Upgrading my desktop

[PadawanRinku]

Budget (including currency): 400-800 (maybe? would love to be cheaper)

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 1440p gaming (only 60hz) - divinity original sin 2, minecraft, witcher 3, star citizen (on free fly weeks lol). Casual graphic design

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

Current Build:

• CPU: 2300X
• Mobo: A320M-HDV
• Ram: 8 GB (2x4, 2133 CL19)
• GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 4GB
• PSU: 500W 80+ Bronze
• Storage: 1TB WD Blue M.2, 1TB HDD

 

Got this prebuilt off craigslist a little while back and have been thinking about the long term upgrades. I've never actually built my own computer and wanted to get some advice on the upgrade path. I know it's not the best time, but I still wanted to get opinions. I was definitely going to upgrade the ram first, at least 16GB, looks like 3600 CL 16 would be a huge QoL upgrade, right? Not sure what would be the next best move, better CPU? I'm pretty sure I can push the 970 a bit more using msi afterburner, and with the GPU market, I assume I should focus on other components

 

Oh also, I'm 100% okay with used parts...I'm a grad student that doesn't get to play as much as I would like to, so I can wait for those deals. Also prefer it from a e-waste standpoint.

 

Any and all help/advice is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance ya'll

 

[curiousmind34]

11 minutes ago, PadawanRinku said:

Budget (including currency): 400-800 (maybe? would love to be cheaper)

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 1440p gaming (only 60hz) - divinity original sin 2, minecraft, witcher 3, star citizen (on free fly weeks lol). Casual graphic design

Other details (existing parts lists, whether any peripherals are needed, what you're upgrading from, when you're going to buy, what resolution and refresh rate you want to play at, etc): 

Current Build:

• CPU: 2300X
• Mobo: A320M-HDV
• Ram: 8 GB (2x4, 2133 CL19)
• GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970 4GB
• PSU: 500W 80+ Bronze
• Storage: 1TB WD Blue M.2, 1TB HDD

 

Got this prebuilt off craigslist a little while back and have been thinking about the long term upgrades. I've never actually built my own computer and wanted to get some advice on the upgrade path. I know it's not the best time, but I still wanted to get opinions. I was definitely going to upgrade the ram first, at least 16GB, looks like 3600 CL 16 would be a huge QoL upgrade, right? Not sure what would be the next best move, better CPU? I'm pretty sure I can push the 970 a bit more using msi afterburner, and with the GPU market, I assume I should focus on other components

 

Oh also, I'm 100% okay with used parts...I'm a grad student that doesn't get to play as much as I would like to, so I can wait for those deals. Also prefer it from a e-waste standpoint.

 

Any and all help/advice is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance ya'll

 

CPU is able to push out 60 fps any game any resolution, upgrade would be graphics card but that isnt in stock/otherwise overpriced.