I'm currently gaming at 1440p with my setup that includes an Intel i5-12400F CPU, RX 9060 XT GPU, 16 GB of RAM (which I plan to upgrade to 32 GB), and a 1 TB SSD, among other components. While playing heavily modded games like ARK and 7 Days to Die, I'm experiencing FPS drops, stutters, and poor 1% lows even when my GPU isn't maxed out. I'm considering upgrading my CPU and motherboard, potentially to a B760 board, but I'm unsure about the best steps forward. Specifically, I want to know:
1. Will upgrading the CPU significantly improve FPS and frame times at 1440p in CPU-heavy games?
2. Should I prioritize upgrading the CPU, increasing my RAM to 32 GB, or improving cooling first for the best real-world performance?
3. Is it worth upgrading now, or should I wait for the next generation of hardware? I'm not looking for extreme FPS; I just want smoother gameplay and fewer hiccups in demanding games.
1 Answer
Definitely consider adding more RAM! You seem to be sitting on just 16 GB, which might not cut it for those heavily modded titles. Since you're using DDR4, upgrading should be relatively affordable. Also, keep an eye on your CPU usage; if it's hitting 100% during intense moments, then that's a clear bottleneck. You might want to upgrade your CPU if you see consistent high usage.
My CPU usage is usually around 85% while playing intense games, so it sounds like an upgrade is in order. Thanks for the tip about the RAM!