I want to start playing newer single-player games at 1440p, but my current system is a Ryzen 5 2600, GTX 1050 Ti, and 16GB of DDR4-3200. The graphics card is clearly the biggest limitation, though the processor is getting old too. Since component prices are unusually high, I'm looking for the smallest and most cost-effective upgrade rather than replacing the entire platform. Should I upgrade only the GPU, or move to a newer AM4 processor as well?
1 Answer
A Ryzen 5 5600 is a very capable and affordable upgrade for this system. With reasonably tuned memory, it should pair well with a modern midrange GPU and deliver a good 1440p experience. The 5800X3D makes more sense if you want to keep the motherboard for several more years and can find the chip at a reasonable price; otherwise, the money may be better spent on the graphics card.
My concern is whether the 5600 will hold up long enough. The 5800X3D costs more now, but it might be the safer choice for keeping the system longer.