I have a gaming PC that started as a prebuilt about six years ago. The original motherboard and CPU are still installed, while the other components have been replaced over time. The system currently works well, and I mostly play games that are less demanding than modern AAA titles. I usually prefer lowering graphics settings to maintain 60+ FPS rather than maximizing visual quality.
I have around $1,000 to spend, with some flexibility, and would like recommendations for upgrades I can make eventually rather than replacing parts immediately. I'm especially interested in one large SSD so I can keep most of my files and games together instead of constantly moving things between drives. I'd also like to replace my second monitor, which is over ten years old. If a new monitor is better than my current primary display, I'd use the new one as my main screen.
My current hardware is:
- Motherboard: B560M-C
- CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 (2x8GB)
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060
- PSU: Corsair RM750e (2023)
- Primary monitor: HP 24mh, 1920x1080 at 60Hz
- Secondary monitor: Acer S200HQL, 1600x900 at 60Hz
- Storage: Two 1TB WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSDs
I'd also appreciate advice for finding and removing leftover files from uninstalled programs and other unnecessary storage clutter.
4 Answers
If the system is performing well, I wouldn’t upgrade the CPU, motherboard, or graphics card just because they’re a few years old. The i5-10400F and RTX 3060 are still a reasonable combination for 1080p gaming at 60 FPS, especially if you’re comfortable lowering settings. A performance upgrade makes more sense once you decide to target a higher refresh rate, move to 1440p, or start playing more demanding games.
The simplest worthwhile upgrades would be a better monitor, more storage if you need it, and possibly 32GB of RAM if your current 16GB is regularly close to full. Your existing power supply is already more than sufficient for this kind of system.
NVMe drives are the small stick-shaped SSDs that mount directly onto the motherboard. They use an M.2 slot, usually secured with one tiny screw. Your board may support two, but check the manual to confirm the slot count and whether installing one disables any SATA ports.
For gaming, NVMe is faster on paper, but you probably won’t notice much difference compared with your existing SATA SSDs during normal loading. The main advantages are the compact size and fewer cables, not a major FPS increase. A reputable 2TB or 4TB SSD that fits your budget is fine; prioritize capacity and reliability over the highest advertised speeds.
Got it—so the convenience is mostly the smaller size and lack of SATA cables rather than a dramatic gaming improvement. I’ll check the motherboard manual before buying one so I know which slots and ports can be used together.
For a monitor, I’d look for a 24-inch or 27-inch IPS display with 1080p resolution and a 120Hz, 144Hz, or 165Hz refresh rate. That would be a noticeable improvement over 60Hz without requiring a stronger GPU. Look for adaptive sync support and a sensible stand; there’s no need to spend heavily on features you won’t use.
A 1440p monitor is also an option, but the RTX 3060 may require reduced settings or upscaling in newer games. If you want to stay near your current performance targets, a high-refresh 1080p display is the safer choice. You could then move the new monitor to the primary position and keep the HP as the secondary screen.
Before buying a new CPU platform, check whether you’re actually running out of memory. Task Manager can show your RAM usage while gaming. If it frequently reaches 90–100%, moving to 32GB of matching DDR4 is a reasonable upgrade. Otherwise, keep the current memory and put the money toward the monitor or storage.
For cleaning storage, WizTree or WinDirStat can show which folders are consuming space. Remove temporary files with Windows Storage settings or Disk Cleanup, review large downloads and old installers manually, and uninstall programs through Windows rather than deleting their folders. Avoid registry cleaners and don’t delete unfamiliar files from system directories just because they look old.
That makes sense. I mainly wanted a parts list ready for when something actually fails, so I don’t have to research everything from scratch later. The monitor replacement is the most immediate goal because the old one needs a bulky power adapter and an older video connection that requires an adapter with my RTX 3060.