Hey everyone! I'm looking to upgrade my 5-year-old PC before prices go crazy again, especially after the recent RAM shortage. I was eyeing a complete new build a few months ago, but I want to avoid spending a fortune now. Here's what I currently have:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: RX 5700XT Pulse Sapphire
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz (2 sticks)
- Motherboard: Tomahawk Max B450
- PSU: 550W Plus Gold Silentium PC
I recently got a new 34-inch monitor, so I'm gaming at 1440p, but my setup struggles with new titles like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Expedition 33, only managing to run them on low settings and still barely hitting 50 fps.
I know I could drop to 1080p for a boost, but I prefer high/ultra settings for new games. Here's what I'm considering for the upgrade:
- CPU: Ryzen 7 5800X
- GPU: Thinking about RX 9060XT or 9070XT (unsure of the difference, but there's a $250 price jump)
- RAM: Keep my current setup or add another 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz
- Motherboard: No changes
- PSU: Possibly upgrade to 850W Plus Gold.
I'd really appreciate any feedback, especially about the RAM—should I go for one 16GB stick or two 8GB sticks? The price difference is about $50 ($220 for 2x8GB vs. $170 for 16GB).
2 Answers
What's your total budget for the upgrades? That might help narrow down your options!
Your CPU choice sounds solid! If you go for the 9060 XT, your existing PSU should be fine. But if you’re considering the 9070 XT, I’d really check that price; it seems a bit high, and you could hit a bottleneck with the Ryzen 5. The 9060 XT is a good choice for 1440p, just keep in mind it won't shine with ray tracing. Also, I recommend holding off on the RAM upgrade; just tweak your current RAM settings instead.
Thanks for your input! I found the 9060XT in 16GB versions priced between $488 and $558, while the 9070XT is around $850. Prices might differ since I'm shopping in Poland.
Lower the better, but I was thinking a maximum of $1000.