I'm looking to upgrade my gaming PC for better performance. Right now, I have an AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT for my graphics, but everything else—my motherboard, CPU, and RAM—are from 2015. My motherboard is an ASUS model, and I have 32GB of DDR3 RAM along with an Intel i7-4790K (which has 8 cores running at about 4.0 GHz). I want to bring my PC up to date without being tied to any specific brands, focusing on longevity and good value for my money. I have a 1000W power supply, but I recently tried playing Space Marine 2, and it didn't load properly. What would you recommend for an upgrade?
3 Answers
It sounds like you're ready for a solid upgrade! Considering you want longevity and performance, upgrading to an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 along with a B550 motherboard would be a great choice. Going with 16GB of DDR4 RAM at 3200 MHz and adding a 1TB NVMe SSD can really enhance your gaming experience. That setup should run Space Marine 2 smoothly at 1080p without being overkill, especially with your current GPU.
Just a tip: keep an eye on prices for RAM and SSDs since they can fluctuate, so you might grab a deal soon!
Honestly, the Ryzen 9 9800X3D is great, but it might be overkill unless you're planning a GPU upgrade soon. Instead, you might find better value with the 7800X3D. Just make sure your cooler is sufficient, as that can make a huge difference in performance! Good budget coolers like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit are highly recommended.
Exactly! If you go big, make sure you're ready to handle any thermal performance issues. The right cooler is key.
And you're absolutely right about the 5700 XT being dated; investing in a more recent GPU will improve your gameplay experiences significantly.
You might want to look into AM5 platforms for a future-proof build, but yeah, RAM prices have shot up lately! I’d suggest shopping for used parts if possible to keep costs down. A used R5 3600 or 5600 could save you some cash while still giving you good performance.
That’s true! Used parts could be a smart move now, especially since new hardware prices can be so high right now.
Totally! Just make sure they’re from reputable sellers, though. You don’t want to end up with a dud.

I agree, that's a balanced setup! And don't forget, you might want to consider holding onto your current components that still have resale value to fund your new parts.