I'm thinking about upgrading the CPU in my PC and need some advice. Currently, I'm using a Ryzen 5 3400G, and I'm running into serious lag while video editing at 1080p, especially in DaVinci Resolve. It takes forever to process even minor edits, which wasn't the case before. Additionally, I have issues when streaming or recording at 720p that seem to be getting worse over time. I usually play lighter games like Rocket League and prefer lower settings, so I'm not too worried about top-tier performance.
Here's my current setup:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 3400G
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- GPU: RX 580
I'm considering upgrading to a Ryzen 5 5500 and increasing my RAM to 32GB (I have some spare RAM lying around). The 5500 is the most affordable option I can find at about $110 CAD, which seems like it could offer decent performance without breaking the bank. I'm hesitant about investing in a newer CPU socket that would require replacing my entire setup since I'm a university student and will only be using this rig regularly for about a year. I also plan to upgrade my storage to a 1 or 2TB SSD.
Overall, my goal is to extend the lifespan of my rig, built in March 2020, by at least two years until I can do a full upgrade in May 2027, when I graduate. Is it worth it to spend the money on the Ryzen 5 5500, or would the performance gain not justify the cost? Also, I might need to replace the thermal paste on my current CPU, which could help with the lag issues.
2 Answers
I think the upgrade is worth it! The performance increase might not be night and day, but for tasks like editing and streaming, every bit helps. Plus, extending the life of your rig for another couple of years fits your timeline well. Just keep in mind that the 5500 doesn’t have integrated graphics, so if anything happens to your GPU, you’d need to replace it right away.
Upgrading to the Ryzen 5 5500 sounds like a solid plan! It should give you a noticeable boost in performance for video editing and help with your streaming issues. Just make sure your motherboard (the ASRock B450M Pro4 is fine for this upgrade) is compatible and that you have a good cooling solution, especially since thermal paste replacement can help with your current setup. Getting that extra RAM in there will definitely help too, especially with multitasking.
Yeah, upgrading the thermal paste could make a difference too! It’s great that you already have the RAM, and it’s good to know it plays nicely with your motherboard.
Good point about the integrated graphics! Glad to see you’re thinking ahead with your setup!