I'm looking to upgrade my PC without breaking the bank. Here's what I currently have:
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9400F @ 2.90GHz
- RAM: 16 GB
I feel like my build is just okay, and I want it to run newer games on higher settings. I'm a teenager, so my budget is pretty limited. Any advice on which components I should focus on upgrading?
5 Answers
Honestly, your best bet is to upgrade piece by piece. Start with the GPU, and then you can look at upgrading your CPU and motherboard later. This way, you can spread the costs out over time.
Your CPU is decent for most games unless you're diving into some of the latest titles that are more demanding. If funds allow, consider eventually upgrading to a newer Intel or Ryzen CPU and DDR5 RAM, but for now, focusing on a GPU upgrade will really improve your performance. Also, keep the monitor refresh rate in mind so you don’t get bottlenecked!
Looking for discounts? Just keep an eye on trading platforms for used graphics cards. Selling your GTX 1650 can also help fund the upgrade. You might get $75-85 for it, which is a good start towards a better card!
Definitely consider also upgrading your RAM and getting an M.2 NVMe SSD if you're really serious about improvement. Higher read/write speeds can give you a smoother experience, especially in loading times. Just make sure your system has good cooling to avoid performance throttling!
If you really want to boost your gaming experience, I'd recommend upgrading your GPU first. You can find a used RX 6600 XT or RTX 3060 for around $200. They’ll handle 1080p gaming flawlessly and make a huge difference!
I prefer Ryzen too! It's often better priced for the performance you get, especially in gaming scenarios. Just avoid the entry-level Intel chips if you want solid value.