What's the Best Upgrade Path for My PC?
Asked by
NerdyPenguin42
I'm looking for some advice on upgrading my PC, as I've been told that it's quite outdated. I've heard mixed recommendations about what parts I should upgrade first—some say the graphics card, while others suggest starting with the motherboard. Here are my current specs:
- CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700 CPU @ 3.40 GHz
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- RAM: 16GB 2133 Hz
- Motherboard: Q170M-C
- Storage: CT240BX500SSD1, WDC WD1001FAES-75W7A0
- Power Supply: 700W
I don't really have a strict budget, as I'm willing to invest in good quality parts—just not something outrageous like £2000. I plan to use this upgraded system for gaming and game development, mainly with software like Blender and UE5.
Answers
It sounds like you need to think your upgrades through a bit. If you're planning to upgrade your CPU, you’ll also need a new motherboard, which could mean changing your RAM too. If you want to prioritize a graphics card, you can definitely go for that first, but keep in mind that your current CPU might bottleneck it a bit.
Here's a configuration I suggested for a friend which might work for you:
- **GPU**: RTX 5070 Ti (decent price for performance)
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (or 7600X if you're looking to save a bit)
- **MOBO**: MSI B650 Tomahawk (or something higher if the budget allows)
- **RAM**: G.Skill Flare X 2x16GB 6000MHz CL30 DDR5
- **SSD**: Samsung 990 Pro / WD SN850x 1TB M.2 (2TB might be a good idea if you need the space)
- **Cooler**: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
- **PSU**: Montech G5 850W
- **Case**: Lian Li Lancool 207 or NZXT H5 Flow
If you already have a PSU and SSD, that'll save you some cash too! Prices vary depending on where you are, so keep that in mind.
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TechieBear99: Thanks for the detailed options! I'll look into those parts as it sounds like a solid setup.