Hey everyone! I'm looking for some help with upgrading my PC on a budget since I'm not very tech-savvy. I got my current setup as a hand-me-down around 3-4 years ago. Here are my specs:
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 7 2700 (8 cores / 16 threads, 3.9 GHz boost)
- **GPU**: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080ti 11GB (recently upgraded from a GTX 770 for $150 CAD)
- **Motherboard**: ASUS PRIME B350-PLUS
- **RAM**: 16GB - DDR4 Corsair Vengeance LPX (around 3000 MHz)
- **PSU**: Seasonic SSR-550RM 550W
- **Storage**: SSD1 - 222GB Crucial, SSD2 - 223GB ADATA, HDD - 1TB
- **Monitors**: 2 x 1920x1080 60hz
I mainly play Paradox strategy games like Civilization VI and Crusader Kings 3, as well as classics like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, Minecraft, and Age of Empires IV. I've heard these can be CPU-heavy games, and I want to upgrade my system to be somewhat future-proof within a budget of less than $500 CAD.
Regarding the upgrades I've considered: for CPUs, I'm thinking about the Ryzen 5 5600x or Ryzen 7 5700x. I'm planning to stick to 1080p for my monitors since my GPU can handle that, and I'm not too picky since I'm budget-conscious. As for storage, I feel my current SSDs are a bottleneck and am looking at getting a 1TB Samsung 870 EVO.
I'd love any recommendations or thoughts on the best upgrade path I should take! Thanks a bunch!
2 Answers
Nice setup you've got there! Definitely consider a Ryzen 5000 series CPU for the best performance. The 5600x should be relatively affordable and a nice upgrade without breaking the bank. For storage, I recommend looking for an NVMe SSD if your motherboard supports it since it's faster than a SATA one. You’ll notice a big boost in load times!
I think upgrading to the Ryzen 5700x is a great option for you! Your GTX 1080 ti should handle 1080p gaming just fine, so focus on the CPU. Just make sure to check for any used options for the 5700x, which could save you some cash!
That sounds good! Do I need to do a clean install of Windows when switching to the new SSD?