Hey PCMR, what’s a good upgrade path for my old PC from 2018? My budget is about $500 USD, here are the specs:
CPU: i3-8100
Mobo: B360
GPU: 1060 6GB
RAM: 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
Monitor: Asus 60 Hz 24", VZ249HE I think
PSU: Seasonic S12II 520w
Use case: gaming, streaming, minor video editing, work
I don’t mind getting secondhand, might actually prefer it depending on the part. Also kinda wish I won’t have to change mobos unless the performance difference is big enough for the same price (like 10+ FPS). I’m thinking I’ll just get an i7-8700 + 6700 XT + 650w brand new PSU and I’ll follow that up with a monitor upgrade a month or two after this upgrade. Though someone here might know a more optimal route?
Also, any monitor recommendations? Would it be better to go with a 1080p 24" 144 Hz or 27" 1440p 75 Hz? I don’t play a lot of FPS but I do go sim racing
Thanks guys
Wait and save some more money.
A new board and CPU will be hurt by 1060. A 30 series GPU will be hurt by i3.
You could look at B550 with 5700x and 32GB for a lot more speed in everything, gaming could be smoother with 5700x but necassarily high framerate.
1060 is still incredibly solid. You’ll be running more graphically intensive games on low but it won’t hold you back as much as that cpu. I upgraded from an 8500 to a 12600 and was blown away by the difference. OP, get a new mobo and cpu. Even the budget current gen cpus will outclass nearly anything 8th/9th gen, especially in terms of power for cost (cpu prices never seem to drop much) . The 1060 will hold up for most games.
That’s why I said B550, 5700x, and 32GB to run the 1060 at max capacity that the current 4 cores can’t do.