I've been having a tough time with my old PC while trying to enjoy modded Minecraft and Elder Scrolls. I'm frequently getting notifications about not having enough memory and my FPS is tanking. I'm not sure if the issue lies with my current setup or if I just need a more powerful machine, but I think it's definitely time for an upgrade. My current build has some compatibility issues, like not all USB ports functioning and I'm confused about where my 1TB of storage has gone—I'm facing storage and memory problems. With a budget of around $500, what upgrades would you suggest? Here's what I've got:
- **Case**: Thermaltake Level 20 MT ATX Mid Tower Case
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHZ 6-Core Processor
- **CPU Cooler**: Deepcool GAMMAXX GT 29.5 CFM CPU Cooler
- **Motherboard**: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard
- **Memory**: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2x8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
- **Storage**: Addlink S70 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
- **Video Card**: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB GAMING OC Video Card
- **Power Supply**: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Thanks for any advice!
2 Answers
With a $500 budget, I'd focus on buying additional RAM, especially since it's easy to install. Perhaps bump your total up to 32 GB for better multitasking. Your GPU is still okay, but if you notice performance dips, consider saving for a future upgrade there. As for storage issues, definitely look into getting another SSD to avoid running low on space, which can also help with performance when gaming. If you can stretch your budget a bit more later, an AM5 upgrade is worth considering. It'd be a solid investment!
It sounds like your system might be struggling with both RAM and VRAM. If you're getting memory notifications, upgrading your RAM could help, and it’s pretty straightforward to do—just buy new sticks and install them. As for VRAM, that’s tied to your GPU, which is still decent but might struggle with mods. Also, check your 1TB SSD; if you're running out of space, adding an extra SSD can be a simple fix. Lastly, keep an eye on your CPU temperatures—it might just need some new thermal paste after five years!
Thanks for the tips! I think I’ll start with more RAM and see if that helps. I'll keep an eye on those temps too!
I agree! Upgrading to more RAM sounds like the best move for now, and you can always look to enhance the GPU later!