Hey everyone! I built my PC back in 2019 using an Intel 9600K with integrated graphics, and then in 2021, I added a 3060 Ti. I've been using it mainly for Premiere and After Effects, and I dabble in Blender too. While I don't game as much as I used to, I enjoy competitive shooters like Valorant, Apex, and CS2. I live close enough to a Microcenter to grab parts, but it's a bit of a trek just to browse. I'm wondering if upgrading to a 7800X3D or 9800X3D would significantly boost my performance for what I do, or if it makes more sense to hold off for now. Any advice would be awesome!
2 Answers
Absolutely, you'd see fantastic gains. You're adding more cores and a significant amount of L3 cache, plus better per-core performance. In your competitive games, you could potentially double your minimum FPS, and rendering times will improve, too. Just to give you an idea, the 5800X3D outperforms the 9900K by about 41% in 1080p gaming, and the 9800X3D is even better!
Upgrading is definitely a good move! If you go for the 9800X3D, it will totally transform your rig – you're looking at a huge performance boost. The 7800X3D is a bit more budget-friendly, but if you're aiming for peak performance, the 9800X3D is the one to beat. Just keep in mind that you'll need a new motherboard and RAM too.
Thanks for the details! I had a couple more questions: At Microcenter, the 9800X3D bundle is $700, while the 9700X is $540. Is that extra cost for the 3D V-cache worth it? Also, I have an older case with a 120mm radiator – will I need a bigger case for the cooling with a new CPU?