Hey everyone! I haven't touched my gaming PC in over 8 years, and I'm thinking about upgrading it with an RTX 3060 graphics card to be able to play newer games. My current setup includes an Intel Core i7-6700 CPU running at 3.40GHz, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970. I'm not really familiar with hardware, so I also don't know what my motherboard or power supply is, but I'm worried about compatibility. Should I stick to upgrading the GPU, or is it better to just save up for a brand new PC?
3 Answers
Honestly, with a PC that old, you might be better off saving up for a whole new system. The i7-6700 could bottleneck the performance of the new GPU, and compatibility issues might arise with your motherboard and power supply.
Username checks out!
If you’re considering the 3060, look into the 5060 as well – they're often similar in price but offer better performance. Just keep in mind that it has less VRAM, but you should be fine with 1080p gaming.
Would I need to upgrade anything else, like the motherboard or PSU, if I go for the 5060?
First off, you'll want to check if your power supply has an 8-pin PCIe connector since that's needed to power the RTX 3060 properly. It's crucial to ensure compatibility before buying anything!
I'm on a budget though 🙁