I've got an older PC from six years ago and I'm trying to see if I can get it to run the game Marathon. It seems pretty optimized, and I thought my specs might meet the recommended requirements. Lately, I've been facing some buffering issues, especially during loading and when there's a lot happening on screen—like when I shoot or get shot at for the first time. I suspect my RAM might be the culprit, but I'm not too tech-savvy. Here are my current specs:
- **GPU:** NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
- **CPU:** Intel Core i5-9400F
- **RAM:** 8 GB
- **Storage:** No SSD
Would adding an additional 8 GB RAM stick and getting an SSD be sufficient, or are there other components I should consider upgrading?
3 Answers
To run Marathon smoothly, you'll want to hit the recommended specs, which are a bit higher than what you've got. The game suggests at least 16 GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5-10400 or similar, and a more powerful GPU like the GTX 2060. Your GTX 1660 is decent, but upgrading to 16 GB of RAM and adding an SSD will definitely help with performance. Just make sure your motherboard supports the extra RAM and SSD!
Haha, remember, training for a marathon in the gaming world takes some steps! Seriously though, your current setup lacks a bit in RAM and storage, but a slight upgrade could really help. Good luck!
If you're trying to keep costs low, upgrading to an SSD and adding more RAM is a good start. SSDs can make a big difference in loading times and overall performance. If you can swing it, aiming for around $400 for both RAM and an SSD is doable. Just make sure whatever RAM you buy matches your current stick for compatibility.
Yeah, I really think you can find good deals with that budget. Look for sales on RAM and SSDs!

So, does that mean my setup is worse than what's recommended? Should I just bite the bullet and upgrade my GPU too?