I want to modernize my older gaming PC for around £500. The main parts I'd like to replace are the CPU, motherboard, and RAM, but I'm open to replacing anything else if compatibility or reliability requires it.
My current system has an Intel Core i5-4690K, Gigabyte Z97 motherboard, 16GB of DDR3-1866 memory, a GTX 1070, a Corsair H60 cooler, a 550W Corsair VS power supply, and a mix of SATA SSDs and a hard drive. I mainly play Marvel Rivals, World of Warcraft, and Age of Empires II, so I'm not targeting especially demanding games. What would be the best upgrade path within this budget?
3 Answers
For this budget, AM4 is probably the best value. Look for a Ryzen 5 5500 or, preferably, a Ryzen 5 5600, paired with a B550 motherboard and 16GB of DDR4. A used bundle could make this especially affordable. If there’s money left over, 32GB of RAM would be useful, but the CPU and platform upgrade should come first.
A Ryzen 5 5600, B550 board, and 16GB DDR4 kit should fit comfortably under £500 through a mix of retailers and used parts. Your GTX 1070 is still adequate for those games, while the old quad-core CPU is more likely to hold performance back. You could consider a graphics card upgrade later rather than trying to replace everything now.
The power supply is worth checking before installing new hardware. The VS550 is an older entry-level unit, so replacing it with a modern, good-quality 550–650W model would improve reliability, particularly if you later upgrade the graphics card. Also confirm whether the H60 has the correct AM4 mounting hardware; otherwise, a basic modern air cooler is an inexpensive replacement.
That sounds like a good approach. At current prices, those parts look like they can come in slightly under budget, especially if I compare multiple sellers or buy a used bundle.