I inherited this PC around seven or eight years ago, and it has started struggling with newer games. I mainly want to play World of Warcraft Classic-style games, along with future titles such as Dawn of War 4 and Total War 40k, at 1080p on a 60Hz monitor.
Current hardware:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- GPU: Radeon RX 580
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Motherboard: ASUS Prime A320M-K
- Storage: HDD containing Windows, plus an external SSD for games
- Monitor: Philips 241E, 24-inch, 1080p, 60Hz
- OS: Windows
I have roughly £600 available for upgrades, although I can spend more if replacing the system is genuinely the better option. I have been considering a Ryzen 5 5600 or 5700X3D, a newer graphics card such as an RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT 16GB, and an internal SSD.
Would upgrading the CPU and GPU be enough to keep this system useful, or is the A320 motherboard too old? Is 16GB of DDR4 still sufficient, and does the memory speed matter? Would moving Windows to an internal SSD make a noticeable difference compared with my current HDD and external SSD? I would also appreciate an explanation of whether the power supply might need replacing and how difficult these upgrades are for someone with very little PC-building experience.
3 Answers
You do not necessarily need to replace everything. The practical upgrade path is an internal 1TB NVMe SSD, a Ryzen 5 5600 after a BIOS update, and then a graphics card based on your power supply and target resolution. Keep the existing 16GB of RAM initially; 16GB is still adequate for WoW and many games, although 32GB is becoming more comfortable for newer releases and multitasking. Matching DDR4 modules and reasonable memory speed matter, but there is no need to replace the kit immediately if it is working properly.
Yes, an HDD generally means much longer loading times, though it usually does not reduce in-game frame rates once a game is running. Keep games on the SSD when possible. The PSU is the power supply unit, which converts wall power for the PC; its wattage, quality, age, and GPU power connectors all matter when installing a stronger graphics card.
The graphics card choice should depend on your actual target rather than just buying the newest model. At 1080p and 60Hz, a midrange current GPU should be plenty for WoW, but future strategy games may prefer more VRAM. The RX 9060 XT 16GB would offer more memory headroom than an 8GB card, but do not spend the whole budget on it before checking the PSU and CPU balance.
Replacing the motherboard is not automatically necessary. The A320 board can potentially support a Ryzen 5000 processor with a BIOS update, but it has limited expansion features and weak power delivery compared with newer boards. If a shop recommends a motherboard replacement, ask them to explain the specific compatibility or temperature problem rather than assuming the board is unusable.
The platform is old, but it is still salvageable. First, install an SSD internally and move Windows onto it; that will make the whole PC feel much faster. Your external SSD is usable for games, especially over USB 3, but an internal SSD is preferable for loading times and general responsiveness.
For the CPU, update the motherboard BIOS first, then a Ryzen 5 5600 is a sensible and relatively inexpensive upgrade. WoW tends to benefit strongly from CPU performance. I would be cautious about putting a high-end Ryzen chip on that entry-level A320 board because its power delivery and BIOS support may be limiting. A 5700X3D could work only if the exact BIOS support and board temperatures are confirmed.
The RX 580 is the other major bottleneck, so replace it when the budget allows. Before choosing a new GPU, check the power supply's wattage, age, connectors, and quality; a newer graphics card may require a better PSU.
When you say a 5000-series chip, you mean the CPU, right? I would be happy spending around £100–£150 on that, then up to about £400 on a GPU and extra money on an internal SSD. Does that combination make sense with my current motherboard?
Yes, I mean a Ryzen 5000 CPU. A Ryzen 5 5600 is the safer choice for that motherboard and should provide a clear improvement. Check the supported BIOS version before buying, and make sure the shop confirms the PSU and motherboard are suitable rather than replacing parts unnecessarily.
Would putting games on the hard drive make them run slower, and what exactly is the PSU?