I'm currently using an i5 12400F with a GTX 1650. I'm considering buying a 9070 but to fully utilize its potential, I think I'd also need a 1440p 165Hz monitor to minimize any bottleneck. Alternatively, I could go for a 9060 XT and switch to AM5 with a Ryzen 5 9600X, but that would mean I'd have to stick with my existing 1080p 60Hz monitor. What do you think I should do?
5 Answers
I'd go with the 9070 and a 1440p monitor. At that resolution, your current setup’s limitations will be less of an issue, so you won't feel too hampered by your CPU. If you decide to keep the 1080p for now, then switching platforms and getting the 9060 XT might also be an option, especially since it can handle 1440p gaming just not as well as the 9070.
Both paths could work! If you're mostly gaming at 1080p, the Ryzen 5 9600X with the 9060 XT is nice because you’d get better performance at that resolution. But if you switch to the 9070, you’ll be set up for 1440p gaming since GPUs will generally be more effective at higher resolutions overall.
What’s your main goal with this upgrade? If you're just looking for better performance in games, getting the 9070 and running them at ultra settings on your current 1080p setup could still be pretty fun. Just keep in mind the 9070 might get bottlenecked by your i5.
Exactly! My i5 12400F really starts holding back at 1080p, which is what worries me.
I have a 5070, and it pairs perfectly with my i5-13600KF for 1440p gaming. The 9070 is definitely a solid choice for that resolution, but yeah, you'll want to think about upgrading your CPU later on.
Just grab the 9070 and stick with your i5 for now. Invest in the monitor and save up for a 13600K later. A good BIOS update should allow you to upgrade, and the 13600K is powerful enough to keep up with the latest games.
I was thinking that if I grab the 9070 along with a 1440p monitor, I might face some bottlenecking initially but could upgrade my CPU down the line. But going the other route would eliminate that uncertainty.