I've recently decided to improve my workstation and I'm looking for some advice on what parts to upgrade. Currently, I've got an Intel i5 4th Gen 4670 processor on a Z87-A motherboard and an RX 580 graphics card. I'm aiming to stay under $300 for each individual part, but I can stretch my budget a bit if it's necessary. While my setup is sufficient for video editing, it struggles with gaming—especially games like Helldivers 2 that require the lowest settings to run decently. I'm considering the 6600XT for the graphics card but would also appreciate any thoughts on the processor. Thanks for your help!
2 Answers
I recommend upgrading both your CPU and GPU, especially given your budget. The 6600XT is a solid choice for the GPU—keep an eye on the second-hand market, as you might find one for under $150. For the CPU, if you're considering an upgrade, be prepared to also update your motherboard and RAM. A good combo to look for would be an i7 from the 9th generation or an AMD 3000 series. Sometimes, you can find bundled deals on all three components!
Instead of having a budget for each part, think about setting an overall budget for your entire build. Spending $300 on RAM and $300 on a GPU might not align well. What's your total budget for the system you're building?
I don't have a fixed total budget yet. I set the $300 limit as a rough guide to show I'm not trying to spend on the high-end Nvidia cards. If it makes sense, I'm open to spending a bit more.
Just to clarify, getting $300 per part means you're looking at $300 for both CPU and GPU? If that's the case, starting fresh might be the way to go.