Hey everyone! I'm in a bit of a dilemma—my CPU and motherboard are from early 2020 and I haven't upgraded anything since. Now I'm considering getting a GPU for the first time but I'm not sure if I should upgrade my CPU and motherboard first. I'm not looking at top-tier GPUs, just something mid-range. I'm really worried about bottlenecking. Here's my current setup: I've got an Intel Pentium Gold G5400 CPU, an ASUS PRIME B365M-A motherboard, and 64 GB of DDR4 RAM. Right now, I only have integrated Intel UHD Graphics 610. I'm thinking about the AMD RX 6600, AMD RX 6700 XT, or GTX 1660 SUPER. What do you all think? Should I upgrade my CPU and motherboard first or just go ahead and buy a GPU? Appreciate any advice!
3 Answers
Honestly, upgrading both your CPU and motherboard is the way to go. The Pentium Gold isn't really a powerhouse, and you might find that trying to run a new GPU with it wouldn't work well due to bottlenecking. If you can find a used i7 for a good price, that could be a decent stopgap while you figure out your options. Just keep your overall budget in mind!
Definitely focus on upgrading your CPU first. The current one won't handle anything modern very well, even for basic tasks. A step up to an 8th or 9th gen i7 would make a huge difference and would pair well with mid-range GPUs like the 6700 XT. Just be aware that you may need a new motherboard for that upgrade.
Before you buy anything, think about what you primarily use your PC for. If gaming is your goal, you’ll want a setup that can handle it. A new CPU will make a significant difference in performance. I recommend looking into an AM4 build to make the most of your 64 GB of RAM.
Thanks for the insight! I'm definitely leaning towards more gaming, so I appreciate your advice.