I'm considering upgrading my PC because it seems to be underperforming. Here are my current specs: i3 10100F, 16GB dual-channel RAM at 2666MHz, a Gigabyte RX 570 with 4GB of VRAM, a 500W Corsair CV power supply, and a BenQ monitor with 75Hz at 1080p. The games I usually play include Balatro, Valorant, Borderlands 2, and Darkest Dungeon. I'm looking for advice on what component I should upgrade first to improve my experience. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
I recommend upgrading the GPU first. The RX 570 is decent, but you might benefit from a more powerful graphics card, especially for newer games. After that, consider upgrading the RAM, and finally the CPU if needed. An upgraded GPU will likely give you the most noticeable performance boost.
Honestly, none of those games are too demanding so if you’re happy with how they run, you might not need an upgrade right now. If you're experiencing slowdowns, it could be worth doing a clean install of Windows to clear up any issues. Upgrade when you really feel the need to since new generations tend to offer better price-to-performance ratios.
I actually do have some annoying FPS dips in Valorant. A friend of mine uses an i7 11700K and experiences similar issues, so I’m not sure what to think about that.
Those games are pretty light, so if you’re facing issues, a fresh Windows install might help. Over time, your system can get bogged down with apps and tweaks that can slow it down. It might be a good first step before spending money on upgrades.
What kind of GPU would pair well with my current CPU?