I'm planning a PC upgrade and currently have an RTX 5060 paired with an older i5-9600K and 16GB of DDR4 memory. I'm happy gaming at 1440p as long as frame rates are solid, but I'm wondering whether the CPU will hold the graphics card back. With a budget of roughly 2,000 AUD, would it be smarter to replace the CPU and motherboard now, or keep the current platform and upgrade other components first?
3 Answers
At 1440p, the RTX 5060 will usually be the limiting component before the i5-9600K, so I wouldn’t rush into a CPU and motherboard replacement unless you’re seeing the processor near full usage or experiencing stuttering. A newer midrange CPU such as an i5-12400F can also handle an RTX 5060 without problems, but the upgrade may not make a dramatic difference at this resolution.
Check actual usage while playing your usual games before upgrading. If the CPU is regularly around 95–100% while the GPU is underutilized, then a CPU upgrade makes sense. Otherwise, keep the 9600K and put the money toward memory, storage, or a future graphics card upgrade. Adding another 16GB DDR4 stick could also help if your current 16GB setup is running in single-channel mode.
A 700W power supply is generally enough for an RTX 5060, provided it’s a decent-quality unit and has the required power connector. There’s no reason to replace it automatically; check its model, age, and condition first. With a budget around 2,000 AUD, I’d avoid buying parts like a new motherboard or liquid cooler unless your testing shows the current system is actually holding you back.
I’ve seen an RTX 5060 paired with an i5-12400F and it runs smoothly, so there’s no need to spend heavily on the platform just to avoid a theoretical bottleneck.