I'm planning to replace my GTX 1050 Ti and move to a 1440p monitor. I'm considering a GeForce RTX 5060 or RTX 4070, although the 4070's 12GB of VRAM makes it seem like the better long-term option. My current system has a Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB of RAM in two 8GB sticks running at 2400MHz with XMP disabled, and an Aerocool VX Plus 500W power supply. I'm also considering buying an 800W PSU, but I'm unsure which model and wattage would be appropriate. What would be the best upgrade path for this system?
3 Answers
Before spending heavily on the GPU, remember that the Ryzen 5 3600, slow memory, and 16GB capacity may hold the system back in some games. A stronger GPU will still improve performance over the 1050 Ti, but it may not reach its full potential until you upgrade the CPU and RAM. If you’re buying used, an RTX 4070 can make sense; for a new purchase, also compare current-generation cards such as the RTX 5070 or Radeon RX 9070, especially if you want more than 12GB of VRAM.
Enable XMP first if your memory supports it; that should let the RAM run at its rated speed. The Ryzen 5 3600 and 16GB of RAM can still work with a modern GPU, but the processor may limit frame rates in some games, especially at high refresh rates. Check your motherboard’s PCIe version as well, since some newer cards with fewer PCIe lanes can lose performance on older PCIe 3.0 systems.
I wouldn’t keep the Aerocool VX Plus for a much faster graphics card. Choose a reputable 750–850W unit with modern protections and, ideally, the appropriate newer GPU power connector. Models such as the Montech Century II, ASRock Steel Legend, or Chieftec Vega M could be worth considering depending on local pricing and availability. You don’t need to buy 800W specifically if a quality 750W model is cheaper.
The exact balance depends on the games and frame rate you’re targeting. At 1440p with high settings, the GPU usually matters more than at 1080p, but a Ryzen 5 3600 can still become the limit in CPU-heavy games.