I'm really into competitive FPS games, but my current PC setup is dragging me down. I'm using an A320M-HD motherboard, a Ryzen 5 3500X processor, an ASRock RX 5500 XT with 4GB of VRAM, and 16GB of RAM. Playing games like CS2, I usually get around 150 FPS on low settings, but during intense moments, it dips to about 80 or 90 FPS. Fortnite gives me similar results, fluctuating between 120 and 70 FPS on the lowest settings. I also want to run games like BF6 and CoD better. I'm looking to spend between R$ 1,000 and R$ 1,300 (around $180–$240 USD) to upgrade my PC and get rid of these performance issues. Which components should I focus on upgrading first?
5 Answers
You could also consider switching to a B450 motherboard. The A320M-HD locks your Ryzen 5 3500X at fixed clocks. With a B450, you can overclock a bit and squeeze out some extra performance, possibly improve by 10-15 FPS if your cooler is up to the task. An RX 5600 XT would also provide a good boost. You can sell your old components to help fund this upgrade.
If you're focusing on maximizing performance for games like CS and Fortnite, I'd prioritize the CPU first, then the motherboard, and lastly the GPU. Getting a Ryzen 7 or a solid mid-range GPU like a 5800XT would be ideal, but it might be tough with prices in Brazil.
I suggest you look at upgrading your GPU first. If your budget allows, a used 6600 or 3060 could really help. Later on, consider swapping in a Ryzen 5 5600X CPU to boost your performance even more, but start with the GPU if you can.
Definitely prioritize the CPU next; it has a bigger impact on performance in the games you’re playing!
Prices are pretty wild in Brazil, and I doubt you'll find great deals like you might elsewhere. Make sure to keep that in mind as you plan your upgrades!
Honestly, your setup seems a bit outdated for competitive gaming. You might need to invest more than you think to really improve your performance.
That GPU upgrade could eat up most of your budget, though.