I bought a prebuilt PC expecting to play games such as Counter-Strike and Valorant, but the performance is extremely choppy. The system has a Ryzen 5 5600GT with integrated AMD Vega graphics, 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory, a 512GB NVMe SSD, and a 550W 80 Plus Bronze power supply. It does not have a dedicated graphics card. What component should I upgrade first, and are there any settings I can change in the meantime?
3 Answers
The main limitation is the lack of a dedicated graphics card. The integrated Vega graphics can run lighter games, but 1080p at smooth frame rates is not realistic in many titles. Try low settings at 720p or 900p, and make sure the integrated graphics is using both memory channels if possible. For a real upgrade, add a dedicated GPU; the Ryzen 5 5600GT should be adequate for an entry-level or midrange card.
This is basically an office PC with extra lighting rather than a proper gaming build. Five RGB fans do not improve frame rates. If the computer was sold as a gaming PC with smooth 1080p performance, returning it and getting a refund may be a better option than spending more money on it. Otherwise, lower the resolution and every quality setting until you can install a dedicated GPU.
The CPU, 16GB of RAM, and SSD are usable for gaming. The graphics hardware is what needs attention first. Before buying anything, check whether the 550W power supply has the proper PCIe power connectors and is from a reputable manufacturer. If it is a generic unit, replacing it may also be necessary before installing a stronger graphics card.
The advertised claim about 1080p gaming-quality performance is very optimistic. Expect roughly 30 FPS or less in demanding games at 1080p, with better results at lower resolution and settings.