Upgrade RAM for better performance.
Upgrade RAM for better performance.
Gaming refers to a broad concept nowadays. CyberPower labeled a GT1030 on a B450M board with an R7-1700 and 8GB RAM as a gaming machine. Many users on a limited budget attempt to obtain parts designed specifically for gaming. It fails when playing demanding titles. For those seeking experiences beyond BeamNG.drive or Forza at basic levels (I favor AMD over Intel), here’s a suggested minimum configuration: Ryzen 3600 / 5600X, B550 board or better with 16GB RAM M.2 primary storage, 750W PSU, RTX2060 or better. For serious performance, consider: Ryzen 3800X / 5800X or better, B550 board or better with 32GB RAM M.2 primary storage, 850W PSU, RTX3060ti or better. This is my setup... At the time it came to about $2600. Tight builds can be achieved at a lower cost (I have some saved for others), but you’ll need to make trade-offs. Edited March 23, 2022 by An0maly_76 Revised, more info
Let me share a tale to help clarify my perspective. My earlier build featured a preassembled rig with an R7-1700 processor on an MSI B450M board, equipped with 8GB RAM and a GT1030 chipset. It came with a budget Chinese power supply. The setup was a chaotic mix of mismatched parts, marketed as a "gaming" machine, but it proved frustrating to upgrade—much like playing Jenga when you need stability. Back then, I didn’t realize what I’m discussing now. Eventually, I switched to an Asus OC edition GTX1650S with 4GB RAM. The R7-1700 was a processor released in 2017, just as the 1070 and 1080 were emerging. It sounded impressive—almost like it was singing the Ludacris hit "Move, B**CH..." while I tested it. Compared to the GT1030, it performed better, but the 1650S was built for four-core chips. Sure, the 1660S is superior, but a 2060 still offers a solid 30-40% boost over either. Still, are those cards worthless? Not at all. I actually found a reasonably priced 1080ti FE for $900—far cheaper than its recent price drop to $750. And with cards that are at least four years old, there’s always the risk drivers stop supporting them. Buying new isn’t always wise when older models still work.
I haven't noticed your graphics card mentioned before. If you don’t demand the highest quality, your 2600 should work well with extra RAM, depending on the GPU. Your setup isn’t outdated yet. However, the 2600 isn’t very future-proof, and ASRock shared similar concerns about their boards, just like MSI did about theirs—any BIOS updates might risk older models. I can definitely put together a list of suggestions for a new build if you share your budget. To be honest, I already have some ready-made lists for others who need them, especially if they’re planning a fresh build. Looking at the details, the 2600 is decent for its era but only about 18% faster than the 1700, which is now overpriced at $800 new. It still trails behind the 3800X and 3900X. Since I just installed a brand-new 5900X with an RTX3060ti for roughly $2600, your old 1700 might be worth $1000–$1200 even after adding a GTX1650S, 32GB RAM, and M.2 storage. You can find a new 2600 for around $190 on Amazon now, so maybe a bit less—$600 to $800? Updated March 24, 2022 by An0maly_76
After encountering THIS... (sorry, it seems my browser missed it before), I’m not sure I can confirm anything with certainty. I faced similar issues when upgrading RAM, GPU, or storage on the MSI B450M in my old system—this was the reason I opted for a new build this time. Here’s a list of A320M-compatible RAM kits I discovered (compatibility noted, others may work but aren’t verified). Based on what I learned about the A320M and its supported RAM options, it seems you might be better off investing in a fresh build. Your upgrade choices here appear quite restricted. Could you share your budget for this project? It’s not just about having special RAM; it’s about whether it can handle speeds beyond 2666 MHz, and 3200 is now the norm. But yes, swapping out the board will definitely open up more RAM possibilities, which could also pave the way for future CPU upgrades like a modern 5600X or 5800X+. Edited March 24, 2022 by An0maly_76 Updated, more details
The budget for the full upgrade could be around 300 to 400 dollars, though I might also consider upgrading the GPU. I’m not sure yet. Additionally, a new PSU would be necessary there. Just remember that the highest game settings aren’t crucial—perhaps selling them all would be better.
Consider this option... The Asus TUF B550M-Plus Micro-ATX AM4 board with VRM cooling for future Zen3 upgrade, paired with the DDR4-3200 kit I talked about for $255. I updated it by adding Corsair's XTM150 thermal paste, since you'll need a new paste for your CPU and cooler. https://pcpartpicker.com/user/An0maly197...iew=6XMC8d Edited March 24, 2022 by An0maly_76 More details
Not based in the USA means there will be some customs charges added to the cost. The GPU should still work fine.