I'm planning to upgrade my PC and need some advice on whether I should prioritize getting a new CPU or a graphics card. My current setup includes an Intel Core i5-9500 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070. I want to make my gaming experience smoother, especially for games like Rimworld, Minecraft, Starsector, and newer titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Horizon: Forbidden West. I'm looking to maintain a stable 60 fps at a 3440x1440 resolution. My budget is around $500, and I want to know what's more efficient—upgrading the CPU, which may require a new motherboard, or getting a new GPU? I'm based in Sweden but open to importing from other EU countries. Any tips would be appreciated!
1 Answer
For gaming at 3440x1440, I strongly recommend focusing on your GPU first. If you can, try to get your hands on a higher-tier card, like the 5070 or 9070, if those fit your budget. It looks like the 9070 is more affordable in Sweden right now. Just a heads up, even a last-gen card like the 5060 Ti or 9060 XT can work well for you, but stick to the 16GB versions to avoid limitations. An upgrade in graphics will significantly enhance your gaming experience compared to just boosting the CPU.
So, does that mean I should forget about upgrading the CPU? Is it because the CPU I have is still decent, or will it be too pricey to upgrade since I might need a new motherboard?