I think for 1440p the 5600, or possibly 8 core 5700x maybe better. I’m happy to be educated by the more experienced here? Please advise all?

For value though, you’re right the 5500 cannot be beat atm - July 2023 that is lol.

12400f for 12£ more sold by amazon is a pretty good deal as well.

Not really, worse if you use anything that would take advantage of the extra cores of the 3700X. (edited)

I'd save your money and but everything within 1 month if you can - I pieced my PC over 5 months and looking back that wasn't the smartest decision. I was s**tting myself when it didn't fire up the first time - fortunately I just shorted the wrong pins lol but you get the picture. Unless you have means to test the parts, there is a risk that something will be DOA and you will get a headache of trying to RMA outside of the initial return period. Stuff like case or air cooler /fans you should be OK with but get other parts closer to when you're thinking of putting it together. The parts will not be getting any more expensive either. If you're not good with saving, get a 0% purchase Credit Card, slap it on and pay it off over X amount of time.