I'm currently away from home and trying to figure out the safest way to upgrade my compact gaming PC. It uses a Lian Li Q58 case, an AMD Ryzen 5 six-core processor running at 3.6 GHz, 16 GB of TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan Z memory, a 2 TB Samsung SSD, a GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6 GB graphics card, and an EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GM power supply. I'd like to play most modern games at 1080p with medium to high settings. I'm not aiming for an extreme or enthusiast-level build, just a noticeable improvement, and I'm unsure whether I should upgrade only the graphics card or replace other components too. I'm also not certain which Ryzen generation or exact memory specifications I have.
2 Answers
The graphics card is probably the best place to start, but the exact Ryzen model matters before choosing the rest of the upgrade. You can find it in Windows Task Manager under Performance > CPU, or with a tool such as CPU-Z. Also check the memory speed and whether the two sticks are running in dual-channel mode. Depending on the graphics card you choose, the 550W power supply may be sufficient, but higher-end cards could require a stronger unit. Since this is a small case, check the card’s physical length, thickness, and power connectors before buying.
For a sensible 1080p upgrade, a stronger graphics card should give you the most immediate improvement over the GTX 1660 Super. A used Radeon RX 6700 XT is a good value option with plenty of memory, while a newer midrange card such as an RX 9060 XT could also be worth considering if pricing is reasonable. After upgrading the GPU, replace the processor only if testing shows it is holding the card back. If your system uses a compatible older AM4 Ryzen chip, a gaming-focused processor such as a Ryzen 5 5600X3D or 5500X3D can be a strong upgrade, though compatibility and availability should be checked first.
That helps a lot. I’m not trying to build the fastest possible system, so a solid 1080p upgrade at reasonable settings is exactly what I’m after. I’ll check the processor model and make sure any graphics card fits the case and works with the power supply.