Hey everyone! I'm looking at upgrading my gaming setup and could use some advice. Here's my current setup:
- **CPU:** i9-9900K overclocked to 5.0 GHz
- **Motherboard:** Z390 Aorus Master
- **RAM:** 32 GB-3200MHz
- **GPU:** RTX 3080
- **Monitor:** 2K
I have around **€800** to spend, but I'm torn between a couple of options. I could go for a new CPU and motherboard combo, specifically the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but that would also require new DDR5 RAM.
On the other hand, I could upgrade my GPU, either by getting a used RTX 4080 or a new RTX 5070 Ti that's priced at €950 in local stores. If it's a worthwhile upgrade, I might consider saving up a bit longer for it.
I primarily play newer single-player games and jump into titles like Warzone, PUBG, Tarkov, and Battlefield. While everything runs okay, I'm looking for a bit more performance.
2 Answers
I recommend prioritizing a GPU upgrade. The 5070 Ti or the 9070XT are solid options if you don’t need NVIDIA's specific features for your work. Since you're gaming at 1440p, the GPU will provide a better experience right now, and you can always upgrade the CPU later.
I'd suggest focusing on upgrading your CPU first. The RTX 3080 is still a pretty powerful GPU, but the performance of the i9-9900K is getting outpaced by newer models like the 12600K. You'd see a significant boost in performance with a better CPU, especially for gaming.
Yeah, I just checked, and it looks like the 9900K doesn’t perform as well as the newer CPUs. If you’re not planning on waiting to get a top-tier GPU, you could even look for something like a 9600X to save costs.
That's true! Also, if you're not aiming for the highest-end GPUs, there are definitely good mid-range options that could work well with an upgraded CPU.
That makes a good point! Depending on the games you enjoy, many of them will benefit more from a stronger GPU right now. If you're not into competitive shooters, the CPU can wait.