Hey everyone! I bought my PC around 4-5 years ago without much knowledge about its components, and honestly, I'm still learning. I'm focusing on video editing and handling large files (up to 100GB, typically around 50GB). I'm wondering which parts I should upgrade first to improve performance? Here's what I've got: a GeForce GTX 1660 6GB, 500GB NVMe + 2TB HDD, 32GB DDR4 RAM, a Z490 Intel chipset, and an i7 10700k processor. Any other tips on what might need an upgrade would be super helpful too!
4 Answers
The first thing you should definitely upgrade is the GPU! Look for one that won’t bottleneck your i7 10700k. You can easily find calculators online to check compatibility. Upgrading your HDD to an SSD is also worth considering, especially if you play a lot of games. For RAM, 16GB is typically fine unless you're diving into super heavy video editing, so don't stress too much about upping that unless you really need it.
I’d suggest looking at upgrading your CPU and motherboard first or even considering a newer i7 or i9. Also, adding a 1TB or 2TB SSD with DRAM cache would be a game changer for your workflow! Keep Windows on your smaller SSD and use the new one for your video files. It's a great way to speed things up without a full system overhaul.
I didn't realize you could have more than one SSD on a PC, thank you!
You're going to want a GPU with high VRAM, and it wouldn't hurt to boost your RAM to 64GB for extra efficiency. But crucially, swapping your HDD for a faster NVMe SSD will drastically improve your import/export speeds. Start with those upgrades, and consider the CPU later on if you don’t see enough performance improvement.
My current GPU works "well enough" since I don't do heavy graphics work, just small animations. Sounds like upgrading to an NVMe SSD will give me the most benefit. Any recommendations on brands that are reliable?
Honestly, if the system is still functioning fine, you might be better off saving for a complete overhaul rather than just upgrading one component. While a new GPU is a solid suggestion, make sure your PSU can handle the upgrade. Don't rush your decisions; save up for a new setup when you can!
I believe I've got a Corsair 600W Gold, so I think I should be fine!
Interesting. I hadn't thought about any bottleneck scenarios. This is much appreciated.