I'm looking to upgrade my gaming PC because it's getting pretty old, and I want it to run smoother for modern games and VR. I have limited experience with PC upgrades and a tight budget, so I'm hoping to save and tackle one part at a time. My build is over 10 years old—the fan gets really loud, and right now, I have an Intel i5-9400F CPU, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660. I'm thinking the CPU and GPU are the main components to upgrade, but I'm not sure which options to go for without breaking the bank. Any suggestions on where to start?
4 Answers
What’s your exact budget for upgrades? Just a heads up, a high-end card like the RTX 4090 will be over $1000, and it's likely that you'll need a better power supply to go with it. A mid-range option like the RTX 4060 would offer a great improvement over the 1660 you have now. If you’re considering a CPU upgrade, look into getting a used i9-9900K; it’s the best option for your current motherboard, but make sure the platform isn't too outdated. Focus on GPU first, as that could provide a significant boost without the need for a total rebuild.
Before you make any upgrade decisions, I need some details: what's the model and wattage of your power supply (PSU)? Also, what motherboard are you using? Knowing these will help determine which CPUs and GPUs you can safely install. You're correct that your system is aging, and you don't actually need an RTX 4090, especially with your current setup and budget.
I'm looking into it, and I might have to get back to you with that info. Thanks for the help!
I'd recommend looking at the Intel 13th or 14th Gen i5 processors, paired with a DDR4 motherboard and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. You could get that for about $200 for the CPU, $150 for the motherboard, and around $175 for the RAM, which keeps you under $1000. For graphics, an RX 6800 XT or an RTX 5070 would significantly boost your performance without going overboard on price. Don't forget a good PSU, ideally around 850W from a reputable brand!
You need to replace both the CPU and motherboard at the same time, which is going to cost around $250-$300. Before upgrading your GPU, make sure to check if your power supply can handle it because you might need to upgrade that first too. A GPU upgrade can come later, but expect to spend between $350-$600 for a decent one.
What’s a PSU? I’ve never really heard that term before!
Not much budget, that's why I'm thinking of saving about $100 monthly for upgrades. My PC runs games well, but I want to keep up with new releases. I'm inclined to upgrade graphics first, but I worry about compatibility with my CPU.