I'm considering upgrading my CPU for gaming and a bit of multitasking, but I'm not a heavy multitasker. My current setup includes a 7800X3D, a 9070XT GPU, 64GB of 6000 RAM, and a 4TB SSD. I'm also planning to get a new motherboard and cooler. Is it worth it to switch to a 9950X3D or 9850X3D? How much of a difference would it make in my performance, especially at 3440x1440 resolution?
5 Answers
Going from the 7800X3D to the 9850X3D will feel more like a side-grade than a real upgrade. Unless you're encountering specific performance issues, it might not be worth it. If you're being advised to upgrade by friends, ask them specifically what’s not working with your current setup to make a better decision.
Seriously consider your GPU as being the bottleneck here. Upgrading your graphics card will significantly enhance your gaming experience more than switching CPUs will. If you really multitask heavily with software like Blender, then maybe think about the 9950X3D, but you might just waste your money on the CPU otherwise.
What games are you playing? If you're gaming at 3440x1440, that might change things a bit. But if multitasking for you just means having a few tabs open, you probably don't need to move to a higher-tier CPU. Focus on your GPU for better performance.
I'm primarily playing Marvel Rivals and recently started Nioh 3.
If you're thinking about multitasking and heavy workloads alongside gaming, the 9950X3D is a viable option. Just make sure your motherboard is decent before upgrading. However, if you’re mainly gaming at high resolution, the boost in frames won’t justify the extra cost. Maybe invest in an OLED monitor instead!
If you're mostly running things in the background like Discord and a few browser tabs, the 9850X3D is more than enough. Honestly, the 7800X3D is similar in performance for gaming at 1440p, so it might not be worth upgrading right now. The difference won't be huge unless you're doing heavy CPU tasks.
I've been hearing from friends that I should upgrade to a higher model for better performance, but I'm not sure it's necessary.