I've been using an Intel i3-10100 and GTX 1650 for several years. They handle lighter 1080p gaming such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals, but I'm beginning to notice stuttering. My upgrade budget is about $300, and I currently have a 550W power supply, though I may replace it later. I considered switching to a Ryzen 5 5600 with a new motherboard, but I'm unsure whether that would provide a noticeable gaming improvement compared with upgrading the graphics card or buying a faster processor that still works with my current motherboard. What would be the best upgrade path for this budget?
4 Answers
Both parts are entry-level and are limiting performance in different ways. Since you already have an LGA1200 motherboard, it may be cheaper to upgrade to a used i5-10400F or i5-11400F, assuming your board and BIOS support it. A used i7-10700F or i7-11700F would provide more headroom, but only makes sense if the price is reasonable. After that, look at a used RX 6600 XT, RTX 3060, or RTX 2060 Super. A 550W power supply can be enough for those cards if it is a decent-quality unit.
For modern games, the GTX 1650 is likely to be the biggest limitation, especially if you are playing at 1080p and turning up visual settings. If the CPU is not constantly hitting high usage while the GPU is near 100%, prioritize the graphics card. Used Radeon cards often offer the best performance per dollar, and there are many options that would be a substantial step up from the GTX 1650. Make sure the card’s power requirements match your current PSU.
The Ryzen 5 5500 is also a capable low-cost gaming CPU, but it is not a drop-in upgrade for your current system. You would need an AM4 motherboard, and once that cost is included, it may be less attractive than buying a used 10th- or 11th-generation Intel processor. It’s worth considering only if you find a particularly good CPU-and-motherboard deal.
A Ryzen 5 5500 cannot fit in an Intel motherboard, so switching to it requires replacing the board as well.
With only about $300 available, changing to AM4 may not be the best value because you would need both the Ryzen 5 5600 and a motherboard. A used i5-10400F or i5-11400F could be a much cheaper CPU upgrade on your current platform, leaving more money for a graphics card. Check your motherboard’s CPU support list before buying an 11th-generation chip.
The compatible Intel chips seem to cost roughly $150–$200 where I live, so I’m comparing that against the cost of a GPU upgrade.
The 550W power supply is still installed, but replacing it is also on my upgrade list.