What CPU, motherboard, and RAM upgrade would pair well with my GTX 1080?
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MellowCedar42
I've been using this PC for quite a while, and I'm its third owner. Modded Minecraft runs at only around 10–20 FPS when I play with friends, so I'd like to upgrade the system. I want to keep my GTX 1080 since it still performs well enough for me; the processor seems to be the main bottleneck. My current parts are an AMD A10-7860K, GTX 1080, 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and an MSI A88XM-E35 V2 motherboard. I'm not very experienced with PC upgrades, so I'd appreciate advice on compatible parts and where to look. My budget is roughly $250–$400 at most. I'm located in Poland, so some US-specific stores and deals may not be available.
Answers
You’ll need to replace the CPU, motherboard, and memory together because your current platform uses an outdated socket and DDR3. A Ryzen 5 5600 with a compatible B550 or B450 motherboard and 16GB of DDR4 memory would be a strong match for the GTX 1080. Try to get a 2x8GB kit rather than a single 16GB stick. If the prices work out, 32GB could also be worthwhile for heavily modded Minecraft.
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For the best value, a used Ryzen 5 3600, B450 motherboard, and 2x8GB DDR4 kit could cost around $170–$200 depending on local prices. It would be a major improvement over the A10-7860K and should remove much of the CPU bottleneck. If you want newer parts and can spend closer to $400, a Ryzen 5 5600 platform is the better choice. A newer AM5 system would offer more upgrade potential, but it usually costs more because it requires DDR5 memory and a newer motherboard.
MellowCedar42: I’ll look at both the used Ryzen 5 3600 option and a new Ryzen 5 5600 build. The newer platform sounds appealing, but I’ll need to see what fits my local prices.
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MellowCedar42: That sounds like a good direction. I’ll compare the prices for those parts in Poland since the bundle deals available in the US aren’t an option for me. Thanks for the help!