I recently upgraded from an overclocked RTX 3070 to an RX 9070 XT, and I'm really happy with the performance. I also upgraded to a 34-inch 3440×1440 180 Hz monitor, so I'm wondering what part would make the most sense to upgrade next. I suspect my RAM may be the weak point, but I'm not sure whether I should focus on capacity, memory speed, the CPU, or even moving to a newer platform.
My current system:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3
- Motherboard: ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II
- Memory: 16GB (2×8GB) Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4-2666
- Storage: Samsung 870 EVO 1TB
- GPU: XFX Quicksilver Radeon RX 9070 XT
- Case: MSI MPG Gungnir 100
- PSU: Seasonic Focus 850W 80+ Gold
- Monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming VG34VQL3A, 34-inch 3440×1440 at 180Hz
Would 32GB of RAM be the best next step, and is faster DDR4 worth paying extra for at this resolution? Or would I get more noticeable results from upgrading the CPU or moving to a DDR5-based platform?
4 Answers
The most straightforward upgrade while staying on AM4 would be a Ryzen 7 5700X3D, assuming you can find one at a sensible price. It would give you a strong gaming uplift over the 5600X and should pair nicely with the 9070 XT, especially if you’re aiming for high refresh rates.
There’s no urgent need to replace the GPU, power supply, storage, or cooler. If you want the least expensive improvement, go with 32GB of RAM and then consider a 5700X3D. If you’re comfortable spending more, skip further AM4 upgrades and save for an AM5 platform instead. Fine-tuning the memory can also improve performance a little once the basic upgrade is done.
You could replace the CPU, motherboard, and RAM together and move to AM5. A Ryzen 5 7600 or a discounted 7600X3D with a B650 board and 32GB of DDR5 would give you a newer upgrade path and better long-term support. It costs more upfront, but it avoids investing heavily in an aging AM4 platform.
Upgrade to 32GB first, ideally as a 2×16GB kit. Your current 16GB is becoming limiting in newer games and general multitasking. DDR4-3200 or DDR4-3600 would be preferable, but capacity matters more than chasing very high memory speeds. At 3440×1440, the GPU usually matters more, so don’t overpay for a small RAM-speed difference.
Is memory speed more important than capacity at 3440×1440? I found an affordable 32GB DDR4-2666 kit, but 3200MHz kits cost noticeably more where I live.