I'm planning a PC upgrade and currently have a Core i5-10600KF, 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory, a B460 motherboard, and an RTX 5060. I built the system a while ago and didn't realize at the time that the motherboard would limit memory speeds and overclocking options. I mainly play competitive shooters at 1080p and want to get better use out of my 240Hz monitor. In The Finals, I currently see around 110–150 FPS and would like to reach 200+ FPS with stronger 1% lows. I considered moving to AM5, but current DDR5 pricing makes it difficult to stay under my roughly $800 CAD budget. What upgrade path would offer the best performance for the money?
3 Answers
For the lowest-cost route, you could look at a Ryzen 5 5500X3D with a B550 motherboard, especially if you find a reputable deal. A Ryzen 7 5800X3D would perform better, but its pricing can make the older AM4 platform less attractive. Be cautious with marketplace sellers and verify the CPU’s authenticity and return policy before buying.
If you can stretch the budget by about $100 CAD, a Ryzen 5 7600X3D bundle with a B650 motherboard and 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 memory would be a stronger long-term choice. It costs more now, but it gives you a newer platform and a better upgrade path instead of investing in an older socket.
It’s the better option if you’re trying to save money over several future upgrades, since you won’t need to replace the motherboard and memory as soon.
For an $800 CAD limit, staying with DDR4 is another practical option. A Core i5-14600K, an affordable B760 DDR4 board, a decent tower cooler, and another 16GB kit could fit the budget. That would give you a substantial CPU improvement while letting you keep your existing memory, although the LGA1700 platform has limited future upgrade potential. Make sure the power supply is adequate and that the extra memory matches your current kit as closely as possible.
I haven’t built a PC in a while, so I’m unsure how reliable those marketplace deals are. I remember the prices being good, but quality control and support were questionable.