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Looking for upgrade suggestions for modest gaming rig...

  • 30-09-2022 06:23PM
    #1
    Sue Donimous
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭


    Operating System

    Microsoft Windows 10 (10.0) Professional 64-bit (Build 19044)

    CPU

    AMD Ryzen 3 1200

    RAM

    2 x 8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1190MHz

    Motherboard

    MSI X370 GAMING PLUS (MS-7A33)

    Display

    DELL ST2420L (1920x1080@60Hz)

    Graphics

    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 (4 GB)

    Storage

    Crucial P1 1TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD

    Audio

    Realtek High Definition Audio

    My old tower is lying idle, so I like to pass it on to my kids as a gaming rig/general PC. Doesn't have to be the biggest beast in the jungle, just robust enough so they can play fairly recent AAA titles at a reasonable framerate.

    Any upgrade suggestions and/or what's the biggest improvement I can make with an immediate budget of €500?



Comments

  • #2
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 26,945 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    That motherboard is compatible with Ryzen Zen3 based CPUs, so it can go up to some very high end CPUs, such as the 5950X and 16 cores. But that's overkill and not economical. A Rzyen 5600 with 6 cores however, is about €220. Update the BIOS before hand though.

    The GPU is weak and dated, but it could manage some basic stuff still. GPU prices are still at silly levels, but a Radeon 6600 could be gotten for €320 ish.

    16GB of RAM is okay, but the listed speed seems off.



  • #3
    Aodhan5000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 616 ✭✭✭Aodhan5000


    PCPartPicker Part List: https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/nGqW3y

    CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz 6-Core Processor (€157.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Video Card: XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card (€289.00 @ Amazon Deutschland)

    Total: €446.99

    Shipping would probably be around 20 EUR.

    Double check your ram speeds. They sound wrong but if they are correct you'll need new ram as well.



  • #4
    Homelander
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,128 ✭✭✭Homelander


    RAM speed isn't off, it's just 2400mhz DDR4. I wouldn't bother upgrading that.

    Ryzen 5600 is an obvious choice, just make sure you update your motherboard bios before installing it.



  • #5
    Spear
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 26,945 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119688903#Comment_119688903

    Yeah, it occurred to me afterwards it was probably meant to be 2400MHz stuff rather than a misreading. And I agree, the small performance boost from replacing it isn't worth it in this context.



  • #6
    Sue Donimous
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭Sue Donimous


    Thanks all for the advice, much appreciated!



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