I received a PC for Christmas and would like better gaming performance, but I have a limited budget. It has a Ryzen 5 5600GT with integrated Radeon graphics, 16GB of RAM, roughly 496MB of reported graphics memory, and 954GB of storage. I earn about $100 per week from a part-time job, so I can save for an upgrade if it would make a major difference. Should I buy 32GB of RAM, save for a dedicated graphics card, or upgrade something else first?
3 Answers
Don’t upgrade to 32GB of RAM just for higher frame rates. 16GB is generally enough unless you are actually running out of memory, multitasking heavily, or seeing stuttering caused by RAM usage. A graphics card will make a much bigger difference for gaming.
A used GTX 1650 Super for $90 could be a reasonable budget deal if it is tested and in good condition. It should be much faster than the integrated graphics, though compare local prices first and confirm that your power supply and case can support it. If you can wait and save longer, a newer card such as an RX 7600 or RTX 3060 would offer substantially better performance and longevity.
For gaming, prioritize a dedicated graphics card. Even an older used card will be dramatically faster than the 5600GT’s integrated graphics. A GTX 1060 6GB can be a decent low-cost option, while cards such as an RX 7600 or RTX 3060 could provide several times the frame rate if you can save around $225. Check your power supply before buying, since some cards may require more power or extra power connectors.
A 6GB GTX 1060 is preferable to the 3GB version because it has more video memory and avoids the reduced memory bus and performance of the 3GB model. The 3GB card can still work for older games, but it is less suitable for newer titles.