I recently moved to a new city and found that my usual hobbies aren't as available, so I've started gaming on an older computer that was given to me in 2018. Unfortunately, most of the modern games I want to play aren't running well at the lowest settings, even with some mods to reduce the graphics further. I'm looking for advice on how to upgrade my setup to achieve stable frame rates and decent graphics quality, ideally above the lowest settings. My current specs include a 1TB HDD, NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, 16GB of RAM, and a 1080p monitor running at 60Hz. I've had trouble playing games like Nightreign, Space Marine 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 77, and Monster Hunter World, which often crash or lag. I want to know what upgrades would help me run games at medium settings smoothly.
6 Answers
Upgrading to a SATA SSD can really enhance your system's overall performance compared to your current HDD. But I know prices can be all over the place; keep an eye out for sales or check if you have a Walmart nearby that might have one at a decent price.
If you're near a Microcenter, you might find some good deals on parts. Definitely explore that option!
First off, have you checked what CPU you’re working with? Knowing that can really help pinpoint where you might need upgrades. It sounds like getting a better GPU would give you a nice performance boost really fast. That’s usually where gamers see the most improvement for modern titles.
What's your budget for upgrades? This will help narrow down your options a lot.
I don't have a budget, actually. I'm selling a big collection of modern MTG cards!
Don’t forget that sometimes a simple RAM upgrade can help too, considering you’re currently running 16GB. Just keep an eye on compatibility with your motherboard.
If you're focused solely on gaming, a prebuilt PC might be the best option unless you’re up for building one yourself. It sounds like you’re looking for something that can handle 1080p at 60fps. With no budget cap, you can aim high! For serious gaming, check out graphics cards like the 5070 Ti or 9070 XT, paired with a solid CPU like the 9800X3D or 7800X3D. 2x16GB DDR5 RAM and a Gen 4 NVMe SSD will also make a big difference.
I actually forgot to mention, it’s an Intel Core i5-4460 @ 3.20GHz.