I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 5500 CPU and an overclocked GeForce RTX 3050 8GB OC. While I can hit around 200 FPS in CS2 on medium settings, I still experience occasional FPS drops. I'm looking to improve my overall FPS for gaming, but I'm unsure whether to invest in a new GPU or CPU. I can barely afford an Asus Prime 5050 8GB OC, but I also have the option to buy a new processor. On the other hand, my experience with the 3050 has been pretty poor, especially in story-driven games like Uncharted 4, where I struggle to maintain even 60 FPS on the lowest settings. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
To tackle those FPS drops, I’d suggest upgrading your CPU first. A stronger processor will help stabilize your performance and reduce those dips you’re experiencing. Just a heads-up, though: if you’re considering a new GPU, it might not necessarily boost your average FPS much if your CPU is holding you back. And honestly, the RTX 3050 isn’t great for demanding titles. You might want to consider a better GPU down the line for a more significant upgrade.
Given your setup, the real bottleneck seems to be your GPU, especially for demanding games like Uncharted 4. Upgrading to a better card will likely give you the biggest boost in performance. I'd recommend looking into high-tier cards like an RTX 3060 or 4060 if you want to improve FPS in both esports and heavier titles without lag.
Thank you for the insights! Your suggestions were really helpful, and I appreciate you breaking down the options clearly.
Honestly, skip the Asus 5050. It’s just going to set you up for more disappointment. If you can spare a few extra bucks, check out the 9060 XT; it’s a solid upgrade for just a little more cost. Used cards like the RTX 3070 or RX 6700 XT are also fantastic options for around the same price, and they outperform the 5050 significantly.

True, but also check your cache. A CPU with just 16MB of L3 cache can contribute to performance issues. Upgrading to something like the Ryzen 5600 or 5700X could really help before you think about a GPU.