Build Advice Christmas upgrade for sons pc advice.

[CTtheWalrus]

My sons pc
600 watt Psu
Asrock b560m-c
I5 11400f
Rtx 2060

Still plays most stuff ok at 1080p but starting to struggle a bit with the newest games coming out. He plays a bit of everything: Tarkov, COD, Spider-Man, God of War, etc.

Not wanting to upgrade the motherboard or psu.

What would be a better single upgrade, cpu or gpu?

I don’t always keep up with newest hardware but I was thinking an i5-13600? Would that be a nice boost? $200 seems like a good budget for me but not strict. If I spend a bit more for a bigger jump then I could do that.

FYI if it matters he will be getting his first job this summer and wants to do some upgrading then.

 

[Why_Me]

My sons pc
600 watt Psu
Asrock b560m-c
I5 11400f
Rtx 2060

Still plays most stuff ok at 1080p but starting to struggle a bit with the newest games coming out. He plays a bit of everything: Tarkov, COD, Spider-Man, God of War, etc.

Not wanting to upgrade the motherboard or psu.

What would be a better single upgrade, cpu or gpu?

I don’t always keep up with newest hardware but I was thinking an i5-13600? Would that be a nice boost? $200 seems like a good budget for me but not strict. If I spend a bit more for a bigger jump then I could do that.

FYI if it matters he will be getting his first job this summer and wants to do some upgrading then.

That motherboard won't work with that cpu. You will need a 11 gen cpu if you want to keep that board.

 

[CTtheWalrus]

That motherboard won't work with that cpu. You will need a 11 gen cpu if you want to keep that board.

Well shoot your right, probably shoulda checked that. Would a 4060 require a new power supply or be bottlenecked my the cpu?

 

[Why_Me]

Well shoot your right, probably shoulda checked that. Would a 4060 require a new power supply or be bottlenecked my the cpu?

It depends on the make, model and age of said psu. A decent 550W psu will work fine for that card.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Are you near a Microcenter? They’ve got good combo deals with CPUs/boards/ram for decent pricing right now.

Also, this is totally overkill and my opinion, but consider kicking the 4060 to the curb. It’s an average card at best.

Check out this rx 6800xt for $350. It definitely needs a better psu

https://www.amazon.com/XFX-Speedste...qid=1732434298&sprefix=rx+6800,aps,169&sr=8-1

But that card will even handle 1440p easily if you decide to upgrade his monitor later. Side benefit…if you go to 1440p you won’t need as powerful of a cpu.

The secret is that typically at 1440p you want a more powerful gpu. I will say that if you go 1440p the clarity is just wow compared to 1080p imo.

I just bought this monitor yesterday and for the money it’s a steal.

https://www.microcenter.com/product...-27-2k-qhd-(2560-x-1440)-180hz-gaming-monitor

Anyway might give a couple of options.

 

[Bob.B]

My sons pc
600 watt Psu
Asrock b560m-c
I5 11400f
Rtx 2060

Still plays most stuff ok at 1080p but starting to struggle a bit with the newest games coming out. He plays a bit of everything: Tarkov, COD, Spider-Man, God of War, etc.

Not wanting to upgrade the motherboard or psu.

What would be a better single upgrade, cpu or gpu?

I don’t always keep up with newest hardware but I was thinking an i5-13600? Would that be a nice boost? $200 seems like a good budget for me but not strict. If I spend a bit more for a bigger jump then I could do that.

FYI if it matters he will be getting his first job this summer and wants to do some upgrading then.

Post a link to the ram that is in the pc.

 

[geofelt]

Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer tends to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run this test:

Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

If you need more cpu power, the most reasonable cpu upgrade for your motherboard would be the I7-11700K
The i9-11900k is similar but with more available threads that a gemer usually does not need.

If a gpu upgrade is indicated, make it a biggish jump or you may be disappointed if you do not see magical results.
Something in the rtx4060ti class.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
What is the make/model of your psu?
600w was commonly a size of older/lower quality units.
If you need to change the psu, buy only a quality unit in the 850w size and with at least a 7 year warranty.
An overly strong psu will only use the power demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.