I built my PC back in 2021 and now that I've got a bit of extra cash, I'm looking to make some upgrades. I haven't been keeping up with tech developments since I built it, so I could use some guidance. I currently use a budget 4K 60Hz monitor, but I'm considering replacing it with a 2K monitor that has a higher refresh rate, though I'm unsure if it's worth the investment. I mainly play games like Madden, 2K, RDR2, Rust, and Sons of the Forest. Should I prioritize getting more RAM, or is it better to upgrade my GPU over the CPU? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
If you’re looking at which component to upgrade, a new GPU could have the most noticeable effect on your performance overall, especially in graphically demanding games. However, upgrading your CPU would require a new motherboard, and if you decide to go with a more modern setup that supports DDR5 RAM, you’ll need to get new RAM too. It's a bit of a domino effect! The good news is that GPUs usually are compatible across systems, as long as your power supply can handle the load, so you can always keep it for future upgrades.
Upgrading to 32GB of RAM would be nice if you feel that you need more memory, as it can help significantly with performance in certain scenarios. But if your current RAM is already sufficient, adding more might not change much. For the games you've mentioned, it seems like Rust and Sons of the Forest are pretty CPU intensive, while RDR2 benefits more from a better GPU. So if you were to prioritize, I’d suggest focusing on a CPU upgrade first since it will have a broader impact on your gaming performance. Just keep in mind that upgrading the CPU will usually require a new motherboard, RAM, and possibly a cooler due to compatibility issues.
Do you think a newer 11xxx Intel CPU would be worth it? Or if I'm changing CPUs, should I just swap out the motherboard and RAM too? Is DDR5 the standard these days?
The downside with upgrading the GPU is that for the games you mentioned, it probably won’t make much difference except for RDR2.