What should i upgrade first?

[Mallers]

Hi, my current setup is as per my signature. Im looking at upgrading the lot, memory, mobo, cpu, gpu (and going by some reports, and assuming my next gpu will be a 4 series nvidia, i guess i will be updating the psu as well. Not sure what psu i have at moment, current one installed too long ago to remember and without taking the desktop apart to check, not sure how i find out).
Anyway, i dont have a set budget yet, im happy with current prices that i see, and am likely to be doing this in bits rather than all at once. Im keeping my hard drives, case, paraphernalia and operating system. So, imj ust upgrading hardware.
Assuming i cant go for all at once, any advice on what should be done first? im assuming probably cpu and mobo first, theres no point in a great gpu feeding an old cpu/mobo? Also, im thinking the graphics card, based on prices today at least, will be the single greatest expense, especially if im also having to add a new psu, so hat may end up done last.

 

[Mallers]

What's your budget? I'd definitely go with the heart of the build first so Mobo, CPU and RAM. You'll need RAM too, as we're in the world of DDR4 being mainstream now, with DDR5 just being recently released too but the prices are crazy and performance boost very minor compared to DDR4.

Do you have an SSD in your existing rig? If not I'd pick up an NVME too. It's illegal to even think about building a new rig in 2022 on the 'ole metal disk drives

I'd be going at least for an Intel 12600k, 32GB RAM and Z690 (or B660) mobo to start with! (and the NVME SSD if needed) Also assuming this rig is for gaming only, nothing more CPU intensive?

im looking at around 3 or3.5k, but thats in stages, with i guess about 2k on the graphics card alone. I dont have an ssd; although i believe it would make loading games of Warhammer II a lot quicker than the glacial pace i currently have, i was once told ssd dont do well with lots of saves to them, like you get with games, and was better just for data. No idea if that was true, and if it was, if it still is true, but i never made the leap.
Gaming will be the most intensive, otherwise mainly internet surfing, some photo processing and storage, possibly some dvd ripping (if i dont get a standalone zappitti nas rip machine!)

 

[Mallers]

It depends on the games you play really (and the resolution), some games would still get a huge boost from a modern graphics card, so in that sense it might well be more noticeable to you.

Still, the CPU is more affordable and reasonably priced right now, plus 8GB is a little painful nowadays.

I think I'd go for the PSU and CPU, memory, motherboard, then you're ready for the next gen cards, possibly looking to buy this time next year.

thx! the most up todate games i have are the warhammer 2 and 3, will pull the trigger (pun very much intended) on sniper elite 5 in a few weeks, and im revisiting arma iii. Good advice re waiting on the video card, hopefully prices will have calmed down a bit by then! Im not bothered about always chasing the best, but given it is a pricey component i dont mind paying for something thats going to last a while (hence, why i still have a 980!)

 

[Mallers]

wow! many thanks for those lists, ill go through them and work out what i can get first! i think as above the mob, cpu, psu and ram / ssd route will be first, then leave a chunk left for the graphics card for a later date. when exactly,depends how much i have left after all my other bills go up! definitely planning on this in stages though, i wont be able to do the lot at once.
Once again, thanks for the replies and the lists!