I'm upgrading my RAM, and it's got me thinking about whether I should also upgrade my CPU or GPU. I'm not super knowledgeable about this, so I'd love some suggestions. Currently, I have a Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, XFX GTS XXX Radeon RX 580 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 3600 RAM, an MSI B450 Tomahawk motherboard, a Corsair RM650 Gold 80W PSU, and a Dell U273QE monitor (27in 4k at 60Hz). My main use cases are simulation games (with Cities Skylines being the most demanding), Microsoft Flight Simulator, school work (web-based, so it doesn't really matter), Fortnite, sports games, and Adobe Photoshop. My initial budget for the RAM was $60 to get to 32GB, but now I'm considering whether other upgrades could boost my gaming experience, particularly in simulation games. I could stretch my budget to $400, but ideally, I'd like to keep it around $250. Also, is it feasible to upgrade my CPU and RAM now and hold off on the GPU for a few months? Thanks for any help!
2 Answers
Honestly, a combination of upgrading your CPU and RAM first would be a smart move. Simulation games are quite CPU-heavy, and moving to something like a Ryzen 7 5700X, alongside 32GB of DDR4 RAM, will significantly boost your performance. You can always upgrade the GPU a bit later when your budget allows.
I think you'd benefit most from upgrading your GPU. The RX 580 is starting to show its age, especially for simulation games. A newer GPU will give you better performance in those demanding titles. Plus, you can often find some decent mid-range cards within your budget that can handle 4k gaming much better.
Do you have any GPU recommendations that fit in that price range?
Is it worth upgrading the motherboard to go for a 7700X with DDR5? I saw some deals that are tempting.