I have an older PC with a 2060 Super and a Ryzen 5 3600x. I recently tried playing Battlefield 6 but wasn't pleased with the performance. I've been considering getting an RX 9060XT but I'm worried I might need to upgrade my CPU too. My setup is on an AM4 motherboard and I'm working with a tight budget. What do you think I should do?
1. Buy the 9060XT and postpone the CPU upgrade.
2. Upgrade the CPU to something like the R7 5800x first and wait on the GPU.
3. Hold off and save until I can afford both upgrades, since I'm concerned about bottlenecking.
I'm looking to game at 1080p primarily, and I'd prefer high FPS without needing to set everything to low, especially for single-player games. I play a mix of multiplayer and AAA single-player titles like Marvel, Battlefield, and some upcoming games. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Honestly, I'd say go for the GPU upgrade first. It should give you a decent boost for 1080p gaming, especially in games like BF6 where the CPU isn't necessarily maxing out all the time. You might see some bottlenecking with the 3600x, but it shouldn't be too severe. Just keep an eye on performance and consider a CPU upgrade later when your budget allows it.
Yeah, test it out and see how your games run. You can always lower settings a bit if the CPU holds you back.
Remember, upgrading to powerful GPUs can sometimes bring performance bottlenecks if your CPU can’t keep up, but I'd say it’s worth trying the GPU first. You can always tweak settings down if needed while saving for a better CPU later.
And don't forget to update your BIOS if you do decide to upgrade your CPU later!
Absolutely! Just keep track of your performance metrics, like CPU and GPU usage.
While upgrading the CPU could help, it's not necessary right away. Your 3600x is still decent for 1080p gaming. If you're budget-conscious, grab the GPU first and see how that goes. You can monitor which component is being maxed out during your gameplay sessions to know when to upgrade next.
Yes, and you could consider a used CPU like the 5600x later on, which might save you some money!
Plus, if there are any sales, you can grab a good deal on a CPU later.
It's great to hear you want to play new titles too! Upgrade to the GPU for now, especially if you're gaming at 1080p. If you notice performance disparities later, then think about a CPU upgrade. The RX 9060XT should serve you well for a couple of years with your current setup.
I'd recommend getting the GPU now and see how it performs. From what I've read, BF6 can be pretty CPU intensive, but not all games will hit that limitation hard. If you notice your GPU is maxed out but your CPU isn't, then it’ll be time to upgrade the CPU after that. Plus, it could save you some cash for now!
Exactly! You can always upgrade the CPU later when you're ready.
And remember to keep an eye on the performance while gaming; that'll help you decide when the CPU needs upgrading.

I agree! Upgrading your GPU could give you a noticeable boost without needing to change your CPU right away.