Hey everyone! I used to frequently upgrade my gaming setup, but since the pandemic hit, my gaming PC has been repurposed for work, and I didn't want to deal with it too much. The last time I built my PC was in early 2020. Now that I'm finally looking to jump back into it, I realize I'm priced out of building a new one from scratch. I'm hoping to add some longevity to my current build without breaking the bank. I'm okay with keeping it midrange, but it's starting to struggle with playing anything newer than a few years ago. Here are my specs:
- AMD Ryzen 3600X 3.8 GHz
- Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
- G-Skill (2x8) 16 GB DDR4 3200MHz
- 2 TB SSD
I'm thinking of retrofitting my build rather than starting fresh. My budget is around CAD 1000. What do you think I should prioritize to upgrade?
3 Answers
If you're looking to upgrade, I would start with the GPU first since that's likely the bottleneck for gaming. A better graphics card can make a big difference. Just make sure to check that your power supply can handle the new GPU! Also, double-check your RAM specs to ensure you're using DDR4, as that CPU won't work with DDR3.
I suggest you focus on upgrading the GPU first as that's where the biggest impact will be for gaming. Once you get that sorted, you might find your system performing much better overall!
Your CPU and RAM are actually pretty solid for midrange gaming. Consider doubling your RAM if it's within budget—it'll help with multitasking. Then, use the rest for a strong GPU upgrade. That combo will breathe new life into your machine!

I guessed on the RAM specs, you’re right! I'll look into that, thanks!