Hey everyone! I recently upgraded my GPU to an Nvidia RTX 5060, but I'm still feeling some limitations with my current setup. Here's what I've got:
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- **GPU:** Nvidia RTX 5060
- **Memory:** Adata DDR4 3000Hz (2x8GB)
- **SSD:** Adata SU635 (960GB)
- **Motherboard:** MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max (MS-7B86)
I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades, ideally within a $350 budget, but I'd prefer spending less if possible. The most demanding game I play is Escape from Tarkov at medium settings, which has been giving me some frame stuttering. Interestingly, my GPU and CPU utilization are both below 40% during gameplay, so I'm wondering if my CPU or memory might be bottlenecking my performance.
I built this PC myself, but I don't have the best grasp of technical specs like clock speeds and memory bandwidth. What upgrades would you recommend to improve my gaming experience? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
For around $300, I recommend looking into an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X paired with a B550 motherboard. This combo will significantly boost your CPU performance and transition you to PCIe Gen 4, which is better for your RTX 5060. If you're willing to stretch your budget slightly, the Ryzen 5 7600 with a B650 motherboard is also a solid choice but keep in mind that getting a good 32GB DDR5 memory kit will likely set you back about $200.
Thanks for the insights! Do you think upgrading just the CPU and motherboard will really make a significant difference, or should I also look into memory upgrades too?
I’d suggest going for an AM5 setup with a Ryzen 5 9600X or 9700X and upgrade to 32GB DDR5 RAM. This way, you're future-proofing your build for years ahead. If your budget is tight, keep an eye on the second-hand market for chips like the 5700X or 5900X—though avoid the overpriced X3D models if you can! I just upgraded to a 5950X, and it's been fantastic.
If you want to minimize costs, consider grabbing a top AM4 CPU like the Ryzen 7 5800X. You should also aim for 32GB of RAM—2x16GB is ideal, but if you get 2x8GB to add to what you already have, keep in mind it might cause some stability issues. Just something to consider!

Just a heads up, if you're looking at those prices for memory, it can vary a lot. Good luck and keep an eye out for sales!