I have an older gaming PC that has served me well, but I want to get back into gaming and improve its performance. The current system has an Intel Core i5-9600K, an NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super, and 64 GB of DDR4 memory. Since the LGA1151 platform has limited upgrade options, I am considering moving to an AM4 motherboard and AMD processor so I can keep using my existing RAM. However, I could also sell the current parts and move to AM5 with DDR5 if the performance increase is substantial enough. I am also considering upgrading the graphics card. My budget is approximately €1,000, although spending less would be preferable. I already have the other components, so I would mainly need a GPU, CPU, motherboard, and possibly RAM. I currently play at 4K and 60 Hz, including games such as The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and newer AAA releases. What combination would provide the best gaming performance for this budget?
5 Answers
A budget AM5 build is also worth comparing if DDR5 prices are reasonable where you live. Sell the current memory and platform, then choose an affordable Ryzen 5 processor, a basic B650 motherboard, and 32 GB of DDR5. It will be faster and give you a better future upgrade path than AM4, but only choose it if the platform cost does not reduce the GPU to a level that makes the whole build slower in 4K games.
At 4K, the graphics card is generally the most important upgrade, although the six-core i5 can still cause stuttering in CPU-heavy games. A sensible lower-cost route would be a B550 motherboard, a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or 5800X3D if priced reasonably, and a stronger GPU such as an RX 9070-class card. That lets you reuse the 64 GB of DDR4 and puts more of the budget toward graphics performance. Make sure the power supply has enough capacity and is a good-quality model.
The ideal upgrade order depends on the display. At 1080p and high refresh rates, the processor matters much more. At 1440p and especially 4K, the GPU usually has the larger impact, though a six-thread processor can still produce dips and stutter in simulations and large open-world games. Since the current display is 4K at 60 Hz, prioritize the GPU unless the existing CPU is already causing noticeable performance problems.
Before replacing the platform, consider whether you actually need 64 GB of RAM. If you do not use it for work or heavy multitasking, selling the current components and memory could help fund a new AM5 system with DDR5. AM5 offers a stronger upgrade path and better long-term value, but the extra cost may force you into a weaker graphics card today.
AM4 is the best value if keeping the existing memory is important. A Ryzen 5 5600X is cheaper, but an X3D chip is a better gaming upgrade and should age better. Pair it with a B550 board and spend the remaining money on the fastest GPU that fits the budget. Depending on local pricing, options around the RX 9070 GRE, RX 9070, or RTX 5070 tier could make sense.
This stays within the budget while providing a substantial improvement, especially at 4K where the GPU upgrade will be most noticeable.