Consider your needs and usage patterns to decide between RAM and CPU upgrades.
Consider your needs and usage patterns to decide between RAM and CPU upgrades.
Hey! You're thinking about a PC upgrade and have a solid setup already. Let's look at your current configuration and what you need. Motherboard: A320M pro-vd/s, CPU: Ryzen 1300X, RAM: 8GB at 2133MHz, GPU: Radeon 5600XT with 6GB, PSU: 550W (model unknown), SSD present. This year you're considering two options: two 8GB RAM sticks or a Ryzen 3600 processor.
Given your issues—voice lag on Discord and inconsistent performance in games like Warzone and Fortnite—it sounds like your system is struggling with stability and responsiveness. The high CPU usage and the lag you're experiencing suggest you might need more power or better thermal management.
Between the two choices:
- **Two 8GB RAM sticks** will definitely help with multitasking, especially for Discord and other apps that demand steady performance.
- **Ryzen 3600** could be a solid upgrade if your current CPU is bottlenecking things, but it might not fully resolve the thermal or power concerns unless paired with a better PSU.
If you want to keep things simple and stable right now, going with two 8GB RAM sticks seems like the safer bet. If you're comfortable with a bit more complexity and want to boost performance further, the Ryzen 3600 could work—but make sure your power supply can handle it.
Let me know if you want help picking a PSU or checking your current power limits!
Usually you'd want more RAM because it boosts performance, especially for games. More RAM helps with CPU tasks and high-memory games. Whether you prioritize CPU or RAM depends on what you play, but having enough RAM is generally better. If you get the CPU first, it could become a limitation and reduce overall speed.
Reduce the speed of your existing CPU due to slow single-channel memory. With just 8GB RAM, heavy reliance on page files will occur. A 2x8GB setup (preferably 3600 MHz for Zen2) would significantly improve performance, though it may slightly affect stability. I'm uncertain if a 3600X is suitable for your A320 board. It's a low-end 3+2 VRM design using only 3x50A MOSFETs—really basic. Consider upgrading this as well. Remember, the B550 won't work with Zen or Zen+ chips, but the B570 does. You might opt for a more affordable B450 if you need a budget option.