I'm looking for upgrade advice for a gaming PC. My current system has a 12th-gen Intel Core i7-12700KF, 32 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 with 8 GB of VRAM, and a 650W 80+ power supply. I play on a 3440×1440 ultrawide monitor and have a budget of about £500 (roughly $682). I'd like to run newer AAA games at ultra settings with at least 60 FPS, especially No Man's Sky in VR, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Cyberpunk 2077, Paradox games, and farming or truck simulators. I'm not very experienced with PC upgrades, so I'd appreciate advice on which component would make the biggest difference and whether my power supply is sufficient.
3 Answers
Your processor and 32 GB of RAM are still perfectly capable, so the graphics card is the clear upgrade target. At 3440×1440, the RTX 4060 is likely to struggle with demanding games, particularly with only 8 GB of VRAM. Look for the fastest GPU you can fit within the budget, such as an RX 9070 or a similar current-generation card. A 9070 XT could be worthwhile if you find one at a good price, but check its power requirements first.
The 650W power supply is the part that needs checking before buying anything. It may be enough for some efficient GPU upgrades, but a 9070 XT or another high-end card may call for a stronger, good-quality unit. Check the exact PSU model, not just the wattage and 80+ label. If the unit is older or a low-end model, budgeting for a reliable 750W–850W replacement would be sensible, especially for VR gaming.
The CPU and memory should not be holding you back here; the graphics card and possibly the power supply are the priorities.
I’d leave the i7-12700KF alone and put the entire budget toward a stronger GPU. The jump from an RTX 4060 to a higher-tier card will be much more noticeable at ultrawide 1440p than a CPU or RAM upgrade. You could sell the 4060 to increase the upgrade budget, but compare actual prices and performance before choosing between the RX 9070 and 9070 XT.
The monitor resolution is 3440×1440, and I can spend around £500.