I understand the old system but it looks like it's stuck in a bottleneck.
I understand the old system but it looks like it's stuck in a bottleneck.
It seems like you're checking if the system is experiencing a bottleneck. While Minecraft OptiFine reports around 350 FPS, your task manager shows low CPU usage and GPU utilization, but your RAM feels almost full. Given your specs—an older PC with an I7 2600, 2x4GB RAM, and other components—it's possible the RAM is the limiting factor. Running multiple monitors at 1080p also adds strain. It’s not uncommon for older systems to struggle under these conditions.
I’d consider adding more RAM if possible. From what I see, an RX 580 or GTX 1060 would work well, but I wouldn’t exceed the CPU limits with those choices.
It looks like the suggested price is quite reasonable considering your older CPU and the game's CPU-intensive nature.
74 might be a bit high. I've noticed some eBay ads for a single stick priced around 25 or 2 for about 40. If you manage to find any two mismatched ones, they should function fine. However, if that's all you can locate, I'd still think it's worth trying to enhance your current setup a bit more.