Hi everyone! I have a gaming PC that runs well for most of my games, but I've been experiencing some stuttering and low FPS in a few titles. I usually play a mix of easier games like Rocket League and CS:GO, and some more demanding ones like F1-25 and Black Ops 6. I'm thinking about giving my setup an upgrade since my RAM seems quite outdated. Here are my current specs:
- GPU: GeForce 3070
- CPU: Intel i5 12400F
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX Black DDR4 2133MHz 2x8GB
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B660 DS3H
- Storage: Good M.2 drive plus some HDDs
- Displays: A 1440p 180Hz monitor, a 1080p monitor, and a 1080p TV just for sim racing.
I'm considering these upgrades:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory: Corsair 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL38
- Motherboard: ASUS B650E Max Gaming WIFI
The whole upgrade would cost around $1000 in Sweden, but I'm unsure if I'd see significant improvements. A tool suggested that upgrading the GPU might be a better option instead. I've also done some research and noticed that while 12400F is decent, the 9800X3D is a powerhouse. However, for gaming, the performance change might not be major. Should I just wait a year or two for better prices? Any recommendations?
3 Answers
Upgrading to a better GPU sounds smart, especially since you're eyeing a budget that big. Since you have the slower RAM, adding two more sticks of DDR4 3200MHz would also help. If you want to future-proof a bit for CPU upgrades, though, keep in mind your motherboard can support future CPUs if you decide to upgrade later.
I’d definitely recommend swapping out your GPU before anything else and adding more RAM. DDR4 is still quite affordable, so you should be set for a while. Consider getting another 16GB kit of DDR4 3200MHz and upgrading to a 5060 TI or a 9060XT. You'll notice a huge performance boost from that!
Check your GPU utilization while gaming! If it’s maxed out, upgrading that first might be the way to go. If not, it may be your CPU holding things back. Also, don't underestimate the impact of RAM speed, but upgrading your GPU tends to give more noticeable results in gaming overall.

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