I built my custom PC about six years ago, mainly for gaming and using Adobe software like Substance 3D Painter, which really eats up resources. It runs fine, but I'm starting to see slowdown in newer games unless I set the graphics to medium, and I need a performance boost for 3D modeling tasks as well. I'm not super tech-savvy, so I need some simple advice on what components to upgrade first and what products to consider, especially since some parts can be incompatible with my motherboard.
Here are my current specs:
- **Processor:** i5-11600k
- **Graphics Card:** GTX 1660
- **Motherboard:** Z590 AORUS Elite AX
- **RAM:** 32 GB
I'd appreciate any recommendations you might have!
4 Answers
Look out for the 9060 XT 16 GB for around $350 or the 5060 Ti 16 GB for about $400. If your work needs NVIDIA, then go for the 5060 Ti.
You could start with upgrading your GPU to something like the RTX 4060 if you find a good deal. That should enhance your gaming experience significantly. However, for 3D modeling, consider a full system rebuild, as your current processor is at its limit. Building something fresh could be done for about $1800, and it would handle virtually any game you throw at it.
It seems like your motherboard doesn't really support further upgrades, so eventually you'll have to replace everything. What’s your budget for the upgrade?
I have around £4000, with a bit of flexibility.
I'd suggest upgrading your GPU first, then looking at the CPU next. Your other components seem decent. To check compatibility, use pcpartpicker.com by inputting your motherboard and PSU details to find suitable GPUs on sale. I recommend the Radeon 9060 XT for performance and efficiency, or for NVIDIA, the 5070 with 16 GB RAM would also be solid. If you're planning to upgrade your CPU too, you might want to look at the i9-10900KF, although I usually lean toward AMD. Also, make sure your PSU can handle the new components—pcpartpicker will notify you if it’s insufficient.
Thanks! It’s been around six years, and I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth, so I’m okay with starting from scratch.