I bought an HP Pavilion Gaming PC (model TG01-0xxx) about four years ago, and I'm looking to upgrade some parts because it's not performing well. I have a GeForce GTX MSI Gaming 1660 Ti that I'm planning to install in a new case, and I definitely want to upgrade the RAM. My budget is $300 for upgrading the case, RAM, and any other components that would significantly enhance my PC. Here are my specs:
- OS: Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3500 6-Core
- Current RAM: 8 GB (2x 4GB Micron Technology 3200MHz)
- Current GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
I'm open to suggestions for improvements!
3 Answers
Look for a used 2x4GB DDR4 kit; it should be around $40. The next step would be to upgrade the GPU. You can usually find used RTX 3070s for about $200, which provides great performance for the price.
I had a similar experience with my son's HP that had a 1650 Super. There's a lot of proprietary hardware in these machines, so the only real upgrade is typically the RAM. The motherboard is usually proprietary, which means you'd have to replace it along with the power supply if you want to upgrade more than just the RAM. We ended up rebuilding it completely, and the only part we kept was the m.2.
RAM prices have skyrocketed lately. I'd suggest looking for a used 2x8GB or 2x16GB DDR4 kit instead of buying new. However, be aware that your motherboard is not standard, so changing cases might not work out. Honestly, if you're looking for an upgrade, it might be easier to sell your current PC and invest in a new one to avoid all the OEM compatibility issues. If you do sell the GTX 1660 Ti, you could consider an RTX 2060 for better performance, especially with DLSS support.
What sites would you recommend for selling the GPU? It’s barely used and still in its original packaging.
What did you do in the end? What would you recommend for someone in a similar situation?