I'm looking to upgrade my gaming PC, and I need some advice on the right path to take. Currently, my setup includes an Asrock A520m-hdv motherboard, a Ryzen 3 5300G CPU with the stock cooler, 16GB of 3200MHz CL16 RAM, a 512GB SATA SSD, a generic power supply, and a generic case with the power supply located at the top. My plan is to start by replacing the case and power supply first since I've heard that generic power supplies can damage components. Once that's done, I want to add a GPU. Should I focus on getting a good graphics card right away, or would it be better to upgrade my CPU to a 5600G or 5700G for better performance before getting the GPU?
3 Answers
I suggest you avoid the G series APUs if you're planning to get a GPU soon. Start by swapping out that power supply for something at least C tier or better. Next, get a decent GPU to really boost your gaming experience. After that, consider upgrading your CPU to something like a 5600X paired with a quality cooler. If you want a new case, you can do that afterwards. For now, just take the side panel off your current case if that helps with cooling!
Totally agree on the PSU upgrade being the first step. You can find good 750W gold efficiency power supplies starting at around $85 USD with solid warranties. After you've got that sorted, grab a GPU, and you should be able to upgrade to an R5-5600 (like the 5600T or 5600X) pretty easily.
Just a heads up, with that motherboard's VRM limitations, I wouldn't go for anything beyond a 5500 or 5600. Alternatively, you might want to consider moving to an Intel setup for more up-to-date performance, like going with a 12600K or 14600K on a compatible motherboard.
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