Hey everyone! I'm looking to upgrade my computer piece by piece and just switched my GPU from a 3060 Ti to a 9070 XT. I suspect that my current CPU, the Ryzen 7 3800X, might be bottlenecking my gaming performance since I've noticed I'm underperforming in some games. I'm mainly focused on gaming but I also do some 3D art on the side. I'd prefer not to replace my motherboard if I can help it, but I'm open to that option if necessary. Also, just so you know, I'm currently using 16GB of RAM and I'm upgrading to 64GB soon. Any recommendations?
6 Answers
What's your gaming resolution? If you're still on 1080p, you might see bigger gains from optimizing your CPU rather than jumping to 2K.
First of all, make sure your motherboard can support a newer CPU and check if it needs a BIOS update. That could make a big difference!
Good point! I'll definitely look into updating the BIOS before swapping out the CPU.
You might want to consider the Ryzen 5700X. It's been averaging around $130, so it's not a huge upgrade but pretty affordable for what you get.
I recently snagged a 5800X3D for $200 on Facebook Marketplace from someone moving to AM5. It’s a beast! If you can find a good deal, it could be worth it for those extra frames.
Currently, the 5800X is going for about $158 on Amazon. That's probably one of the best value options right now, especially if you can find a 5700X3D or 5800X3D for under $250, but good luck finding one at that price!
If you want top-tier, the 5950X is technically the best but for value, I'd stick with the 5800X or the 5800X3D. They should serve you well without breaking the bank.
I've heard mixed reviews about the 5950X. The 5700X and 5800X are what I've been considering. The X3D version is quite a jump in price; not sure it's worth it for the extra cost.
Yeah, the 5800X3D is pretty pricey—just weigh how much extra performance you really need for your games.

Right now, I’m gaming at 1080p but I'm thinking of upgrading to 2K in the future.