Hey everyone, I'm a total newbie looking to upgrade my gaming PC on a tight budget of $500. Right now, I have an Intel i7-4770S CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU with a Dell motherboard. I've been playing games like God of War: Ragnarok and The Last of Us Part 1 Remake, but I'm struggling to get good FPS—around 50-60fps on medium settings in Ragnarok and only 25-30fps on low-medium settings in TLOU. I'm looking to upgrade to an MSI MAG B660M motherboard, an i5-12400F CPU, and possibly some 16GB DDR4 RAM. Do you think this upgrade will significantly improve my FPS and allow me to play on higher settings? Or should I also consider upgrading my GPU? I've been considering the RTX 3060, but money's tight. I've tried checking for bottlenecks, but the answers vary a lot. Also, should I look for parts somewhere other than Facebook Marketplace?
3 Answers
You're definitely going to see improvements with the CPU upgrade, especially since the i7-4770S is quite dated. However, for a notable boost in FPS, upgrading your GPU as well will make a significant difference. Your current GPU can handle some games at 1080p, but it may struggle overall in more demanding titles. If money allows, upgrading the GPU later would be key. Also, keep in mind that you'll need to buy RAM since your current setup likely uses DDR3, and you're aiming for DDR4.
Also, ensure your power supply is good enough to handle the new parts if you go for a GPU upgrade in the future.
It's true that you're going to need a motherboard and RAM upgrade due to your current Dell setup. Many forums suggest it's an outdated platform, so you'll likely have to invest in a new case and power supply as well to accommodate standard parts. Given that, you might want to consider building a new system altogether, even if it means a slight delay in upgrading your GPU too. However, if you refactor your budget a bit, go ahead with your current CPU and motherboard choices and plan for GPU upgrades later!
I've also seen some good deals on parts at local computer shops and online marketplaces aside from Facebook. Keep an eye out on those!
Just a heads up about that RAM you mentioned; missing it could bottleneck your performance. Grab a new kit.
If you're mainly playing those resource-heavy games, I'd advise against skimping on RAM. Opting for a full 32GB would be better in the long run as it can future-proof your system. Regarding the GPU, yes, you can keep the RTX 2060 for now, but seriously consider saving up for something like the RTX 3060 in the near future to really upgrade your gaming experience!
I second that! Higher RAM capacity could really improve game stability, especially in those intense moments.
Also, when you're able to upgrade your GPU, keep an eye on what games are demanding more power.
Yeah, I agree! Upgrading to DDR4 is a must, and I'd suggest looking into getting a decent 16GB kit since it might help with performance in newer titles.