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Thinking what to upgrade first...

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Hello everyone.
So I'd like to upgrade my PC a little bit as I'm on a tight budget, I have to choose what component to upgrade first.
I'm running a Ryzen 5 2600 and a GTX 1660 (non super, non Ti).
Now, I've got options like the Ryzen 5 5600/X or to get an RX 6600 (Non-XT).
What would bring me more fps in games like Apex Legends, CS2, Fortnite, GTAV? I'm playing on 1080p and I honestly just want higher fps for lower input lag. I don't care about visuals as almost all games I play are competitive esports nature. I'd like to get a component that would give me better numbers basically :D

I know that the best decision would be to smash this computer with a mace and throw it in the garbage but I can't do that just yet, as I've got many other expenses to cover...
Thanks everyone in advance!

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Gigabyte-A320M-H
G.Skill AEGIS 2x8GB 3000MHz
Ryzen 5 2600
ASUS TUF GTX 1660 GAMING OC
Thermaltake Smart BW1 550W
Sandisk SSD PLUS 250GB SATA
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If you're after competitive fps in 1080p with no regard to visual quality, you'll benefit more from a CPU upgrade.

The best AM4 CPU for gaming is the 5800X3D, but I'd only get it if you intend to keep your current rig for longer. The 5800X3D also needs adequate cooling and proper case airflow. Seeing how your other components are on the budget side, it may not be the most sensible investment.

I'd either go for the cheapest option -- the 5600(X) -- if you need higher frame rates right now, or start saving for a complete system upgrade.
 

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As point of note. Even a 5700X3D will give you very close to the performance of the 5800X3D and be much cheaper doing it. The 3D-V-Cache is a great equalizer.

So if the 5800X3D isnt available or too expensive. There is no shame going for a 5700X3D and some people might even recommend the 5700X3D over the more expensive part if youre primary use is just gaming.

The 5700X3D should buy you another 2 years and possibly even 3 (or 4 years fingers crossed) with your machine if youre lucky.

Pick up a 3060 or 3070 to replace the 1660 and you have a pretty solid gaming machine.

If you do upgrade to a more powerful GPu, then it would also be wise to get a new 650-750W PSU as well. Dont worry about buying a more expensive unit as this can be carried over to your next machine when you finally retire the old one. For a lot of us, a power supply will get carried over to 2 or 3 machines before it gets retired. So thats 5-10 years with the same PSU. You could go longer if you wanted. A lot of good PSUs have 8-10 years warranty these days.
 
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So you are also saying that I should upgrade my CPU first right?
Yes, but upgrade your BIOS first. The 5700X3D is a viable upgrade first and then upgrade the video card next when you have the funds to do so. A 3060 or 4060 non-Ti (Or an AMD 6600 or 7600) card would work fine for you if that's all you are playing at 1080p.
 

Ruru

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So you are also saying that I should upgrade my CPU first right?
I'd say that as well. Just update the motherboard bios and you should be good to go.

Get a 6700/6750 XT later. Should run everything with max settings at 1080p.
 

izy

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If youre primary use is gaming and you are on a budget you should get the 5700x3D but if you are using it more for work you can grab a 5700x / 5800x , if you want to spend a bit more and be in the middle (but more for gaming) you can go for 5800x3D. I would upgrade my CPU first if i was you, as for GPU i would go for an RTX 3060+ , sweet spot i would say an 3070, higher is better ofc but an 3060 12GB would do the job just fine.
 
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Thanks guys. I updated my bios to the latest version a few days ago, so that should be covered. Thank you all for the advice, will definitely be buying a 5000 series. I think going for a X3D processor will be a bit more difficult as I was searching for them and there's just very few available, and have a higher price.
 

Ruru

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If youre primary use is gaming and you are on a budget you should get the 5700x3D but if you are using it more for work you can grab a 5700x / 5800x , if you want to spend a bit more and be in the middle (but more for gaming) you can go for 5800x3D. I would upgrade my CPU first if i was you, as for GPU i would go for an RTX 3060+ , sweet spot i would say an 3070, higher is better ofc but an 3060 12GB would do the job just fine.
6700 XT trades blows with 3070 and has 50% more VRAM. 6750 XT is even faster since it has faster VRAM (and you can't OC a 6700 XT to those speeds since they have artificially limited overclocking).
 
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whatever you upgrade to make sure to get a good psu! it is the pumping heart of your pc :)
 
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Yeah, if you're playing at 1080p low-med then 6GB on 1660 is not a problem. r5 2600 isn't even close to 5600 in competitive games though. 1.5x-2x faster when the gpu allows. I agree cpu upgrade should be the priority in your case. 6c/12t with fast ram is all you need. 3000 ram isn't slow, but 3600+ would improve avg and min fps quite a bit, something to consider when you upgrade both cpu and gpu and got money to burn.
ninja edit: your board only supports 3200 ddr4 tops, so 3600+ is not an option.
 
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Ruru

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whatever you upgrade to make sure to get a good psu! it is the pumping heart of your pc :).
Hella good point there. Though OP may had a typo since google gave only results of Thermaltake BX1. Found a review of its 650W big brother: https://www.nikktech.com/main/artic...1-rgb-650w-power-supply-unit-review?showall=1

Yeah, if you're playing at 1080p low-med then 6GB on 1660 is not a problem. r5 2600 isn't even close to 5600 in competitive games though. 1.5x-2x faster when the gpu allows. I agree cpu upgrade should be the priority in your case.
I had a 2600 & 980 Ti (which is similar in performance), and upgrading to even a R5 3600 gave noticeable boost.
 
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Going for a X3D processor is actually pretty much not possible for me as a 5600X costs 105 euros and a 5700X3D costs around 230 euros...

Hella good point there. Though OP may had a typo since google gave only results of Thermaltake BX1. Found a review of its 650W big brother: https://www.nikktech.com/main/artic...1-rgb-650w-power-supply-unit-review?showall=1


I had a 2600 & 980 Ti (which is similar in performance), and upgrading to even a R5 3600 gave noticeable boost.
Yeah, its a BX1, it was a typo. This power supply has been going strong for 3 years now, honestly I wouldn't wanna replace it. In less than two years I plan on building a complete setup but until then I need some performance, for gaming AND programming.
 

Ruru

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Yeah, its a BX1, it was a typo. This power supply has been going strong for 3 years now, honestly I wouldn't wanna replace it. In less than two years I plan on building a complete setup but until then I need some performance, for gaming AND programming.
At least it's mediocre quality so I wouldn't be that unsure with it, most likely it will just give up rather than take anything with it if it goes bad.

Even though a high-quality one will easily last over a decade and you can be safe with it.
 
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Going for a X3D processor is actually pretty much not possible for me as a 5600X costs 105 euros and a 5700X3D costs around 230 euros...
If it's with your budget, that is fine and is still a good upgrade. You may want to try Facebook Marketplace if you have an account and see if there are any used video cards local to you to check out. You could also do this with the processor and save some money as well.

Also, see if some of the smaller PC shops have anything used that is in your budget, and see if they will buy your old parts or take them as a trade.
 

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Yeah, its a BX1, it was a typo. This power supply has been going strong for 3 years now, honestly I wouldn't wanna replace it. In less than two years I plan on building a complete setup but until then I need some performance, for gaming AND programming.

I wouldnt trust it. Here its £55 for a 650W. When they are that cheap, I would not trust them for a high end machine.

Like I said. if you put down some good money for a power supply. You will get your moneys worth out of it. You wont need to buy another for 6-10 years+ if you play your cards right.

Id rather take the hit on the chin then have to replace more expensive parts if the BX1 goes boom further on down the line. Dont get another BX or Corsair CS or VS. Ignore all those and get a QUALITY unit
 

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Hello everyone.
So I'd like to upgrade my PC a little bit as I'm on a tight budget, I have to choose what component to upgrade first.
I'm running a Ryzen 5 2600 and a GTX 1660 (non super, non Ti).
Now, I've got options like the Ryzen 5 5600/X or to get an RX 6600 (Non-XT).
What would bring me more fps in games like Apex Legends, CS2, Fortnite, GTAV? I'm playing on 1080p and I honestly just want higher fps for lower input lag. I don't care about visuals as almost all games I play are competitive esports nature. I'd like to get a component that would give me better numbers basically :D

I know that the best decision would be to smash this computer with a mace and throw it in the garbage but I can't do that just yet, as I've got many other expenses to cover...
Thanks everyone in advance!

PC specs:
Gigabyte-A320M-H
G.Skill AEGIS 2x8GB 3000MHz
Ryzen 5 2600
ASUS TUF GTX 1660 GAMING OC
Thermaltake Smart BW1 550W
Sandisk SSD PLUS 250GB SATA
Samsung 860 EVO 250GB SATA
What Revision is your motherboard?

Going for a X3D processor is actually pretty much not possible for me as a 5600X costs 105 euros and a 5700X3D costs around 230 euros...
Find a 5800 OEM
 
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Going for a X3D processor is actually pretty much not possible for me as a 5600X costs 105 euros and a 5700X3D costs around 230 euros...
5600x3d available where you live ? it's a kickass little cpu.....
 

eidairaman1

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I have to check the box when I'm home but I believe it was 1.0, i have to double check
It should be on the white Silkscreen of the motherboard or on a sticker under a pcie slot...
 
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It's just incredible how you can just slot a 5800x3d into a 7 year old 70eur board and have top tier performance and efficiency in 2024.
 

eidairaman1

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It's just incredible how you can just slot a 5800x3d into a 7 year old 70eur board and have top tier performance and efficiency in 2024.
Really depends on the vrm circuits and to keep them cool
 
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Really depends on the vrm circuits and to keep them cool
I think 5700x3d would do just fine on a low tier board if you have any air circulating in the vrm area. If not, I think a top-down cooler like BeQuiet TF would provide enough.
 

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I think 5700x3d would do just fine on a low tier board if you have any air circulating in the vrm area. If not, I think a top-down cooler like BeQuiet TF would provide enough.
Maybe, 5800 OEM I'd say is probably the bang for buck upgrade as that is where the 5700X came from, just Rebadged 5800 OEM CPUs
 
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