I'm currently using a GTX 970 with 16GB of RAM and a Ryzen 7 1800X, along with a 750W power supply. I want to upgrade my system to maintain 1080p gaming for the next few years at a steady 60 FPS on medium to high settings, especially for newer titles like Elden Ring and Battlefield 6. The recommended GPU for Battlefield 6 is a 2060. I'm wondering what the best upgrade path is: should I prioritize buying a new GPU now and use it with my current parts, or would it be smarter to focus on getting a new motherboard/CPU or motherboard/RAM combo first? I'm a bit lost, especially with how complicated the GPU market is right now.
3 Answers
If you can update your BIOS, consider getting a Ryzen 5600 or 5600X; that could give you a serious performance boost. Also, the RX 9060 XT would complement those new parts nicely. Just be aware that your RAM might be holding everything back, so look into upgrading that as well along the way. RAM speed matters a lot for these newer CPUs!
I recommend checking out second-hand parts, like a used RTX 3060 Ti, which can go for about $200-$250. It’s a capable card for 1080p gaming. Also, don’t forget that you might still get a decent upgrade from your CPU, like a Ryzen 5600 or similar. Just check if your motherboard can support those newer chips — that could really amp up your gaming experience without breaking the bank.
That’s interesting! Would a new GPU and loading a better CPU now be worth it, or should I focus on making a complete system upgrade to save hassle later?
You should definitely look into getting a new GPU first. The Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB is a solid choice, especially if you're playing demanding games. It's worth noting that your current CPU, the Ryzen 7 1800X, should handle 1080p gaming just fine, at least for now. However, you may want to think about a future-proof plan; your AM4 setup limits you if you want to upgrade your CPU later, so keep that in mind if you're considering a complete overhaul down the road.
That sounds good! I'm considering the 9060 XT too. Do you think the 1800X would bottleneck it at all? I’m worried it might hold back the GPU's performance.
I was worried about the RAM too; it’s probably slower than it should be. What speed do you think I should aim for if I upgrade?