PC Upgrade Path Suggestions

[dheoxic]

I want to incrementally upgrade my PC [budget issues] and would like to know what should I upgrade first. 
Here are the specs:

Power Supply: Thermaltake Lite Power 650W
Motherboard: ASUS TUF B450M PRO 2
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
GPU: RTX 3050
RAM: 32GB 3200mhz (8x4)
CPU Cooler: DeepCool AK620 Digital
Storage: 1TB SSD(500x2 SATA), 1TB HDD
Monitor: 144hz LG UltraGear 27"

Here are the games I usually play on my free time:
 - Apex Legends
 - Counter Strike 2
 - Minecraft(shaders+mods)
 - Dota 2
 - Call of Duty
 - BF2042

Advice/opinions are greatly appreciated.

[Dukesilver27-]

Most definitely the GPU first.

[dheoxic]

9 minutes ago, Dukesilver27- said:

Most definitely the GPU first.

Thanks. I am planning to upgrade my motherboard first but, can you explain why the GPU?

[WereCat]

5 minutes ago, dheoxic said:

Thanks. I am planning to upgrade my motherboard first but, can you explain why the GPU?

Because most of the games you listed scale quite well with better GPU and 3050 is not that great of a card. 

 

The CPU will hold you back somewhat as well after you upgrade GPU, especially if you want to achieve very high framerates. 

But upgrading CPU alone with no GPU will be of no benefit. 

[BiotechBen]

1 hour ago, dheoxic said:

I want to incrementally upgrade my PC [budget issues] and would like to know what should I upgrade first. 
Here are the specs:

Power Supply: Thermaltake Lite Power 650W
Motherboard: ASUS TUF B450M PRO 2
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
GPU: RTX 3050
RAM: 32GB 3200mhz (8x4)
CPU Cooler: DeepCool AK620 Digital
Storage: 1TB SSD(500x2 SATA), 1TB HDD
Monitor: 144hz LG UltraGear 27"

Here are the games I usually play on my free time:
 - Apex Legends
 - Counter Strike 2
 - Minecraft(shaders+mods)
 - Dota 2
 - Call of Duty
 - BF2042

Advice/opinions are greatly appreciated.

PSU for sure, that thing is a ticking time bomb.

https://cultists.network/140/psu-tier-list/

[191x7]

1 hour ago, dheoxic said:

I want to incrementally upgrade my PC [budget issues] and would like to know what should I upgrade first. 
Here are the specs:

Power Supply: Thermaltake Lite Power 650W
Motherboard: ASUS TUF B450M PRO 2
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
GPU: RTX 3050
RAM: 32GB 3200mhz (8x4)
CPU Cooler: DeepCool AK620 Digital
Storage: 1TB SSD(500x2 SATA), 1TB HDD
Monitor: 144hz LG UltraGear 27"

Here are the games I usually play on my free time:
 - Apex Legends
 - Counter Strike 2
 - Minecraft(shaders+mods)
 - Dota 2
 - Call of Duty
 - BF2042

Advice/opinions are greatly appreciated.

Is your monitor 1080p or 1440p? There are many different LG UG 27" 144Hz monitors.

 

I would agree with the people who replied earlier - the first would be the GPU.

Now, based on your needs, you might need to upgrade the PSU too.

Meaning, if you're on 1440p and need a mid-range card like the Radeon RX 6800XT, then you also should invest in a good stronger PSU.

But, if you're on 1080p, then you don't need a 6800XT or stronger GPU but a 6750XT or such, then your PSU is still fine (although not a great unit).

 

The next upgrade would be the CPU to a Ryzen 7 5700X or 5800X3D.

And some additional storage like an m.2 gen4 drive for the OS.

50 minutes ago, dheoxic said:

Thanks. I am planning to upgrade my motherboard first but, can you explain why the GPU?

Why would you replace your motherboard first? Is it broken?

[SorryBella]

14 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

Why would you replace your motherboard first?

Im gonna guess for 5800X3D? Even that doesnt make sense because the Plus 2 should be able to do it dead stock.

[Somerandomtechyboi]

2 hours ago, dheoxic said:

GPU: RTX 3050

used 6700xt/6800(xt) or a 3070

 

if you are particularly lucky and/or have enough money maybe even a used 3080(ti)/6900xt though these are 300-350w cards so youll have to upgrade the psu

 

usually theres a buncha quality used 750/850w gold units like the rm(x) for ~50$ so dont worry about pricey asf new psus

 

The former cards wont need a psu upgrade as theyre only 200-250w cards which should be fine for that 576w unit (12v rail = 48a which is actual usable wattage)

 

2 hours ago, dheoxic said:

CPU: Ryzen 5 3600

Oc to 4.4-4.6ghz for now with 1.4v vcore no llc (should droop to around 1.34v under load), older samples will struggle to go past 4.4ghz at that volt

 

Used 5600(x) are 80-100$, 5700/5800x are 120-150$, 5800x3d around 200$