I built my current gaming PC back in 2018 for around $800, and I'm starting to think it might be time for an upgrade. Right now, I have a Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, an RX 580 GPU, and a TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS motherboard. Back when I built it, this setup was considered budget, but I'm not sure if I should go for a complete rebuild now or just upgrade some parts. I'm looking to spend between $600 and $800. What kind of components could I buy for that price today? I'd love to know if my new parts would be good for future gaming as well since I play a lot of RPGs and single-player games like Expedition 33, FF7 Remake, and FF16. I used to enjoy MMOs, but I'm getting back into more demanding titles. Any advice would be really appreciated!
9 Answers
You can definitely make $800 work for a nice upgrade! But honestly, a new console like a PS5 might give you better value if you want to play the latest games without worrying about constant upgrades. It's tough to build a computer that will outperform it at that price point.
You could consider a combo of something like an AMD 5800 XT paired with a RTX 2070. That should be about $350-$400 and really help with your gaming needs! Plus, get 32GB of RAM and an SSD, and you'll be set for a while. Use PCPartPicker to help you keep track of components.
Right? It’s not like everyone has to drop 2k on a rig to run games these days. Focus on getting good, affordable parts!
With $600-$800, your best bet is a GPU upgrade, not a whole new system. I’d check your power supply first and then grab a nice GPU that will last you through the next few years without breaking the bank.
For real! If you think $800 on a GPU is average, you're dreaming! But I agree it would definitely boost your gaming experience.
If you're near a Micro Center, check their prices for the 5700X3D or 5600X3D. Either way, your current setup is decent for 1440p. Just replace that aging GPU with something like the 5070 or even the 9070 for better performance.
What kind of gaming experience are you aiming for? If 1080p is your target, consider just upgrading to a 4070 or 5070, and tackle the CPU later. Trust me, a GPU upgrade will make a massive difference since that RX 580 is quite dated now.
PCPartPicker can give you good examples of builds in that price range. An upgrade like a Ryzen 7 5700X3D and an RX 9060 XT would significantly enhance your gaming performance. You'll likely see a drastic improvement!
You could look into getting a Ryzen 7 5700X3D along with a decent graphics card like the 5060 Ti 16GB or the 9060 XT 16GB. That's a solid mid-tier setup and definitely a big jump from your current configuration. But keep in mind that with your budget, a complete rebuild might be tough unless you're okay with buying used parts.
Yeah, that combo should let you run games at 1440p with good frame rates. Perfect for keeping up with more demanding titles!
Adding 32GB of RAM at 3200MHz would be a great idea too! It'll really enhance your overall performance.
I suggest just upgrading your current system instead of doing a full overhaul. Maybe look for a 9070 if you can snag one for under $600, or the 5070 at around $550. Use the rest of your budget on a powerful GPU like the 5800 XT, or upgrade your RAM if you haven't hit 32GB yet.
Your motherboard can still handle upgrades, so putting that $800 into a new GPU could do wonders for you. I'd recommend going for a solid GPU that you can use in future builds too, like the 5070.
A 2070 is decent, but you really should look into the current mid-range options like a 9060 XT or 5070—the technology has come a long way!