I'm looking to upgrade my PC, built in 2019, and I have a budget of just under $400. Here's what I currently have:
- Motherboard: B450 Aorus Pro Wifi
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.60GHz
- GPU: AMD Radeon Sapphire Nitro+ 5700XT
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 2x1TB Intel NVME + 2x2TB portable SSD
I feel like my CPU could be the first to go, but I'd love advice on specifics. I noticed there's an Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF for around $250 and an AMD Ryzen 7 8700F going on sale soon, but I'm not sure if I'd need a new motherboard with a new CPU. I mainly play games like League of Legends, Rainbow 6, and BG3, but I've been crashing when playing Expedition 33. I'm aiming for better performance in heavier games like Cyberpunk 2077. What should I focus on upgrading?
5 Answers
Get the Ryzen 5 3600 if you can; it’s affordable on the used market and should offer good performance without needing a new motherboard. Pair it with a search for a better GPU in the future as your budget allows.
Honestly, the best combo would be to upgrade the CPU and GPU together. The Ryzen 5 5600X combined with something like the RX 6700 would give you a great boost for gaming; just check your PSU before diving into new parts.
Sadly, if you upgrade only the CPU or GPU, one might bottleneck the other. Currently, the RTX 3060 Ti might be the best bet if you're leaning towards GPUs. It’s a solid card and should pair well with a new CPU like the Ryzen 5 5700 if you can catch a deal.
With a $400 budget, upgrading your GPU could give you the biggest boost in performance for gaming. For a solid upgrade, check eBay for the 5600X3D or even a higher-end GPU like a 4070 if you can find a good deal. Also, consider your RAM; it sounds like you might want a faster speed than what you currently have.
If you're looking at CPUs, remember that you’ll need a compatible motherboard for any new chip that isn’t AM4. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a top pick and should offer a noticeable upgrade. Don’t forget to check for BIOS upgrades on your current board before switching things up!
Thanks for the tip on the BIOS! I totally spaced on that. I’d been thinking about sticking with AM4.
That's a good point. I didn't realize my RAM was holding me back. Is the GPU upgrade definitely the way to go?