I built my PC back in 2019, and while it's served me well, I'm encountering some struggles with newer games. I'm planning to upgrade within the next 3 to 6 months. I know that upgrading my CPU or GPU will necessitate getting a new PSU and motherboard since my current setup is pretty limited—just one M.2 slot isn't cutting it anymore. I'm also contemplating whether to switch to AM5 or stick with AM4 for the CPU; I've seen that the 5700X3D looks like a solid choice for an upgrade. In terms of GPUs, I want to steer clear of NVIDIA since their pricing for VRAM doesn't seem justified to me, and I don't care about ray tracing. I'm mainly interested in top-notch rasterization performance without relying much on technologies like DLSS. My monitor supports 1440p and 120Hz, and I'm hoping to keep my budget around $1,000. Any advice on the best direction to take would be appreciated!
1 Answer
If you're looking to upgrade, I suggest sticking with AM4 for now since it's more budget-friendly. Down the road, you can transition to AM5 when prices come down. Also, consider boosting your RAM from 16 GB to 32 GB; 32 GB kits are super affordable right now—around $40. For storage, if you want more space, a SATA SSD could do the trick since the speed is okay for game storage. Regarding GPUs, aiming for a 3060 Ti or better will significantly improve your performance. If you lean toward AMD, the RX 6700 XT is a solid choice that competes well with the 3060 Ti. VRAM-wise, aim for 8-12 GB for most games, but if you play graphically demanding titles, 12 GB or more is better. And yes, you'll definitely need a PSU upgrade—about 700 watts should be more than enough depending on its efficiency rating. Let me know if you need more detailed guidance!
I checked and it looks like the 3060 Ti offers about a 16% performance boost compared to my 2070 Super, and the 6700 XT is around 20%. Does that sound right?