What upgrades might be considered in the future?
What upgrades might be considered in the future?
I'm not experiencing any issues with my current PC, but I'm curious about which components might need upgrading in the future. I recently upgraded from a 1660S to a 4070 last Christmas. My system runs Windows 10, has an AMD Ryzen 5 3600X with 6 cores, 16GB of Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 RAM at 3000MHz, an RTX 4070 graphics card, and MSI G27CQ4 monitors at 144hz each. The PC was built in 2019 with one fan replaced, the graphics card upgraded, and the power supply increased from 550W to 850W. I'm hoping either the CPU or RAM will require an upgrade within the next 2-3 years, and I don't plan to replace the motherboard.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*
AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
($132.94 @ Amazon)
Memory:
*
Silicon Power XPOWER Gaming 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
($69.97 @ Silicon Power)
Total:
$202.91
Costs cover shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria
Created by
PCPartPicker
2025-09-28 10:51 EDT-0400
the value of dropping £100 for the additional 35 fps depends on more than just the frame rate—there are many other factors involved. Would it be better to opt for the 5600x if the price difference isn’t too large when you decide to buy? also, regarding the RAM, it’s clear it affects speed, but will the extra 16gb provide real benefits now or mainly for future games? For example, could 32gb become the norm soon?
90 quid for a CPU that boosts FPS by over 35 is reasonable when considering the cost of additional graphics cards needed for higher performance. Everyday tasks operate more efficiently with 32GB of RAM.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor
(£90.94 @ CCL Computers)
Memory:
- G.Skill Aegis 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
(£68.42 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £159.36
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
*Selected lowest-priced components based on criteria*
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-09-28 16:13 BST+0100
Wait until you can no longer enjoy the games you want with your current setup.
Then assess whether you require additional graphics power or more CPU strength.
By that time, you might feel pressured to switch to Windows 11.
If you're using SSDs instead of HDDs, a change is unlikely necessary.
Some modern titles seem to need more than 16GB of RAM.
You may need to handle multiple tasks at once.
If you require 32GB, try not just adding RAM—this might not be effective.
Ensure your RAM matches the specifications.
Consider purchasing a complete replacement kit with enough capacity.
Finally, you might feel the urge for something new.
There’s no permanent solution, but you can address the issue by adjusting.
Playing is personal, I’m fine with 30fps if it works, but my old card wouldn’t handle SM2 at all. It always seems like a better GPU would help, depending on when the CPU or RAM start to slow down. I’m okay without Windows 11 for a while now. My SSDs are likely to get bigger eventually, and they’re currently about 50% full. Many of my games use over 80% RAM, so I definitely think a 32GB (2x16GB) setup would be a good upgrade—the one linked is actually on sale. I’m not too prone to impulse purchases, thanks for the advice.
It depends on the game.
However, I would consider upgrading the CPU from a 3600X unless it’s specifically for a 3D chip.
RAM “usage” isn’t really usage—it’s more about allocation, which I wouldn’t pay much attention to. That’s why you prefer the memory pressure indicator.
I'm not sure where this blanket statement about 35fps originated. Perhaps it's intended to mean 35%? A good review provides a clearer picture:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2EbuYYvKM&t=374s
Demonstrates that performance can exceed 35fps, or even reach 35%.
The exact figure varies depending on the game.
Regarding memory, using a 5600 MHz processor pairs well with 3600 MHz RAM (if budget allows). This setup achieves optimal system latency.
I would opt for a 5000 series chip, particularly since you have a 4070. The latency of a 3600 can sometimes face challenges due to driver overhead that Nvidia addresses. I wouldn’t choose an R5 5600, considering how close its price is to the 5800x.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor
(£123.99 @ Box Limited)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory
(£95.50 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £219.49
Shipping, taxes, and available discounts are included
Generated by PCPartPicker
2025-09-29 17:32 BST+0100
PCPartPicker CPU Comparison
CPU Options:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7 GHz 6-Core
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz 8-Core
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 3.4 GHz 8-Core
Prices:
£114.00 | £123.99 | £116.75
Ratings:
700 ratings – 4.9 average
358 ratings – 4.8 average
183 ratings – 4.9 average
118 ratings – 4.9 average
Manufacturer: AMD
Part Numbers:
100-100000065BOX
100-100000063WOF
100-100000927BOX
100-100000926WOF
Series: AMD Ryzen 5, AMD Ryzen 7, AMD Ryzen 5, AMD Ryzen 7