I built this PC in early August 2024, and it has worked great overall. Recently, though, I've started noticing occasional buffering and slowdowns that seem to happen when my memory usage gets close to full. I'm considering upgrading the RAM, but if I'm spending money on one component, I'd like to know whether another part would be a smarter long-term improvement without going over budget.
My current specifications are:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600
- Memory: TEAMGROUP Elite Plus DDR5, 16GB total (2x8GB)
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB
- Storage: LEVEN JPS800 1TB SSD
- Power supply: Apevia ATX-PR800W
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE A620M GAMING X
What would you upgrade first, and are there any reasonably priced parts I should prioritize?
3 Answers
Your CPU and graphics card are already a strong combination, so I wouldn’t replace either of them. Upgrade to 32GB of DDR5 RAM first, ideally with a matched 2x16GB kit. Since the buffering happens when memory usage reaches its limit, this should address the immediate problem without spending much.
I’d prioritize memory before the motherboard. A 32GB kit should stop the slowdowns caused by maxing out RAM, while the A620 board isn’t directly responsible for that issue. Consider the motherboard only if you need better connectivity, additional storage support, or more CPU upgrade flexibility later.
RAM is the clear first step. You could sell the existing 16GB kit and replace it with a 32GB kit. After that, the power supply would be worth considering: the current 800W unit has enough wattage, but its quality is questionable for a system with an RX 7800 XT. A reputable B-tier or better model would be a safer long-term choice. The motherboard is also fairly basic, but it doesn’t need to be replaced unless you need more features or expansion options.
That makes sense. The buffering is specifically happening when my RAM usage tops out, so I’ll start by replacing the 16GB kit with 32GB.