I've been using an Intel i3-10100 with a GTX 1650 for several years. It handles lighter 1080p gaming such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals, but I'm starting to notice stuttering. My upgrade budget is around $300, and I'm unsure whether to replace the graphics card, upgrade the processor, or switch platforms entirely. I've considered moving to a Ryzen 5 5600 with a new compatible motherboard, but I'm not sure the gaming improvement would justify the cost. My power supply is currently rated at 550W, though I may upgrade it later. What would be the best upgrade path for this budget?
4 Answers
With only about $300, switching platforms probably isn’t the best value. A Ryzen 5 5600 plus a motherboard would use most of the budget before you even improve the graphics performance. Look for a used Intel i5-10400F or i5-11400F instead, assuming your motherboard and BIOS support the newer chip. If you can find one cheaply, an i7-10700F or i7-11700F would give you more breathing room. Then save for a graphics card upgrade later. Your 550W power supply should be checked for quality and connectors before buying a faster GPU.
A Ryzen 5 5500 can be a decent inexpensive processor, but it only makes sense if you already have a compatible motherboard. Buying the chip and a new board together would leave too little of a $300 budget for the graphics card, and moving from the i3-10100 may not feel dramatic in games where the GTX 1650 is the main bottleneck.
The GTX 1650 is likely the biggest limitation in most games, especially at 1080p. If your processor is still reaching high usage or causing frame-time spikes, a used CPU upgrade can help with stuttering, but a stronger GPU will usually provide the more noticeable improvement in image quality and average frame rate. Look for cards such as a Radeon RX 6600 or 6600 XT, or a used RTX 2060 Super or RTX 3060. Make sure the power supply is reliable before upgrading.
I’m using a 550W power supply now, but replacing it is also on my upgrade list.
For the lowest-cost CPU upgrade, an i5-10400F is worth considering because it uses the same general platform as your current processor and adds two cores and four threads. It should be much cheaper than buying a new motherboard and Ryzen processor. Check your motherboard’s supported CPU list and BIOS version first, since compatibility with 11th-generation chips varies by board.
The 10400F and 11400F are roughly $150–$200 where I live, so I’ll have to compare that against used graphics cards.