I'm looking to play the new game "Clair Obscur Expedition 33," but my FPS keeps dropping despite having low graphics settings. Since I'm a student on a budget, I want to upgrade my components gradually, starting with the cheapest option. My friends suggested upgrading the RAM first, but I would love your advice on the order of changes based on my current setup. My budget for the RAM is around 80€ or less. Here are the specs of my current PC:
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 cores, 12 threads, 3400 MHz)
- Motherboard: B450 GAMING PLUS (MS-7B86)
- RAM: 2x 4GB (brand unknown)
- Storage: 256GB SSD + 2TB HDD
I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I want a PC that can run games reasonably well for the next 2-3 years. I'm located in France, so any local recommendations or deals would also be appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
If you're looking to stick to the budget, just stick with the 16GB RAM setup first—it's the cheapest option and will help your current performance a lot. Then, you can save up for a better GPU later, aiming for something that can comfortably run games for a few more years. Depending on what you find, maybe even a cheap SSD addition could be a good move if you see sales on those!
While RAM will help, I think you should also be cautious about future gaming needs. The GTX 1060 you have now will start to lag behind pretty quickly. I'd suggest exploring new or used **RTX** options or some AMD cards that support ray tracing to ensure you get decent performance for upcoming games. Just a heads up, your PC has a limited upgrade path, so two or three years is about what you can expect at this rate if you’re playing newer games.
Upgrading your RAM is a good move, but you might also want to consider getting a new GPU. A **used GTX 1070** could be a solid choice that meets the minimum recommended requirements for modern games. I’d also suggest getting a new 2x8GB kit of DDR4 RAM for better multitasking and performance. After upgrading the RAM and GPU, you might want to look into a larger 1TB SSD to use as a boot drive and do a fresh Windows install, which can significantly enhance load times. Lastly, updating the BIOS and possibly upgrading to a Ryzen 5600 could give you a nice performance boost down the line, depending on what deals you find.
Thanks for the tips! Should I really prioritize a new GPU first? I thought waiting would save me some cash, but maybe it's crucial for my gaming experience?
It really depends on your gaming needs. If you’re looking to play newer titles effectively for the next few years, getting a new GPU is important. The older GTX models might struggle. But if budget allows, upgrading both RAM and GPU would be ideal.
Great idea! I'll focus on the RAM upgrade first and keep an eye out for any SSD deals.