I'm looking to upgrade my PC, which currently has a Ryzen 5 3600, a Gigabyte RTX 2060, 32GB of T-Force Delta 3200MHz RAM, an ASUS Prime B550M-A motherboard, and a 650W power supply. My budget is between $450 and $500, and I'm focusing on changing both the CPU and GPU without needing to replace the motherboard. What are the best options available for me? Also, will upgrading to a newer CPU require a complicated BIOS upgrade?
3 Answers
If you're determined to stick with your AM4 setup, I'd recommend aiming for the Ryzen 7 5700X3D if you can find it at a reasonable price. It might cost around $250 on sites like AliExpress. If that's a bit steep, consider the Ryzen 5 5800X, which is typically around $170 on Amazon. As for the GPU, you might want to look at something like the RX 7800 XT, though it's priced high. Just make sure to check if you need to update your BIOS for the new CPU; the process is usually straightforward with your existing processor.
Honestly, if you're on that budget, I think sticking with the 2060 a little longer while you save for a better GPU might be wise. You could potentially go all in for AM5 later, but it seems a bit tough to do with $500 right now. Maybe consider just upgrading the CPU for now while you save more for the full build later on.
If you're looking at AM5, Microcenter has some sweet combo deals. It's an investment, but it allows for future upgrades too. Just keep in mind that AM4 parts are getting harder to find, so if you plan on upgrading later, AM5 seems like a better path in the long run.
Jumping to AM5 sounds cool, but isn't that super costly? A new mobo, CPU, RAM, plus the pricing on DDR5 is just intense! If you're located in the UAE, getting used parts can be tricky, too.