Hey everyone! I'm a first-time poster from Canada. I built my PC back in 2019 with a GTX 1660 Ti GPU, an Intel i5 9700 CPU, and 16 GB of 2400 MHz DDR4 RAM. I've been happy with my setup until recently when I switched to a 2K OLED monitor. Now I'm struggling to get decent frame rates, often under 30 FPS even on low settings for games like Horizon Forbidden West. I'm wondering if it's finally time to upgrade my setup. With GPU prices being what they are, I'm not sure where to start. Is a budget of $500 realistic for a GPU upgrade? What should I be looking for in terms of performance, and will it be worth the investment? Any recommendations or advice would really help! Thanks!
5 Answers
If you're talking about 1440p, the 1660 Ti was already a stretch when new. You might want to look into 60-class cards since they tend to be better suited for 1080p gaming. A GPU upgrade is definitely necessary for 1440p gaming without compromising too much on settings.
Your i5 9700 can handle a decent GPU, just not if you're looking for ultra-high FPS. You might want to check out some affordable options like a used 3070 or even a new 5070, if they fit your budget. They’ll definitely make gaming more enjoyable at higher settings, even if not quite 100 FPS consistently.
I’m aiming for more like 60-120 FPS stable with graphics cranked up. Any downside to getting an AMD GPU?
An upgrade to a 9900k might be beneficial too; it would help with any stuttering you’re facing. Especially for Windows 11, hyper-threading can make a difference. Your current setup can manage some solid graphics; maybe focus on optimizing your CPU and getting a newer GPU.
One thing you could do is lower your monitor's resolution, but if you really want to enjoy that 2K display, you might need to upgrade your GPU. Your i5 9700 could bottle-neck newer cards, especially if you're aiming for high frame rates at 1440p. Think about looking for something like a used RTX 3080; it should perform well and give you a noticeable boost without breaking the bank.
That's fair, but I'm worried about the CPU bottlenecking too. Is going for a CPU upgrade worth considering?
I got a 2080 Ti for a decent price and paired it with my 8700k. Overclocking helped me get through demanding games like Cyberpunk at decent settings. If you can swing a whole new platform, AM5 might be worth considering, but if not, a Ryzen 5600x paired with a solid GPU could keep you competitive without emptying your wallet. Just don’t forget to overclock your CPU if you can!
Yep, that’s why I’m considering a new GPU! I want to take full advantage of my new monitor.