I'm trying to figure out the most sensible way to upgrade my aging gaming PC, especially with DDR5 memory still being expensive. My current system has an Intel Core i5-6600K, 32GB of 2133MHz DDR4, a GTX 1070, two 250GB Samsung SSDs, and a 1TB hard drive. I'd like to play BF6 with friends, ideally at 1080p and around 60 FPS. Is my existing DDR4 worth reusing? Is the CPU holding me back more than the graphics card? Would it make sense to buy a used AM4 motherboard and Ryzen processor, or should I prioritize a newer GPU?
3 Answers
Your GTX 1070 may still be usable at 1080p, depending on the game’s final requirements and the settings you choose. I’d upgrade the CPU and motherboard first if the current processor is causing stutter or poor minimum FPS, then replace the GPU later. Before buying a graphics card, check that your power supply has enough wattage and the required PCIe power connectors. Upgrading the RAM should be the lowest priority unless you move to a platform that requires DDR5.
The existing DDR4 is slow, but it can still be reused in an AM4 system. A used Ryzen 5 3600 or 5600 with a B450 or B550 motherboard would offer good value. If you can find a Ryzen X3D chip such as a 5600X3D or 5800X3D at a good price, that would be even better for gaming because the extra cache helps offset slower memory. Put whatever budget remains toward a faster graphics card.
The right choice depends heavily on your budget and target resolution. For 1080p gaming, the i5-6600K is likely to limit a newer graphics card, especially in a large multiplayer game. A used Ryzen 5 3600 or 5600 with a compatible board is a sensible low-cost upgrade. If you have more money available, a newer platform such as a Core i5-14600KF with a DDR4 motherboard is also an option, though it may be more than you need.
DDR4 memory won’t carry over to a DDR5-only platform, so keeping it makes an AM4 or DDR4-compatible build much cheaper.
That’s probably the most practical route. You can keep the older memory for now and replace it later if you find a good deal on faster DDR4.