I'm looking to upgrade my PC, and I'm a bit unsure about my current plan. Back in 2021, I built my rig using an old power supply unit (PSU) and a graphics card (GPU). Here are the specs:
- GPU: GTX 1070 (I didn't opt for a better one due to high prices)
- CPU: Ryzen 7 5800X (8 core, 16 threads)
- Motherboard: MSI B550-A Pro
- RAM: 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600 MHz
- PSU: Xilence Peak Power 700W (from early 2017)
I'd like to game on Borderlands 4 at 1920x1200 with medium to high settings, aiming for 60 fps, and potentially play Elder Scrolls 6 in the future. I'm also considering getting a 144Hz 1080p monitor eventually.
I have some questions about my upgrade plan:
1. Do I really need 32GB of RAM? If I buy another 2x8GB module, can I still use XMP to get better performance?
2. I'm thinking of getting a Sapphire PULSE RX 9070 for its size and price-performance ratio.
3. Regarding my PSU, should I replace it because of its age? It has limited PCIe cables, and I've heard that Xilence quality isn't great - is it safe to keep, or could it fail if it has to draw too much power? If it can't handle the power needs and slows down, how would I know? I'm leaning towards replacing it with another 700W PSU for safety.
3 Answers
You're doing well with your current setup! Adding a modern GPU will certainly give your rig a fresh feel. The 5800X is a solid CPU. The 9070 is a good choice if it fits your budget, as you'll probably want to upgrade to 1440p later on. As for RAM, I'd suggest holding off until prices drop a bit. Your PSU should be fine for now; they usually last quite a while, but it wouldn't hurt to jot down a new one for a future wishlist!
For 1080p gaming, you might want to consider the 9060 XT 16GB version instead of the 9070. It'll handle most games just fine with your current CPU and a simple 2x8GB RAM setup. You could use the savings for an 850W modular PSU, which would give you some extra headroom for future upgrades.
Going for 32GB of RAM could be a wise move for future-proofing, seeing as games are slowly creeping past the 16GB mark. That's true that a 9070 might be overkill for 1080p. The 9060 XT should last you nicely for around $200 less.
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