Hey everyone, I've got a PC that's about six years old, and it's started to struggle with newer games, even on medium to low settings. I'm looking to upgrade but honestly, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options out there! I compiled my current specs from PCPartPicker here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bJFZMC. Here's what I'm working with:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz 8-Core
- Motherboard: MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX ATX AM4
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200
- Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" SSD
- GPU: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 590 8 GB
I think the CPU or GPU might be the issue here. Can anyone suggest which one I should upgrade first for the best performance boost without breaking the bank? I want to keep upgrades under $200 per part to snag some good deals. Thanks a ton for any help!
3 Answers
For the best bang for your buck, you need to focus on the GPU first since modern games are quite GPU-intensive. That said, don’t overlook your CPU entirely. If you want major improvements while staying under budget, look into used RX 6000 series cards or NVIDIA 3000 series. Also, consider stepping down to a Ryzen 5 5000 series CPU to allow more funds for a GPU. But don’t forget to update your motherboard BIOS for compatibility with newer CPUs!
Honestly, you should consider upgrading both since your GPU is lagging behind your CPU. The RX 590 is pretty dated now. While some GPUs worth it will exceed your budget of $200, you could look into getting an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 as a solid CPU upgrade too. Both the CPU and GPU upgrades together could cost around $400, but they’ll make a big difference! Check this part list to see options: [here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/P3yFVF).
Don't forget that you can look for used parts! For $200, you might find a second-hand RTX 2080 that could really elevate your gaming experience. Yes, it won’t match the latest GPUs, but it will definitely perform much better than your current RX 590. Doing some homework on used parts can really pay off!
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely keep an eye out for those used GPUs.