I currently have a Ryzen 5 3600 paired with a Radeon RX 5700 XT. I'm trying to decide which component would give me the bigger improvement if upgraded first. I mainly play CPU-heavy RPGs, but I'm also considering a graphics card upgrade. My budget is around $200–$300, and I'm in the US without access to a Micro Center. What would be the best-value CPU or GPU options, and does bottlenecking matter if I plan to upgrade both eventually?
4 Answers
If you’re targeting higher resolutions or demanding visual settings, the RX 5700 XT may be the part worth replacing first. Look for discounted or open-box current-generation Radeon cards, such as an RX 9070 or 9070 XT, though those may exceed the stated budget. Don’t choose based only on avoiding bottlenecks—the right upgrade depends on which component is limiting performance in your actual games.
Since you mainly play CPU-bound RPGs, I’d lean toward a CPU upgrade first. Staying on AM4 makes this relatively affordable: look at a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or 5800X3D if you can find one at a good price, with a Ryzen 7 5700X as a cheaper fallback. You may need a BIOS update, so check motherboard compatibility before buying.
Another budget-friendly option is the Ryzen 5 5500X3D, especially if you can find it at a good price. It should provide a noticeable improvement in CPU-limited games while letting you keep your current motherboard and memory. You can then save for a graphics card upgrade later.
The best choice depends on the games and resolution you play. A simple way to decide is to lower the graphics settings: if your Ryzen 5 3600 still delivers enough FPS, upgrade the GPU first. If the frame rate remains too low, the CPU is probably holding you back. A temporary bottleneck isn’t a major issue if you plan to replace both parts over time.
My budget is roughly $200–$300. I’m in the US, but unfortunately I don’t live near a Micro Center.