What should I upgrade first for better 1440p gaming performance?
Asked by
MellowPine47
I'm new to PC building and would appreciate some guidance. I bought this computer from a friend a couple of years ago, and it has generally worked well, but I want to play games at higher settings and frame rates. On my 1440p 165 Hz monitor, I often struggle to reach 165 FPS even on low or medium settings, and I'd like to get closer to that target on high settings where possible.
My current specifications are:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8 GB
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WIFI CF
- RAM: 2 x 8 GB DDR4, reported as 1064 MHz
- Power supply: 750 W
- Operating system: Windows 10
I mainly play Palworld, Expedition 33, and Baldur's Gate 3. My upgrade budget is around $1,500 AUD. What should I prioritize, and which upgrades make the most sense without creating major bottlenecks?
Answers
The games you listed stress different parts of the system. Baldur’s Gate 3 can become CPU-heavy, while Expedition 33 and Palworld are more demanding on the GPU. For a balanced upgrade, 32 GB of faster DDR4 plus a substantially stronger graphics card is the sensible route.
If you still see poor minimum FPS in CPU-heavy games afterward, an AM4 X3D processor such as a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or 5800X3D could be added later. Update the motherboard BIOS first and confirm the required processor support. I wouldn’t spend much of the budget on a new motherboard unless there is a specific feature you need.
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At 1440p and high settings, the RTX 2060 SUPER is likely to be the main limitation. A high-end upgrade such as an RX 9070-class card or RTX 5070-class card, depending on local pricing and availability, would make a much bigger difference to average FPS than changing to Windows 11. Features such as DLSS or FSR can also help, although they won’t guarantee 165 FPS in every game.
Before buying, check the exact power-supply model and the recommended power requirements for the graphics card. A 750 W unit is generally adequate, but quality and age matter too.
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The biggest priorities are the graphics card and memory. Your 3600XT is still usable, but 16 GB of very slow DDR4 can hold the system back. Check the actual memory speed in the BIOS or Windows, since 1064 MHz may represent DDR4-2133 after accounting for double data rate. A 32 GB kit running at DDR4-3200 CL16 or DDR4-3600 CL18 would be a worthwhile upgrade, and make sure the memory profile is enabled in the BIOS.
After that, put most of the remaining budget toward a stronger GPU. A modern 16 GB card or a good-value recent Nvidia or AMD card would be a much larger improvement at 1440p than replacing the motherboard.
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Don’t assume every game can maintain 165 FPS at 1440p on high settings, especially demanding titles like Palworld. A practical plan would be a 32 GB 3200–3600 MHz kit first, then the best GPU you can afford while keeping some money aside for a possible CPU upgrade. Your current B450 board can support newer AM4 processors with the right BIOS, so you may be able to extend the platform without replacing the whole PC.
Windows 10 versus Windows 11 usually isn’t the upgrade that will solve this performance problem. Focus on the hardware, game settings, drivers, and whether your monitor’s refresh-rate target is realistic for each title.
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MellowPine47: The power supply is a 750 W unit, so that should give me some flexibility. I’ll check the memory settings and speed first.