Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on whether I should upgrade my graphics card from a 3080 to a 5070 for gaming at 1440p. I purchased my 3080 back in September 2022, and I've been feeling a bit anxious about it because it's nearing three and a half years old. I'm worried it might die soon, and if it does, I'd have to pay a premium for a new card. My CPU is a 5800x3d, and I have 32 GB of 3600Hz RAM. I primarily play RPGs and AAA games. I'm located in Canada and considering my options on Amazon, especially since I get a 10% employee discount. Lately, I've noticed that card prices are rising, and some models are going out of stock. What do you all think? Should I go ahead and upgrade, especially since my card is getting older? Also, I'm looking for suggestions on where to sell my current 3080 other than Facebook Marketplace, because that place is full of scammers! Thanks for your insights!
8 Answers
You might be fine sticking with your 3080. It's a solid card and can handle most games at 1440p. What games are you struggling with?
Honestly, upgrading to the 5070 is more of a sidegrade than a real upgrade. If you're looking for something that really boosts performance, consider the 9070 XT instead for more VRAM.
You’re worrying too much about your card dying! They usually last a lot longer if you’re treating them well. If you're concerned about temps, consider repasting it. My old ones have held up just fine!
Three years for a GPU isn’t anything to fret over! If you're set on upgrading and you’ve got the budget, think about jumping on a 9070 XT soon. Prices are only going up!
A jump to the 5070 doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade, considering it only offers a slight increase in performance. Hold tight and wait until you really feel your card is holding you back before making a call.
I’m in a similar position, and if you enjoy ray tracing, it might be worth a look at the 5070. Otherwise, AMD options give better performance for your money. You could also check sites that handle trade-ins, like Newegg.
If your 3080 is still performing well, I'd suggest holding on to it for another few years. Three years isn't that long for a GPU, and I've seen mine last much longer before needing an upgrade!
Yeah, I'm just really concerned about it being three and a half years old. I love how my 3080 performs, though. So what do you suggest I do?
I think you should aim for at least a 5070 Ti. I have a similar setup, and I'm managing to stretch my 3080 for another couple of years at 4K. If you’re into DLSS, Nvidia is pushing that hard, so keep that in mind. I might hold out for the 6000 series myself, though!
But isn’t the 3090 comparable to the 5070? Seems like a good deal to stick with it for now.
I've heard that the 6000 series has been delayed due to issues with the memory market.

Keep in mind that your CPU and the types of games you play can really influence your decision.