I'm looking to improve my gaming performance but I'm not exactly sure whether I should upgrade my CPU, RAM, or both. My current setup includes a Ryzen 7 3700X CPU, 16GB of RAM (4x4GB DDR4 @ 2666 MT/s), and a Radeon RX 6700 GPU. I've heard that my build is getting bottlenecked in some games due to CPU and RAM limitations. I want to keep the budget reasonable. What should I focus on upgrading?
4 Answers
For gaming, 16GB of RAM is still solid, especially for budget builds. If you’re looking for faster speeds, avoid upgrading now given how inflated prices are. I suggest focusing on your CPU; just be patient and keep an eye on local marketplaces for deals.
Try using the Windows Performance Monitor by hitting the Windows key + G to see where the bottlenecks are in your games. Each game can stress your system differently, so this will help you pinpoint what to upgrade first.
Your CPU is still fairly strong, but it might start to struggle in heavier games as your GPU gets pushed harder. It’s suggested to move to two 8GB sticks to achieve stable dual-channel memory, rather than using four mixed sticks. After upgrading the RAM, if you still see lag in demanding titles, then consider a CPU upgrade like the Ryzen 5 5600X or Ryzen 7 5700X.
What issues are you facing? Honestly, your system should be more than adequate. Could it be other factors at play?
I'm experiencing inconsistent frame rates in games like War Thunder, it never stabilizes no matter the settings.
I checked, and there don't seem to be any big bottlenecks; for example, GPU usage is sticking around 70%.