Hey everyone! I just got myself a new PC, and I'm planning to give my old one to my girlfriend so we can enjoy some gaming together. The old PC isn't broken, but its specs aren't great, and it feels a bit slow. I'm considering upgrading the CPU and GPU so she can have a better gaming experience. The current specs are: GPU: GTX 1050 ti, CPU: i5 9600k, and 32 GB of RAM. I'm unsure about the motherboard. What do you think? Any recommendations for upgrades?
6 Answers
Just popping in with this: if you throw a decent GPU into that old setup, it can still run the latest games pretty well. Plus, consider upgrading to a good M.2 SSD; it makes a huge difference in load times and overall performance! I noticed a big improvement in games like MK1 with an SSD.
For a solid CPU upgrade, check second-hand markets for a 9900K – they’re about $150 right now in the US and prices are dropping. Pair that with something like a 5060/9060XT for new, or keep an eye out for a used 4070. You might just stay under that 500 Euro budget you mentioned!
Keep an eye on your PSU; if it can’t support newer GPU plugins, the 3050 6GB or the upcoming Radeon 7400 would be solid options. Otherwise, go for a 9060 XT or consider a full upgrade with an 8400F and AM5 motherboard alongside DDR5 RAM and a Radeon 7600 for the best performance.
First things first, you definitely need a modern GPU for a decent gaming experience. While it's possible to keep the i5 9600K, it would be ideal to upgrade both the CPU and motherboard at some point. Just curious, what's your upgrade budget?
What games does she want to play? A used 3060 could do the trick for Minecraft, DBD, and shooters like Apex and Valorant. Seems like a good choice for your budget!
Yeah, mostly those games! I'm leaning towards a 3060 or maybe a 2080 ti.
Honestly, if you're swapping out the CPU, you’ll probably need a new motherboard too. I suggest doing a fresh install of Windows from a USB drive. Also, look into a used 2070 or something similar; a 20-series GPU or better will allow for ray tracing, which is essential for many new games.
Do you think it’d actually make sense to change the motherboard entirely, then?
I'm thinking around 500 Euros. I almost went for a new motherboard, but I feel like that would mean I might as well build a whole new PC, aside from the SSD, RAM, and PSU.