Can I simply upgrade my GPU and still function properly?
Can I simply upgrade my GPU and still function properly?
Hey there, I built my PC back in 2017/2018 and haven’t made any changes since. My current specs are
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1500X 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor
MOBA: ASRock AB350M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage 2: SanDisk SSD PLUS 120 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
GPU: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB Video Card
PSU: EVGA 500 BQ 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply
My friends have moved to consoles, so I’m thinking about playing more demanding titles like RDR2 or Cyberpunk on PS5. Still, I enjoy games such as League of Legends, CS2, Rainbow Six Siege, etc., and I also wanted to try some MMOs. Right now, when I play League at medium settings, my frames drop to 60 or lower near the end (probably due to the recent update).
Should I consider getting a used 20/30 series GPU for better performance in these smaller games? Or will I need to upgrade my CPU too? I think if I upgrade the CPU, I’ll likely have to upgrade the MOBA and PSU as well.
To determine which component offers more flexibility, perform a basic test. Choose 2 to 4 of your games at medium or high settings, then check the frames per second you receive. You might also try lowering the resolution (for example from 1080p to 720p) to see if performance improves. This helps assess whether the GPU can handle less load. If FPS rises by more than about ten points, your CPU has room and a better GPU can boost performance. However, if FPS stays roughly the same, the GPU is limited by the CPU, indicating a weaker PSU or an older system around 7-8 years. Upgrading to a new GPU would be wise, preferably a high-quality one such as Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, or Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium. My three PCs are also powered by Seasonic; I own two PRIME TX-650 units and one Focus PX-550 unit, with full specifications and photos available in my profile.