Upgrading Your AMD Radeon RX 560 Graphics Card: A Comprehensive Guide
As an amateur enthusiast considering a budget of $400 for a graphics card update, upgrading to the current AMD Radeon RX 560 Series on a ROG CROSSHAIR VI HERO motherboard is a nuanced decision. This motherboard, an A.M. 4 socket X370 chipset from around 2018, presents specific challenges and opportunities. It is essential to consider the current state of your system and how an upgrade can enhance your gaming performance and overall experience.
Your Current System Setup
The ROG CROSSHAIR VI HERO motherboard supports a wide range of CPUs, which significantly impacts gaming performance. Upgrading the BIOS might be necessary, and it's important to check compatibility. For instance, you can run a Ryzen 5 5600 CPU in this motherboard, but it will cost around $90 used. Additionally, a new RX 665T 8GB (approximately $230) and a 550Watt 80 Bronze power supply with a 5-year warranty would complete your upgrade package.
Performance Comparison of Graphics Cards
The RX 560, which was considered decent when it was new, is now obsolete. The RX 665T is approximately 4.8 times faster than the RX 560. Similarly, the RX 6600, another high-performance graphics card, is around 3.9 times faster. Upgrading to an 8 Lane RX 665T or RX 6600 might not be ideal due to the motherboard’s limitation to PCIe Gen 3. However, this limitation is not significant enough to be a noticeable deal breaker.
Upgrade Considerations and Recommendations
For a more viable upgrade, consider using a used RX 570t or an RX 6600, both of which will handle modern games well within the $400 budget. Ensure that your power supply can handle these cards, especially considering that the RX 560 does not require a large power supply. If the power supply is a concern, you might need to invest in a new one.
Considering your build from four years ago with a Ryzen 7 380 and a Crosshair 6 Hero motherboard, your system will work with most graphics cards as long as the power supply supports it. If you have some money left, you could allocate it towards a better CPU or add more RAM to enhance overall system performance.
Top Motherboard and Its Capabilities
The ROG CROSSHAIR VI HERO is a top-tier motherboard, designed with excellent features. Its capabilities are highly dependent on the CPU, monitor, and amount of RAM. For 16GB of RAM and a 1080p monitor, you have a solid foundation for gaming. If you equip your system with a top-tier CPU and a better monitor, you can explore better graphics cards, such as the 760T, which will offer impressive performance gains.
Lastly, the choice of your graphics card depends on your specific needs. If you do not run big, high-demand games, the motherboard’s integrated video might suffice. However, if you need to support multiple monitors, you will need a lower-performance video card. Modern PCs can handle multiple monitors primarily off the motherboard, but your specific needs will dictate the best choice.