Hey everyone! I have a really old PC I bought around 2017 mainly for playing older games, and it's been decent so far. However, I'm looking to jump into some newer games, but I'm not thrilled with the frame rates I'm currently getting. I've added an extra stick of RAM and upgraded to an SSD, but I'm wondering if I should continue upgrading this rig or just scrap it. Here are my current specs:
- Motherboard: MSI B250M Bazooka (MS-7A70)
- CPU: Intel i5-7400 @ 3.00Ghz
- GPU: Radeon RX 580 (4GB VRAM)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
I really want to play the Oblivion Remaster and upgrade to Windows 11, but I know the CPU and GPU are likely holding me back. Any recommendations on how to approach upgrades or if I should just consider building a new system? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
You can definitely keep your SSD for any future upgrades. While keeping the 16GB DDR4 RAM is possible, adding more might help, but sticking to DDR4 limits your future upgrade options. The AM5 platform is great, but it all really comes down to your budget. Think about what you want to spend and plan your upgrades accordingly!
Sadly, it sounds like your current setup has zero upgradability potential. You might want to consider repurposing it as a personal server or NAS, then focus on building a new PC that allows for more flexibility and upgrades in the future. If you go this route, aim for newer standards to avoid hitting walls like you are now!
Unfortunately, your upgrade path is pretty limited. If you want to keep upgrading, you'll likely need to replace the CPU, motherboard, and RAM all at once. I'd suggest looking at something like a Ryzen 5 7600X or similar paired with an AM5 motherboard and DDR5 RAM. Since you're already using an SSD, consider adding a new NVME drive for faster boot and load times. For GPU upgrades, keep an eye on cards like the RX 7900 or RTX 5070 to significantly boost your gaming experience. You might want to stick with your case if you like it, but upgrading the aesthetics is always an option!
Haha, I feared this is what somebody would say. Thank you for your honesty and for your tips. I'll do some research on the things you mentioned.
Thanks for your response. Just out of curiosity, what makes it not upgradeable? Just too old? And how can I build my next PC for better future expansion?