Need to help grandson to update ageing system (motherboard, CPU, memory and graphics card).

[Mel_P]

A couple of years ago I replaced my PC "internals" and bought a Ryzen 5 3600 and an AMD RX6600 and an MSI Mag B550 Tomahawk motherboard. This released some older kit of mine which I set up in an existing case for my grandson.

The key items in "his" PC are:

- Asus Z170-P motherboard.
- Intel Core I5-6400, 2.7 MHz.
- 12GB DDR4 single channel memory.
- GPU - Radeon RX580 8GB DDR5 memory.
- OS (Windows 10 and / or Linux) on an SSD, with an HDD for extra storage
- 600W Corsair power supply.

He uses it for college work and playing games such as MS Flight Simulator and X-Plane 12. The above system is not really man enough for these games.

He would like to upgrade it but is "financially restricted". I thought we could upgrade it in stages:

1 - keep case and power supply.
2 - upgrade the motherboard, CPU and I suspect the motherboard memory (to 32GB?).
3 - use current Graphics card.
4 - reinstall OS on current SSD.
Run system for a while and test capability / acquire more funds.
5 - if GPU adeqate = all good.
6 - if GPU not adequate, update when funds available.
7 - upgrade case when all parts obtained and operational.

SO - QUESTIONS PLEASE:
1 - what is a "good value" upgrade for the motherboard, CPU and memory for use described above.
2 - what would be a good upgrade for the GPU for the above use.

Advice welcomed, thanks, Mel

 

[Mel_P]

Games need installed on a ssd really. OK

What resolution is he gaming at ? Resolution - what he is getting how with the Radeon RX580 (this is phase 2 of upgrade)

12gb of ddr4 what speed and what size is each stick ? 2400MHz, pc4 1900 - 3 x 4GB

PSU model ? CX600M modular CP-9020060-UK

New motherboard,CPU and memory is going to cost around £250 . MODEL EXAMPLES PLEASE?

 

[Mel_P]

By financially restricted, how restricted do you mean? It sounds like going used is likely to be the best option.

The minimum I'd want (for CPU) is something on the level of a 5600 or 12400, otherwise the next upgrade is going to be due too soon. For graphics, nothing less than a 6600, but ideally a 6700 XT or better.

Thanks - what about AMD CPU? or are intel better now?

 

[Mel_P]

Reading "Next Step Upgrade" above:

Next step upgrade

Hi, I've recently discovered MS Flight Sim and use it in conjunction with Quest 2 VR. I'd like to upgrade to the next step so that I see a difference in the graphics and running speed of the sim. My current spec is as follows and I'd be grateful if someone could recommend what the best approach...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

"Flight Sim likes the 3D cache, so I'd get the 5800X3D for CPU and a ......

Life is too complicated. Thanks for above I will look at prices / budgets over the next few days!