I bought my PC from NZXT back in 2019, and rather than shelling out for a completely new setup, I want to try upgrading some parts to modernize it a bit. What upgrades do you suggest for components like RAM and GPU to bring it closer to today's standards? I'm especially looking forward to the release of EU5 and know my current setup can handle it, but I just want to ensure it's more future-proof for other games too.
While I don't need bleeding-edge hardware like the newest 50 series, I could use some guidance. I've been out of the PC scene for a while, so I'm a bit lost with all the benchmarks out there—should I just focus on FPS?
Here's a rundown of my current build:
- **Case**: NZXT H710i
- **Cooler**: NZXT Kraken X72
- **Motherboard**: MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PRO CARBON AC
- **GPU**: EVGA RTX 2080 SUPER XC GAMING
- **CPU**: Intel Core i9-9900K 8-Core 3.6 GHz
- **PSU**: Seasonic Focus Plus 750W Gold
- **RAM**: Team T-FORCE XCALIBUR RGB 4000MHz (2 x 8 GB)
- **SSD**: Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB
- **HDD**: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
- **OS**: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
2 Answers
Your PC is actually still pretty solid! If you're looking to upgrade for better performance, you might want to consider a new SSD or hard drive first. That could really help with loading times and overall responsiveness without breaking the bank. Just make sure you keep a budget in mind! Speaking of which, do you have a specific budget for the upgrades?
For a more significant boost, consider going for an Intel 12th generation CPU like the 12600K or 12700K, along with a B760 DDR4 motherboard. This way, you can reuse your current RAM and cooler. When it comes to GPUs, aim for something like the RTX 5070 for a nice balance of performance. Alternatively, if you want to future-proof your system, look into an AM5 setup with a 9600X CPU, a B650 motherboard, DDR5 RAM, and an RX 9070 GPU.
These names are a bit overwhelming! So I'd need to swap my motherboard if I want to upgrade in the future?
Yeah, I think I could put about $500 into it. I’ve been thinking I definitely need a new SSD/HDD.