Beginner in PC gaming—Need assistance optimizing your RX 560?
Beginner in PC gaming—Need assistance optimizing your RX 560?
I received a budget gaming setup (CyberPowerPC gau1400) as a Christmas present. Instead of the expected RX 580, I got a 2GB 560. This means the system costs $100 less than I expected. It’s a significant improvement over sharing a laptop with an APU. Now that it’s mine, I’m curious about ways to enhance its performance—starting with using Wattman and then considering hardware upgrades later. The only data I can share is that it runs War Thunder at 1080p, just below full settings, with around 30 FPS on the ground (occasional stutter) and 60-100 FPS in the air, averaging about 75. I’m satisfied with this setup so far, though I’d like to see more improvement. The Furmark score is roughly 10,000–12,000, with a best observed score of around 11,300. The highest benchmark I’ve seen was about 76°C, likely during longer sessions, though neither the CPU nor GPU has ever overheated. If you’re familiar with Wattman, would you suggest tweaking the system and by how much? And what should be my first hardware upgrade?
RX 560 priced above $180 plus an extra $100 won't secure the RX 580 ($450+, limited stock). I'd lose my patience if I spent that amount. The processor performs poorly in games, easily surpassed by the i5-2400 found in many prebuilt desktops—similar to the FX6300, roughly seven years old. I've never used Wattman to adjust my older RX 470, so I can't assist with that. Upgrading next will likely focus on the CPU and motherboard. A 4th generation i5/Xeon E3 v3 should work without new RAM, which could lower prices. If you have more than that, a Ryzen 5 is an option. GPU improvements are costly because of cryptocurrency mining—essentially burning more energy to harm the environment.
To clarify, I didn’t pay for a 580 and received a 560 instead. The lower-end model was chosen by chance during checkout because the boxes looked alike. The estimated cost was about $500, and I remember someone mentioning something like “one of them has a better graphics card.” Possibly it was meant to be a 570.
It's not the best moment to damage your GPU, and this card won't push the CPU much further even after adjustments. I recommend waiting a bit and getting familiar with your setup—study the specs, run different tests, note the outcomes. Look into whether second-hand high-end CPUs are available cheaply locally and think about overclocking one of them. A quality cooler is a worthwhile investment that stands the test of time. Another solid option is upgrading to an SSD. Also remind your parents you need their input and presence during this process; they’re just as problematic as a salesperson at a used car dealership.
I was there during it, though there was no salesperson trying to persuade, the person was actually nice and familiar with computers—one of the rare good Best Buy staff I’ve seen. I just didn’t double-check the box. Before you ask, yes I made my best to convince them to buy parts separately, but they had a Best Buy card, so it wasn’t possible. I believe I’ll start looking for a better CPU and a cooler too.
Avoid overspending more than fifty dollars when hunting for a compatible upgrade with the same socket. AM3 offers little long-term value—it's mainly a temporary fix if you can't afford a better motherboard or CPU soon. (And I'm sure I'd end up in a mess of broken consoles just saying this.) Make sure you don’t choose something more powerful than what your current board supports. Fingers crossed this isn’t what you meant. (And your parents might need to let you cancel the warranty and upgrade.) Wishing you luck, and hope it works out.