Hey everyone! I've got an AMD FX6300 CPU, ASRock 880GMH/U3S3 motherboard, and 12GB of DDR3 RAM at 666MHz. I'm mainly using my PC for writing and streaming Plex, but I've noticed it slowing down during light graphics and video editing tasks. My CPU frequently hits 100% usage in the task manager, which is frustrating.
I think it might be time to upgrade my motherboard, CPU, and RAM, but I'm really confused about where to start. I don't need anything too high-powered, just something reasonably priced that can improve performance without slowing down.
I see used i5 CPUs starting from around £30 up to £200, but I can't tell the difference between them. Is DDR3 RAM still relevant, or should I look for something else? How much RAM should I aim for? Any recommendations for the most affordable CPU that could help? Thanks!
2 Answers
Your current CPU is quite dated. You’re right; just looking at the i5, i7 categories isn't enough because there are over ten years of different generations with huge performance gaps. For budget options, keep an eye out for older systems with DDR4 RAM, as that’ll be cheaper than DDR5 right now. I'd suggest looking into 10th gen Intel or AMD Ryzen 3600 or 5600 as good options for a balance of price and performance.
Honestly, it seems like you might need more than just a new CPU and RAM. Your entire system could be due for an overhaul, sadly. It might be worth looking at building a budget-friendly new setup.
Definitely consider that if you're planning on a full upgrade!
I was concerned about that. Even my hard drives might need replacing?