I bought a pre-built gaming PC about four years ago and recently upgraded my RAM from 8GB to 32GB. Now, I'm considering upgrading either my CPU or my GPU to improve my gaming experience, especially for Dune Awakening. I currently have an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (6GB). Since I'm not super knowledgeable about PC hardware, I'm looking for advice on whether I should upgrade the CPU or the GPU first to achieve better graphics and frame rates. I really appreciate any guidance you can offer! Thanks!
3 Answers
What's your budget for the upgrades? It's hard to say without knowing that.
You could upgrade your Ryzen 5 2600 to a Ryzen 5 5600 or even consider the 5700X, but make sure your pre-built motherboard can handle it. You’ll also want to get some new thermal paste or a new cooler while you're at it.
For the GPU, almost any modern card will outperform the 1660 Ti, so if you can, go for something like a 6900 XT 16GB, though there are cheaper options if you need them. Ideally, swapping both CPU and GPU is the best way to go, but if you can only do one, check out benchmarks for Dune Awakening to see what’s needed.
I can spend around $200-300, and I think I want to upgrade the GPU first. I'm just worried about actually switching out the parts without messing everything up! My game does run okay on low/medium settings, but I really want to bump it up to high settings with better FPS.
If you want to play Dune Awakening, you have a couple of paths:
1. Upgrade to a Ryzen 5 3600X or consider getting an RTX 2060 Super.
2. Alternatively, you could just get an entirely new PC if you're willing to go that route.
But honestly, these recommendations seem a bit outdated; you might want to look into newer options.
Yeah, I agree. Those suggestions are from a few years back! There's definitely better options available now.
Upgrade your CPU to a Ryzen 5 5600 and pair it with the best GPU you can get that fits your power supply. This combo will definitely help improve your gaming performance.
I totally get that! You could definitely start with the GPU; it might have a bigger impact on your gaming experience. Just take your time when you're switching out the components, and you should be alright!