I was given an older prebuilt PC and I'm planning to upgrade it as a wedding gift for my best buddy, who means a lot to me. I want to make sure he can comfortably play most games at high settings, ideally aiming for at least 60fps, and maintain that level of performance for the next 5 years. He won't be playing a ton of AAA games, but definitely some esports, indie, and older titles.
The specs I have so far are:
**CPU:** Intel i7 11700F
**RAM:** 16GB (2 x 8GB, DDR4 3200)
**GPU:** NVIDIA RTX 3060 12GB
**Storage:** 1TB HDD and 512GB SSD (not SATA, installed on the motherboard)
**PSU:** Great Wall E500 80+ Gold
I've also bought a second-hand Zalman S3 midtower case because the current one isn't great for airflow. My budget for upgrades is between $500-$1000, ideally aiming lower. I'm about a 2-hour drive from MicroCenter, and I plan to pick up a 650W PSU (probably Corsair) and a budget-friendly 1440p monitor at 165Hz.
For GPU, I'm considering a 9070 or 5070, possibly a 9060 XT as well, but I've heard that might not cut it for 60fps over time.
What do you think? Is this a sound investment? Will it deliver decent performance for 3-5 years? Would it be better to upgrade the CPU/MOBO/RAM/PSU and stick to a 1080p monitor?
6 Answers
Definitely invest in a quality power supply!
I think you should definitely upgrade the RAM to 32GB with 2 sticks. The rest of your build looks solid. The GPU is key, so it just depends on your budget. You'll likely need to upgrade the power supply once you choose a new GPU, though!
I recommend the 9070XT, though it might struggle to keep above 60fps at the highest settings. Also, 32GB of RAM would be much better for 1440p gaming. Plus, upgrading to a 1TB NVMe SSD would give you plenty of space. Your entire setup with PSU and monitor should be around $500-$750, depending on local pricing.
I just checked the MicroCenter site and it looks like the cheapest 9070 (not XT) is $600. Is it just me, or are prices higher in my area?
Are you near a MicroCenter? They're fantastic for parts selection!
Oh yeah, I’m a 2-hour drive away from MicroCenter! I'm planning to go there for my upgrades because it's worth the trip just for the experience.
Solid plan overall! You're on the right track. Just keep an eye on your budget when picking out parts at MicroCenter.
Thanks! I really appreciate all your help with my previous questions too. You're awesome!
The i7 11700F is still a capable CPU in 2025. For lasting power in 1080p gaming, the 5070 is a good choice, but the 9070 will likely be better long term due to its 16GB of VRAM. Both should meet your needs well. Don't forget, adding another 16GB of RAM is definitely a must, and an SSD upgrade is crucial too—consider a 2-4TB SSD for maximum storage. If this all feels too complex, selling the prebuilt to increase your budget for a new system could also be worth considering.
Thanks for the insights! I’m glad to hear my CPU is still good. Selling the prebuilt is an interesting option; any idea how much it might fetch?
Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I figure upgrading the RAM could be a smart move. Got any suggestions for RAM or GPU brands?