I built my PC nearly 11 years ago, and it currently has an Intel i5-6600K, a GTX 1070 that replaced a failed GTX 980 Ti, and an otherwise aging platform. It has felt increasingly limited since around 2020, but I can now start upgrading gradually.
My initial plan was to move to an AM5 processor and motherboard, buy one DDR5 stick first, add a second stick later, then upgrade the graphics card and eventually replace the power supply and possibly the case. Since I play at 1080p and 144 Hz, I'm not urgently chasing higher GPU performance; I mainly want the system to feel faster and smoother overall.
Would it be better to upgrade the platform first and keep the GTX 1070 for a while, or prioritize the graphics card? What order makes the most sense when buying parts over time?
4 Answers
I’d start with the platform upgrade: CPU, motherboard, and a matched two-stick DDR5 kit. That gives you a modern base with a clear upgrade path, while the GTX 1070 should still be usable at 1080p. Add the new GPU later when you find a worthwhile price. I’d also replace the power supply before installing a much faster graphics card if the current one is around ten years old.
Buy the RAM as a matched kit rather than purchasing one stick now and trying to add another later. Different DDR5 kits can have compatibility or stability problems, especially when using memory overclocking profiles. Platform bundles can also be a good way to save money compared with buying each part separately.
There’s also a cheaper route: look at a used previous-generation platform or a secondhand business PC, then spend more of the budget on the GPU. That makes sense if you need the lowest total cost, but a current AM5 system will last longer and gives you more room to upgrade later.
The best order depends on what feels slowest. If gaming performance is the main issue, the graphics card usually gives the largest immediate improvement. But since you’re playing at 1080p and mainly want better general responsiveness, keeping the 1070 and moving to a newer CPU platform first is reasonable. Check the health of your current storage too, and budget for an NVMe SSD if the existing drive is old or nearly full.
Since I’m using a 1080p 144 Hz monitor, I’m not in a rush to replace the 1070. My bigger priority is making the whole computer feel faster and smoother.