Hey everyone! I'm thinking about upgrading my setup. Right now, I've got a Ryzen 5 3600X paired with a 240mm AIO cooler and an RTX 2060 Super. I want to buy a new GPU since I'm aiming to run the latest AAA games at max settings on at least a 1080p display, and I might get a 1440p monitor eventually. My budget is under $1000 if possible.
I noticed some GPUs that look promising like the 5070, 9070XT, and 5070Ti at prices around $550 to $750. I haven't followed the GPU market in several years, so I'm unsure if this is a good time to buy or if I should hold out for newer cards. I've heard mixed opinions on the RTX 6XXX series and whether they offer significant improvements. I also don't plan on getting a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor and have no brand preference.
Based on my GPU choice, I'm curious if I'll need to upgrade my CPU as well. I'd rather not do that unless my current setup is a real bottleneck, given that it would also mean getting a new motherboard and RAM since I'm on AM4 and DDR4 right now. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Your 3600X should work just fine for 1080p and even 1440p, so I'd suggest upgrading your GPU first. The 5070 Ti or the 9070 XT would give you a nice performance boost without the need to change your CPU right away.
What PSU do you have? That could limit your GPU upgrade options. It's important to ensure it can handle any new GPU you want to install.
I have a fully modular 650W PSU. I'm not really sure about any new connector requirements though—are there things I should keep an eye on?
You can definitely stick to your budget of under $1000! Honestly, your current setup is pretty balanced. While gaming, check your GPU and CPU usage. If your GPU hits 100%, it’s time to upgrade that first. If it's your CPU maxing out, then you'll need to look there, especially if you're going for 1440p. A GPU upgrade is a must for that.
Just a heads up though, the 3600X might limit the 5070 Ti's performance at 1080p. It shouldn't be as much of an issue when you go for higher resolutions like 4K.