Need Advice on Upgrading My Old PC
Asked by
GamingGuru23
Hey everyone! I built my PC back in 2018 with some help from a friend, and now it's starting to show its age. Recently, while gaming, my GPU just shut off—the fans stopped spinning, and my system booted down, even though everything else still seemed fine. I reseated the card, and that fixed the issue for a bit, but it happened again. I can't tell if my GPU is failing or if the power supply is to blame, especially since both components are pretty old. I can't take it to a repair shop due to my busy work schedule.
I have a budget of around $1,000 for upgrades. Here are my current specs:
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: Biostar Radeon RX 560
- RAM: Kingston DDR4 (2x8GB)
- PSU: Gigabyte P650B
I'm considering upgrading to a 5700X3D, and I'm looking at either the 5060 or 5070 for my GPU. What do you think I can realistically accomplish with my $1,000 budget?
Answers
If it were me, I’d say it’s time for a fresh build. Here’s a link to a budget build similar to mine—should fit your budget since parts are generally cheaper in the US.
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I’d recommend looking into a whole new build unless you can pinpoint the issue causing your PC to shut down. You don’t want to spend money on new parts only to run into the same problem.
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I took a look at the VRM on your motherboard and honestly, it could use better cooling. Most games won't really bottleneck with your CPU, so keeping it for now could work. However, you definitely need a new GPU and PSU. Aim for an 850W gold PSU and consider GPUs like the 9060XT for 1080p or 9070XT for 1440p. If you're into Nvidia, the 5070Ti is a solid choice. Also, think about snagging some affordable 16GB RAM sticks at 3200 CL16. If you want to play it safe, look for a bundle deal with a new motherboard and CPU—could get you a solid upgrade without blowing your budget.
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GamingGuru23: I definitely want to figure out the exact issue first before jumping into any new upgrades. What do you think is the best way to diagnose it?