I'm looking to upgrade my gaming PC and could use some advice on which components to focus on first. Here are my current specs:
- **CPU:** Ryzen 5 2600
- **GPU:** EVGA Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080 8GB
- **MOBO:** ASUS Prime B350-Plus
- **RAM:** Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3000MHz
- **POWER SUPPLY:** CORSAIR RMx Series RM650x 80 PLUS GOLD
- **STORAGE:** 1TB SATA SSD, 1TB WD 7200rpm HDD
- **OS:** Windows 10 Home
- **MAIN MONITOR:** ACER GN276HL (1920x1080, 144hz)
- **SECOND MONITOR:** AOC I2267FW (1920x1080, 60hz)
I'm thinking about starting with upgrading my CPU because I believe my current one might bottleneck any other upgrades. If I do upgrade the CPU, I'll also need to upgrade my motherboard. I want to future-proof my system since I plan to eventually upgrade my GPU as well, but that might be more expensive. The only drawback I see with my current GPU is the 8GB of VRAM; while it runs modern games decently, I'm starting to hit limits with newer titles and want to avoid crashes.
Are my thoughts on upgrading sound? What parts do you recommend that are affordable yet provide a noticeable upgrade for longevity and performance?
4 Answers
You don't necessarily have to switch your motherboard if you stay within the AM4 socket. Just get a Ryzen 5 5600X after doing a BIOS update and save for a potential GPU upgrade down the line. The RX 6600 XT is a good option, especially if you're gaming at 1080p.
If you're trying to keep costs down, a good combo would be a used Ryzen 7 3700X and an RX 6600 XT. This setup should give you a solid performance boost without breaking the bank. Upgrading your CPU and GPU together will definitely be noticeable compared to your current setup.
You might want to consider upgrading to a Ryzen 5 5600X or even a 5700X if your budget allows. They fit well with your current motherboard (with a BIOS update) and should work great for 1080p gaming. Regarding the GPU, the GTX 1080 is getting a bit dated, but it performs decently in many games. Just be aware that the VRAM can become a limitation if you're looking to increase your monitor resolution in the future.
Definitely update your BIOS for compatibility with Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. You could go for something like a 5600X, which would work great with your current setup. For GPU, consider the RX 6600 XT or even a used RTX 3070 if you can find a good deal; just remember your PSU is 650W.
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