I'm looking for relatively affordable upgrades that would noticeably improve my current gaming PC without spending a huge amount. My system runs Windows 10 and has an MSI B350M Gaming PRO motherboard, Ryzen 5 1600, 32 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1660 Ti. I'm using a Dell SE2717H monitor at 1080p and 60 Hz. With hardware prices being high, which upgrades would provide the best value, and what should I prioritize first?
3 Answers
If you’re willing to replace the motherboard, a discounted AM4 bundle with a Ryzen 5 5600X3D-class processor, compatible board, and memory can offer excellent gaming performance for around the mid-$300 range. For graphics, a used RX 6700 XT is a good option below roughly $300, while a newer 16 GB midrange card may make sense if your budget is closer to $450–$500. A used RTX 3070 Ti is another possibility, but make sure the price and condition are good before choosing it over newer cards.
Since your monitor is only 1080p at 60 Hz, you may not need an expensive graphics card right away. A CPU upgrade should probably come first, especially if you experience stuttering or poor minimum frame rates. A Ryzen 5 5500 is a cheaper option, though a 5600 is generally the better long-term choice. Also verify BIOS compatibility before purchasing either processor.
A used Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X would be a strong, relatively inexpensive CPU upgrade. Pairing that with a used Radeon RX 6700 XT with 12 GB of VRAM would make a very noticeable difference. Before buying the processor, check whether your specific B350M Gaming PRO supports it and update the BIOS while the Ryzen 5 1600 is still installed, since the system may not boot with the newer CPU until the correct BIOS is installed.
That makes sense. I’ll check BIOS support first and probably prioritize the CPU before replacing the graphics card, since I’m staying at 1080p and 60 Hz for now.