Lifetime Console Gamer
Lifetime Console Gamer
CPU model is 11th Gen Intel i5-11600KF
Graphics card is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Motherboard is MAG Z590 Tomahawk WIFI (MS-7D08)
RAM available is 16GB, unsure about more details
Storage solution is Samsung SSD 980 Pro 500 GB
Upgrade suggestions within a $1,500 budget
Desired focus is on playing FPS games at 120 frames per second
The resolution is about attempting to operate. The power supply details in your system, including its type, model, and wattage, are crucial. Additionally, the number of RAM sticks present in your system needs to be noted.
Your GPU is the single most important component when it comes to high performance with rasterized games. Moreover, an 11600KF is significantly newer (and thus more performant) when compared to the age and raw performance of the GTX 1050 Ti. 32GB of memory would also be a nice bonus, especially if you're on Windows 11, or like to have numerous programs running while gaming.
I also want to highlight an upgrade that frequently gets swept under the rug: a new monitor. Depending on what you're using, you may get a vastly improved experience (with more than just playing video games) by upgrading your display. I would shoot for a 1440p high-refresh rate gaming monitor, considering your budget. The
AOC Q27G3XMN
has always been a standout, not just for its fast refresh rate, response times, and Mini LED panel, but also for its outstanding value. If you want something fancier, the
Acer Predator X27
is a monster of a gaming display. Even if you have a fancy 1080p monitor, you should make this upgrade a priority.
In terms of GPUs, keep in mind you might have to dedicate some budget to a new PSU, depending on what you're currently running. That said, for your budget, your options are unfortunately quite limited in the current GPU space. Unless you need a new graphics card right now, I would seriously consider waiting for things to die down a little. Pricing for AMD and NVIDIA products alike, even at your budget, are way out of control, and if you can tide over for awhile, you may be able to snag something for much better value in the coming months. If you do want something right now, the only sensible option is to consider the used GPU market. If you aren't comfortable with that, then halt the GPU upgrade altogether.
With all that said, you can go ahead and upgrade your memory and power supply right now if you want to prepare for your upgrade down the road. Depending on the card you end up with, I wouldn't go any lower than a 850 watt unit. The
Cooler Master MWE V3
is a solid choice, as well as the
Corsair RMe 850
. Bear in mind if you want a GPU above the performance tier of something like the 4080 Super, then 850 watts will not be enough, and you will be looking for 1200 watt units.
For memory, you could presumably buy an exact kit of the memory you already have and (hope) it will work with your current set to double your capacity, but getting a new set of 2x16 might be better for you in the long run. This
Corsair Vengance LPX DDR4
is fast and has low latency for the price. I assume you deliberately left out any other storage you might have besides the SSD, but if for some reason you didn't, or you are running out of space, spend the 80 bucks on a 4TB hard drive for your games.
For your convenience, I also put together a
parts list
of your current system, containing all of your (listed) parts. With the memory, PSU, and monitor upgrades, it still leaves you with a sizable budget for your next video card.
There are several reliable platforms where you can explore used GPUs. It's wise to compare prices and check seller reviews before making a purchase.
When buying a used GPU, it's important to be cautious, but eBay seems reasonable. You might face some issues, but by paying attention to descriptions and reviews, you should be fine. They also offer a refund guarantee from eBay, which means if the product doesn't match the description, you can file a claim.
I personally think the current rig LGA 1200 is sufficient. I find DDR5 memory prices to be quite high. The main upgrades would be adding RAM, a GPU, and a PSU, then updating later. You can check the list here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/t48ZWc
The total cost comes to $1087.16. Parts are listed under various categories including CPU cooler, motherboard, memory, storage, video card, and power supply. Each item includes its price with applicable taxes and discounts. The selection was based on the best matching criteria. This summary was created by PCPartPicker on February 25, 2025 at 19:30 EST.