I'm planning to upgrade my gaming PC but want to do it gradually instead of buying everything all at once. My current specs are Intel i5-10400F CPU, Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti graphics, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and I have about 500GB SSD storage (unsure of the brand). I'd like to upgrade to an MSI Ventus RTX 3060 as it fits my budget. My goal is to play current games with decent performance and high graphics settings, but I'm not aiming for the ultimate setup. I have a budget of around $1000. I also want to know if I'll need to change my motherboard as I upgrade each part or if they can be slotted right away.
2 Answers
If your power supply and case are good enough, upgrading shouldn’t be too hard if you're comfortable assembling everything. However, you'll need to transition to a new motherboard since yours supports an older socket, which means you can’t just swap parts individually. I suggest investing in a good motherboard and a minimum of 16GB RAM or a new CPU first. This lets you keep using your existing graphics card and peripherals. After these upgrades, you can then think about the GPU.
For sure! Look for mid-range options that offer good performance without breaking the bank. You don’t need top-tier stuff when starting out.
I’d recommend getting another 8GB stick of RAM first. It's a relatively inexpensive upgrade that can give your system a boost right away. Then, save up to build a new PC later because the current setup is pretty dated and you’ll likely want to replace more than just one or two components. With new GPU models like the 4060 and 5060 coming, it might be worth waiting to see how the market shifts before you upgrade your graphics card.
Totally agree! Starting with the RAM is the best move. After that, think about building a completely new setup instead of piecemeal upgrades.
But keep in mind, if you're piecing parts together, you might face limitations with your motherboard. You might end up needing to upgrade that too.
Thanks for the tips! Could you suggest a specific motherboard and CPU that fit well without being overpriced?