I'm looking to build a gaming PC with a budget of $2500. I'm considering using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor paired with a 5070 Ti graphics card. However, I'm wondering if I should downgrade the CPU to save costs for a better GPU that would enhance gaming performance. What do you all think?
7 Answers
You might also consider getting a used GPU; mine are second-hand, and I've had no problems despite some driver issues. It could save you a lot!
What games are you planning to play that require more than a 5070 Ti? I’m just curious because my 3070 runs pretty much everything just fine!
Instead of the 9800X3D, consider the 7800X3D; it's cheaper but has similar performance. Also, grab a basic B650 motherboard and a reliable power supply; don’t skimp on that. This should leave you more room for a better GPU. A decent cooler would do, too, you don’t need an oversized AIO cooler!
If you're going 4K gaming, a different setup might be wise. You could opt for the 7700X or 9700X to save some cash for a 5080—those offer around 15% more power for gaming in 4K. But if you want solid performance at 2K and 1080p, sticking with the 9800X3D is a solid choice. Just keep in mind that the GPU can greatly influence your gaming experience too!
You might want to create a PCPartPicker list to make it easier to share and adjust your build. It helps to visualize the components and their compatibility!
I found some parts that aren't listed there, though. It's a bit tricky!
I'm in the same boat! I've been thinking about getting a 5080 with the 9800X3D, but the prices are pretty steep right now. Like, the 5070 Ti is around 800 euros, but the 5080 jumps to about 1200 euros here in Spain, so it’s looking tight!
For what it's worth, I found a tight but decent build under budget on PCPartPicker. Just check the BIOS compatibility for the 9800X3D! You might just be able to squeeze it all in.
I just built a similar setup a couple of weeks ago, and it's fantastic! I wouldn’t recommend downgrading the CPU; it should serve you well for several years. You can always upgrade your GPU later if needed!
I managed to put together a build on PCPartPicker, switching the CPU as you suggested! Here's what I got:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz ($574.99)
- Cooler: Valkyrie Vind 125 SL ($63.12)
- Motherboard: MSI X870 GAMING PLUS WIFI ($269.99)
- RAM: Kingston FURY Beast RGB 32 GB DDR5-6000 CL30 ($119.99)
- Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 250 GB NVME ($74.98)
- GPU: Gigabyte WINDFORCE SFF GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16 GB ($1189.00)
- PSU: Corsair RM850e 850W ($129.99)
Total: $2422.06