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What should I upgrade to first, SSD or RAM?

Go to solution Solved by GER_T4IGA,

I think you will get the most out of a faster GPU for gaming.

If you have more VRAM that will also reduce your RAM usage (at least when changing from a low VRAM GPU to a high one).

We don't exactly know what is causing your stuttering. To be more sure i'd at least install MSI aftremurner and check RAM and VRAM usage. 

Generally i'd expect a came to Ust load very slow with an HDD. I haven't heard of many HDD related texture streaming issues or the likes

 

Edit: but to answer your actual question i'd upgrade the RAM up to 16GB if i have an SSD at all. 

My PC Specs are -
CPU - Ryzen 5 2600
GPU - GTX 1660TI
MOBO- MSI B450 PRO VDH PLUS
RAM- Kingston 8gb 2400mhz ram (2x4)
HDD - 1TB WD Purple @5400rpm (wdc wd10PURZ-85U8XYO)
SSD - ADATA 120gb ( on which I have my windows installed)
PSU - Antec 500W

So, I was playing zero horizon dawn complete edition on my pc the other day and I used all high, medium and console setting but in each one of them, my games was stuttering when I used to enter a new location. For a few seconds it used to be very laggy then after some time it gets back to normal and I was getting about 55-75 fps average on the game at high settings. I think it is due to 2 factors my 8GB ram or my slow HDD which is 5400 rpm only. I am thinking about what should I upgrade because I like playing games like these and I am thinking to play cyberpunk 2077. I don't want to go through this horrible experience again but I am limited on budget and can only upgrade one component as of now either a 250GB SSD or 8GB 3000mhz ram. If you think these both components are what causing the issue please tell me which one should I upgrade to first to have the most impact because I can do only one at this time and the other will require at least 6 months to upgrade. Or if you think it is due to any other reason please let me know. I played RDR2 also but I never faced such an issue of having lag when visiting a new place in-game or even lag in the game. Please guide me thank you.
I am considering these for the upgrades -
RAM-
Adata XPG 3000mhz Ram

SSD 240GB -
Crucial SSD
WD Green SSD
Kingston SSD

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I think you will get the most out of a faster GPU for gaming.

If you have more VRAM that will also reduce your RAM usage (at least when changing from a low VRAM GPU to a high one).

We don't exactly know what is causing your stuttering. To be more sure i'd at least install MSI aftremurner and check RAM and VRAM usage. 

Generally i'd expect a came to Ust load very slow with an HDD. I haven't heard of many HDD related texture streaming issues or the likes

 

Edit: but to answer your actual question i'd upgrade the RAM up to 16GB if i have an SSD at all. 

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Of the two choices, I'd get RAM first.

 

You might be able to use that RAM module if you put the 8 GB in one channel and the 2x 4 GB in the other, but there is a chance that the RAM won't be compatible. And, of course, having 16 GB of not very fast RAM is preferable to 8 GB of fast RAM.

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Imho probably Ram, and either turn the 120gb a data into a cache for your HD, or install stuff on it besides the OS. The low SSD size affects how many games you can have loaded on it but does not affect game speed. 120gb isn’t a lot but it’s a lot better than no SSD at all.  Some games do fine with 8gb.  Some don’t though, and when they do they generally need to have NOTHING else running in the background. 

Not a pro, not even very good.  I’m just old and have time currently.  Assuming I know a lot about computers can be a mistake.

 

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I'd get a second stick of ram first

Hi

 

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I'd suggest the least expensive of 2x4GB or 2x8GB DDR4-2400 or faster memory. Memory will always run at the lowest module speed and timings. There is little point in getting anything faster than what is installed. However, memory is a volume business and sometimes faster parts cost less because they are currently the most popular.

 

With more memory the system  can have larger storage buffers which will help improve hdd access performance.

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@anmols344Where is your game installed on? By any chance the slow 5400 RPM HDD, rather than the SSD?

If you are stuttering / lagging when entering a new location, than that is storage related. The game is loading the new map location in the background.

If that is the case, getting a new graphics card or CPU won't solve that problem; moving the game onto a faster drive is the solution.

 

Also, as mentioned already, check your RAM usage.

If you run out of RAM, then Windows will pagefile from RAM onto the SSD / HDD.

Compared to RAM, SSD / HDD is snail sloooow.

If you are running out of RAM, consider a RAM upgrade as well.

Double up with either another 8GB (4GB X2) kit for a total of 16GB, or replace with a 16GB (8GB X 2) kit....or go 24GB (existing 8GB + new 16GB).

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Thank you everyone for your answers really helped a lot. I opened Horizon zero dawn again while using the MSI afterburner, at high settings GPU was about 75-90% and CPU was around 40-60% but my RAM usage was 7GB and I think it is what causing the issue when I visit a settlement in the game because recommended RAM is 16gb. So, I will be upgrading my RAM as of now because for Cyberpunk recommended requirements are met by my system expect the RAM and I will be upgrading to a 240gb SSD later for game storage later. Thank you everyone for the advice and help.

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